Genre: Nonfiction - Informational
Awards: "Best Book of 2004" from the Miami Herald, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Kirkus Review, Natural History Magazine, etc.
Summary: The Race to Save the Lord God Bird is a fascinating book that begins with the Native Americans prizing the plumage and head of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker through the artistry of James Audobon painting the bird, through countless hunters who killed the birds by the dozens, to early conservationists and students today who work tirelessly to find and save the species. This is the story of consumers and how our throw-away society has brought this bird to extinction. The stories are rivoting and make you crave more information of any hope for finding the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker alive somewhere.
Reaction: This book was one that I didn't think I would like very well, but proved me wrong. It kept me reading as it focused on first one person or group who prized the bird and how they used it to the adventures that conservationists have had and continue to have as they work to find/preserve the species, if that is still possible. As an adult I found the book to be compelling.
Recommended to: While students in 5th and 6th grades would find the book challenging to read, those students who are already avid environmentalists would devour the book. Probably students in grades 7-12 who are interested in nature, birds, and conservation would be the best audience to recommend this book to.
Book Talk Hook: Have you ever wondered how animals have become endangered or extinct? Here is a fascinating history of one species that has been driven to extinction.
2 comments:
It does sound interesting. I have recently taken an interest in bird watching and I am so in awe of what I don't know. Think I'll check this book out...
I also really enjoyed this book. It made me what to know more, so I spent time researching the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker. I have enjoyed following the recent sightings in Florida and the debate about if it was really an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker or a Pileated Woodpecker.
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