Frydenborg,
Kay. Wild
Horse Scientists. Houghton Mifflin 2012 80p ISBN 978-0-547-51831-2 series:
Scientists In the Field (HM)#8 ms/jr Hardback E-BNS
Nonfiction
Misty of Chincoteague fans will immediately be drawn to this engaging nonfiction book. Author Kay Frydenborg provides an interesting
contrast to the fictional tale by offering a rare window onto the wild herds of
Assateague Island, as well as a nod to the Pryor Mountain wild horse herds of Montana. Frydenborg tracks the diligent search of doctors Ron Keiper and Jay Kirkpatrick for a method to control the
population of wild horse herds through contraceptive hormones (via the drug
PZP), while continuing to maintain
the balance of the island’s delicate ecosystem.
The book delves into information on wild horses as well as general information on horses, their history, and related horse topics. But the focus is on the scientists who study wild horses and their dedicated studies to help control the animals’ overpopulation through contraception. Due to the well-written commentary and amazing photography, readers will find themselves fascinated with a topic that receives little middle-school exposure. Frydenberg’s discussion of birth control is covered in an age-appropriate manner, focusing on preventing conception and not on the act leading to pregnancy.
In the end, however, it is the polished layout and dynamic selection of outstanding, color-saturated photographs (many attributed to Mike Francis, Amy Jacobs, and Allison Turner) that will have readers returning to the book over and over again. The scientists and the horses are represented in a balanced way, without flinching from difficult realities. (For example, photographs of dead horses are included.) The breath-taking photographs capture the spirit of the wild horses; from these pictures, the reason for Keiper and Kirkpatrick’s passion for both the animals and their scientific pursuits is abundantly clear.
A glossary, an index, and a resource list, accompanied by a list of places to view wild horses and agencies devoted to wild horse conservation, round out the slim volume. Cross-curricular applications for Wild Horse Scientists include biology, history, and literature. This book is highly recommended for inclusion in all middle-school and public-library collections.
The book delves into information on wild horses as well as general information on horses, their history, and related horse topics. But the focus is on the scientists who study wild horses and their dedicated studies to help control the animals’ overpopulation through contraception. Due to the well-written commentary and amazing photography, readers will find themselves fascinated with a topic that receives little middle-school exposure. Frydenberg’s discussion of birth control is covered in an age-appropriate manner, focusing on preventing conception and not on the act leading to pregnancy.
In the end, however, it is the polished layout and dynamic selection of outstanding, color-saturated photographs (many attributed to Mike Francis, Amy Jacobs, and Allison Turner) that will have readers returning to the book over and over again. The scientists and the horses are represented in a balanced way, without flinching from difficult realities. (For example, photographs of dead horses are included.) The breath-taking photographs capture the spirit of the wild horses; from these pictures, the reason for Keiper and Kirkpatrick’s passion for both the animals and their scientific pursuits is abundantly clear.
A glossary, an index, and a resource list, accompanied by a list of places to view wild horses and agencies devoted to wild horse conservation, round out the slim volume. Cross-curricular applications for Wild Horse Scientists include biology, history, and literature. This book is highly recommended for inclusion in all middle-school and public-library collections.
Summary: Scientists in the Field, an
exceptional nonfiction series, has another outstanding addition to offer: Wild
Horse Scientists. This book describes the efforts of
scientists to control overpopulation of the wild horse herds in North America.
Wild horses --Hilary
Welliver
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