Dive: My Adventures In the Deep Frontier (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Marine biologist Earle (Sea Change) makes a compelling argument that the ocean, rather than space, is the next frontier waiting to be explored in this personable photoessay. In the opening chapter, Earle tells how her curiosity about what lives in the sea was first sparked and describes her delight at early underwater excursions using a snorkel and, later, scuba gear. Four subsequent chapters recount seminal events in Earle's career: studying whales in their natural habitats from Hawaii to Glacier Bay, Alaska; spending two weeks working as an "aquanaut" in the Tektite underwater laboratory, 50 feet below the surface of the ocean; sporting a special underwater diving suit called "Jim" (originally designed for salvage operations) to conduct research at 1250 feet; and helping to create Deep Rover, a mini-submarine able to descend to depths of 3000 feet. The book's final chapter, a plea for protecting the earth's oceans from becoming a dumping ground, is eloquent but does not flow naturally from the rest of the book. Earle writes with immediacy and specificity; readers will feel as if they are swimming along beside her as she forays into the ocean's darkest depths. Close-ups of a humpback whale's tail or a jellyfish illustrate points in the text; photographs like the one of Earle walking the sea floor off of the Bahama Islands in her "Jim" diving suit next to an American flag drive home her point that sea and space are equally worth exploring. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Earle uses a winning combination of factual information and genuine enthusiasm to encourage a new generation of aquanauts. After describing her early interest in the sea and her first scuba dive ("...in my mind I had been transformed irreversibly into a sea creature who henceforth would spend part of the time above water"), the marine biologist shares some of her experiences. She traveled from Hawaii to Alaska to study humpback whales; lived and worked for two weeks in an underwater laboratory; descended 1250 feet in an astronautlike deep-diving suit to do research; and helped design, build, and man a submersible called Deep Rover. Whether she is describing an intimate moment of communication with a giant whale or relating her startling discovery of a "strange creature" at 3000 feet (it turned out to be a soda can), Earle interests, entertains, and informs readers. The final chapter makes a gentle plea for protecting marine habitats. Large, full-color, carefully captioned photographs provide a porthole into the wonders of the sea, showing the variety of life on a coral reef or a jellyfish moving through open water. A respectful, sincere, and inviting look at the final frontier.
Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792271440
• ISBN-13: 978-0792271444
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,085 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative Fun, December 9, 2001

By A Customer

Earle has done a wonderful job of introducing readers to the joy of exploring both the oceans and personal goals. Earle uses a conversational tone with stunning photos in this autobiographical tale. Both children (9-12 is the target age and as a read aloud for younger children) and their parents will find this to be an excellent gateway into the underwater world. Budding marine biologists will marvel as their dreams (like swimming with whales) are described. They will finish the book with their own dreams reinforced.