Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid [Hardcover]

HP Newquist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2010 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

HP Newquist's fast-paced account reveals how long-ago myths about the kraken transformed into the modern study of Architeuthis dux, the giant squid.Weaving scientific discovery with historical accounts—along with the giant squid’s appearance in film and literature—Here There Be Monsters explores the mystery of this creature in fascinating detail. Readers will find that the monster remains hidden no longer, because scientists have finally seen the kraken with their own eyes . . . alive and rising up out of the sea.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6–The title of this fascinating chronicle of giant and colossal squids comes from the warnings placed by early mapmakers to alert sailors about unknown territories and dangers, and the prologue starts things off with a scary story about sighting a mysterious and terrifying sea monster. Each chapter continues the richly detailed story as humans explored and learned more about its life forms. The narrative builds suspense as scientists throughout the world gathered information from sightings and discoveries of body pieces washed up on shore. Full-color photographs, drawings, and reproductions of historical maps and posters amplify the text throughout. Size comparisons to familiar objects provide instant recognition, e.g., the eye of the colossal squid can be more than a foot wide and resemble a beach ball. The last chapters describe and illustrate the exciting recent global efforts that have led to amazing discoveries. A bibliography and detailed index add to the usefulness of this book for reports, but this title will engage general readers with its wealth of historical and scientific information about these fearsome animals.Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

This intriguing book offers a chronological account of giant squids, beginning with sailors’ tales about krakens and leading up to the groundbreaking discoveries of the past few decades. Following the dramatic prologue, in which readers are asked to imagine themselves centuries ago on a sailing ship attacked by a sea monster with many-clawed tentacles, the book incorporates legend, history, popular culture, and science into a sometimes fascinating story. Newquist, who also wrote The Great Brain Book (2004), clearly describes the challenges faced by scientists in recent years, searching for elusive giant squids in the ocean depths and, later, studying their bodies in the lab. The many illustrations, in color when available, include photos, engravings, and maps. Although there are no source notes, the acknowledgments section references several scientists who provided information. Readers motivated to learn more about giant squids are referred to two adult books and five Internet sites. An attractive, informative book on an underrepresented topic. Grades 5-8. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (August 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547076789
• ISBN-13: 978-0547076782
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 10.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Boats & Ships
  • #76 in Books > Children's Books > History > Exploration & Discovery
  • #89 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Water

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Myths, Legends, Reality, June 24, 2010

By 

Orianna (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This is an excellent resource for anyone looking into the history of the giant and/or colossal squid. The book is aimed at younger readers, but as an adult I found it interesting and informative.

First, it delves into the centuries-old legends of the Kraken and other sea monsters that are believed to have their origins with the giant or colossal squid. It examines modern stories and films that have featured a giant squid, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Until recent centuries, the giant squid was thought to be nothing more than a sailor's legend, but the book talks about the first specimens to be washed up on shore, or caught in fishermen's nets, finally proving--without doubt--the existence of the giant squid. It then details the various expeditions that set out to capture a live creature, and culminates with the first photographs taken of a live giant squid. What was once merely legend or myth has finally been proved a reality--a creature that lives at impossible depths of the ocean! It also briefly touches on the colossal squid, a much larger and fiercer relative to the giant squid.

From myth to reality, this book chronicles the story of the giant squid in a captivating and easy-to-read format. It is fully realized with illustrations and photographs, making it an immersing experience. Highly recommended if you like myths, marine biology, or simply a fascinating story of how legend was finally proved true.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "An Awesome Book that Smart Kids Will Love", September 22, 2010

By 

M. T. Vancampen (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

I got this book for my 9 year-old son, who was very interested in sea creatures--both mythical and real--at the time I ordered it. He found the information about the representation of the Giant Squid and Kraken in art and literature throughout history fascinating. As he read it, he would scream out facts and read passages to me. This portion of the book inspired him to start asking questions about _Moby Dick_ and _20,000 Leagues Under the Sea_. After he finished this, we read the latter title together. This--in my book--is a good thing. Any book that inspires kids to read more deeply gets a good grade from me. From there, he shares that the booked focused on scientific information and modern day discoveries about the Giant Squid. He found the book so fascinating that I found him reading it long after bed time and "lights out". When I asked him to describe the book in ten words or less, he responded: "An awesome book that smart kids will love".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what children's non-fiction should be, August 19, 2010

By 

M. Garrison (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This book does an amazing job of weaving together the myths, history, and science around the legendary kraken and the very real giant sea squid. The writing is engaging without watering the material down, and the pictures and illustrations add a lot to the telling, with many drawn from some very cool old sources. Overall, I could see the book being appealing to anyone from 8 or 9 up through adults - it could be a great read-aloud with children at the younger end of that range, although older children might be initially turned off by the fact that the book has a horizontal format like a picture book.

As a side note, I could see this as being an amazing book for homeschooling families, especially those looking for "living books" or a great core for a unit study.