In Jean Craighead George's new picture book, Nutik the wolf pup and Amaroq the Inupiat Eskimo boy, two characters recently added to the world of picture books, find more adventures on the tundra of Alaska's North Slope. Nutik and Amaroq's story began in JULIE'S WOLF PACK, the third novel in Ms. George's young adult series that follows JULIE and the 1973 Newbery Medal-winning classic JULIE OF THE WOLVES. Last year the first picture book specifically about Amaroq (Julie's little brother, who is named after the heroic wolf who saved Julie's life when she was lost on the tundra) and Nutik (the mischievous pup who is the grandson of Amaroq the wolf) came out, entitled NUTIK, THE WOLF PUP. Its story concerned Amaroq's caring for the pup when he was sick, Amaroq's sadness when he is told that Nutik must go back to his wild kind, and his joy when Nutik returns to the boy. I was not so fond of the story; I was not very happy with the illustrations or the overall content of the story--it lacked the beauty and excitement of the Julie novels. But, like the ice and cold of Arctic winter turning to the brilliance of summer, NUTIK AND AMAROQ PLAY BALL is a welcome relief. In it, the two friends enjoy playing football, when their favorite toy mysteriously disappears. Together, Nutik and Amaroq wander off onto the tundra to search for it. Amaroq, like his big sister did in JULIE OF THE WOLVES, learns to listen carefully to Nutik's behavior for clues to the whereabouts of the football. He listens also to the birds and all the creatures of the tundra when he and Nutik become lost, and eventually, by playing careful attention to each other and to their natural surroundings, they find their way home. I enjoyed this story more than NUTIK, THE WOLF PUP for several reasons. I thought the illustrations by Ted Rand were much improved, more interesting and eye-catching--just lovely. Also the tale was simpler and has a good lesson that is often found in Ms. George's other books about the importance of nature and the value of our cooperation with it. Children should be able to understand and enjoy this book better. It rights the terrible fictional wrongs about wolves that can be found in LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, etc., and can teach young readers about how every living thing should be treated with respect and love. Each one of Jean Craighead George's eighty+ novels teach these valuable lessons. Some recent books of hers include HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOG, the teachings of which can be traced back to the communication of wolves that is discussed in the Julie books; new editions of the popular MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN TRILOGY; ARCTIC SON, about her grandson who lives in the Arctic; the ECOLOGICAL MYSTERIES series--and many, many more. Great books with great lessons; NUTIK AND AMAROQ PLAY BALL is evidence of these.

Amoraq, the little Eskimo boy and his best friend, Nutik, the wolf pup are outside for a day of play. They decide to look for their lost football and wander out onto the tundra, farther and farther away from their village. With Nutik's keen sense of smell, they find their football and play the morning away. But as morning turns to afternoon, Amoraq becomes afraid that they are lost. He can't see his village, or smell its smells. It is then he remembers what his namesake, the great wolfpack leader, taught his sister, Julie, many years ago...look to nature for help..... Jean Craighead George has written a delightful and engaging sequel to Nutik, The Wolf Pup. Her great love and respect for nature really shines through in this picture book and her gentle text is beautifully depicted in Ted Rand's magical and evocative artwork. Together, they transport readers to the top of the world, Alaska, and invite young imaginations to soar. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Nutik & Amoraq Play Ball is the second book in this wonderful series for younger readers, written with great insight, wisdom and humor.

Naturalist and award-winning author Jean Craighead George offers children a smoothly written account of the wildlife, both big and small, which inhabits the alpine tundra of Wyoming. The talents that won her the Newbery Medal for JULIE OF THE WOLVES and have helped her write nearly one hundred other marvelous environmental stories for young readers swing into action. On a mountaintop in the Teton Mountains, a great rock stands regally above the almost treeless landscape, and it is about to fall. A wide variety of rodents, birds, and mammals go about their daily business, unaware of the avalanche that will soon take place. Water pipits hop like sparrows across the ground; a sleepy marmot begins his time of hibernation; a golden eagle scans his kingdom, searching for prey. And a stranger to the area, a boy named Johnny, wakes up in his tent. This quiet story, which turns exciting when the rock tips, is a fascinating look into a unique environment. The human character in the story never manages to take over, as sometimes happens in some of Ms. George's other books. The accurate, interesting writing is reminiscent of Ms. George's earlier series about specific ecosystems, like the Thirteen Moons series, about the seasonal changes that take place with thirteen animals in thirteen environments. These books are now out-of-print, but one gets the same sense of fascination and new understanding of the animal world through the One Day series (you can find my review of the Thirteen Moons series by searching for the book THE MOON OF THE OWLS). The other books in the ONE DAY series are: ONE DAY IN THE. . .PRAIRIE, DESERT, TROPICAL RAIN FOREST, and WOODS. Jean Craighead George's dramatic words are also strengthened by Walter Gaffney-Kessell's expressive illustrations. Come to a whole new land with this fine, short but thourough investigation into one of nature's greatest landscapes.

This nonfiction book is presented very well to its readers because the author, Jean George, spent many hours observing the animals and plants in the tundra. As a naturalist and an animal lover, George gives an excellent idea of how life would be in the Alpines. Because of the short chapters, it's easy for the younger readers to follow along with. Also, unfamiliar words are defined within the reading as well. The book describes the effects on wildlife, trees, and plants due to the climate and geological disasters, which occur in the tundra. This makes for a very informative book, which is also filled with excellent reference aids. These include the complete Bibliography of books about animals that were used to create this particular book. This helps establish credibility for the author. Also, a very helpful index is available at the end of the work as well.

The book also contains excellent illustrations. The pictures convey a vivid image of the lifestyle of the seven specific mammals that are fit to inhabit this area of land. The pictures clarify themselves without any needed captions to explain them. The cover of the book is very enticing to children because of the animals and the mountaintop landscape that are displayed on the front. It is a very attractive book that is sure to be enjoyed by its readers, both young and old.

When using this in the classroom, encourage the students to draw their own pictures to help explain what life would be like on the tundra. They can include plants and animals to show the interrelationship of each one upon the other after reading the book.

I had been waiting a long time for the release of the newest novel by Jean Craighead George for several reasons. One, I have been an avid reader of her books for a long time, two, it had been 3 years since she had published a novel, and three, the new book took place in my homeland of Georgia; to be more exact, the setting is the spectacular Okefenokee Swamp just north of the Georgia-Florida border. I was not disappointed. TREE CASTLE ISLAND is very special. It is an intriguing book that has similarities to some classic adventure stories, while other aspects of it are fresher and broader. In it, we meet a 14-year-old boy, Jack, who loves the outdoors, even though he lives in the big, busy city of Atlanta. It is a treat for Jack to be able to visit his Uncle Hamp while his parents are in Europe. Hamp, too, likes nature and allows Jack to be indepedent. Soon Jack has fashioned a handsome homemade canoe he calls "L'tle Possum", and he sets out to do some exploring in the great habitat surrounding Uncle Hamp's home. In a short time Jack (and the reader, too) has become enchanted with the vast Okefenokee. When an accident damages "L'tle Possum", Jack must learn to fend for himself on an island. Like Sam Gribley from the beloved MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN trilogy, Jack is a strong, industrious teenager. While most kids might give up hope in such a predicament, Jack quickly takes control, turning the island into a liveable home. While on the island, he makes some new animal friends--including a dog named Dizzy who looks strangely familiar--and discovers some bizarre mysteries. There are clues that there is other life hanging around the island besides Jack; it's evident in the strange cries that echo throughout the swamp, the debris scattered around camp, and the odd behavior of Dizzy. Then, one day, Jack meets a kid just like him; looks just like him, acts just like him, and thinks just like him, even has a name (Jake) like his! Slowly the boys come to realize that they must be long-lost twins. Frustrated with his parents for never telling him he was adopted, or that he had an identical brother, Jack decides to remain on the island with Jake. The boys turn their camp into a paradise that any nature lover would envy, complete with a house in the trees, wild animals for companions, and catfish and plants for food. The sights, sounds, and life of the swamp are wonderfully weaved into the plot, and even with such a unique situation, the realistic side of the story is never lost. The book is moderately paced, rising to a gripping climax toward the end. It makes a great read for people who are passionate about the swamplands or who, like me, would enjoy learning more about it. I have lived in Georgia ten years and with TREE CASTLE ISLAND I still learned a great deal about the nearby Okefenokee and the people, wildlife, and legends of this state. That's one of the great things about the books of Jean Craighead George--you learn something, or many new things, in each story. If you enjoyed this book I would recommend MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, a 1959 Newbery Honor book that helps to prove that even after so long, Ms. George's adventure books have not lost their touch, and its sequels, ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN and FRIGHTFUL'S MOUNTAIN. Each book gives a descriptive account of living as a beneficiary and a part of nature, sort of, Thoreau for kids. THE TALKING EARTH is a beautiful book about a girl who, like Jack, paddles out into another place of trees, grass and water, the Everglades. Also check out a stunning picture book called EVERGLADES, illustrated by Wendell Minor, the prolific artist who did the captivating cover of TREE CASTLE ISLAND (the team also have a great new picture book out, entitled CLIFF HANGER). Read any one of Ms. George's stunning books--whether a survival story like TREE CASTLE ISLAND, a picture book like EVERGLADES, or an epic like the JULIE OF THE WOLVES trilogy--and you are sure to be dazzled by your new knowledge and understanding of a natural treasure.

My brother and I read this book a little while ago and loved it. Unlike My Side of the Mountain, Jack makes mistakes and does things that everybody can do and does. I liked his relationship with animals how he had great knowledge of the swamp.

This beautiful picture book begins as Rebecca's grandmother sits down to write Rebecca a letter about the changes she sees around her as Winter arrives. Grandmother writes an interesting tale about the Solstices and explains how Winter actually began at Midsummer and how the light actually begins its journey back to fullness in the depths of Winter. The writing is lyrical and lovely and the illustrations are colorful and lively and filled with details of the natural world. It is a loving, poetical tale rather than a scientific approach to the Soltices, yet it is informative as well as engaging. Grandmother describes the various wildlife around her home as they experience winter, while tying it in to Rebecca's own experiences. Gradually, page by page, just like the light returning, Grandmother ushers spring back in. This is a gentle, subtle picture book that will get children thinking.

This book is about the Summer Solstice being the beginning of "winter" and the Winter Solstice being the turning point for longer days and eventually summer. It is a scicence picture book and I recommended it for students in the 2nd and 3rd grades.

I found this beautifully illustrated book to be a gentle reminder of the circular nature of our changing seasons. It is quite useful as a classroom resource for tying letter writing to science. Even first grade readers were appreciative of the of the text when read aloud.

Tom Sawyer is the first great coming of age American novel. In addition, Tom Sawyer is one of the most endearing characters in American fiction. This wonderful book deals with all the challenges that any young person faces, and resolves them in exciting and unusual ways.

Like many young people, Tom would rather be having fun than going to school and church. This desire to enjoy life is always getting him into trouble, from which he finds unusual and imaginative solutions. One of the great scenes in this book has Tom persuading his friends to help him whitewash a fence by making them think that nothing could be finer than doing his punishment for playing hooky from school. When I first read this story, it opened up my mind to the potential power of persuasion.

Tom also is given up for dead and has the unusual experience of watching his own funeral and hearing what people really thought of him. That's something we all should be able to do. By imagining what people will say at our funeral, we can help establish the purpose of our own lives. Mark Twain has given us a powerful tool for self-examination in this wonderful sequence.

Tom and Huck Finn also witness a murder, and have to decide how to handle the fact that they were not supposed to be there and their fear of retribution from the murderer, Injun Joe.

Girls are a part of Tom's life, and Becky Thatcher and he have a remarkable adventure in a cave with Injun Joe. Any young person will remember the excitement of being near someone they cared about alone in this vignette.

Tom stands for the freedom that the American frontier offered to everyone. His aunt Polly represents the civilizing influence of adults and towns. Twain sets up a rewarding novel that makes us rethink the advantages of both freedom and civilization. In this day of the Internet frontier, this story can still provide valuable lessons about listening to our inner selves and acting on what they have to say. Enjoy looking for fun in new ways!

This is the classic tale of a boy's life in St. Petersburg, Missouri (based on Mark Twain's [Samuel L. Clemens] home town of Hannibal, Missouri), on the banks of the Mississippi River (I believe the time frame is pre-Civil War). The original manuscript of "Tom Sawyer" was the first American novel to be submitted to a publisher in typewritten form. Tom is living in the house of his Aunt Polly with the irritating Sid, who turns him in for playing hooky from school. Tom's punishment is to whitewash a thirty-yard fence, nine feet high. With legendary skill and deviousness, he is able to get his friends to complete the onerous task! Later, he and his good friend Huck Finn go to a graveyard to swing a dead cat (to get rid of warts). They witness Injun Joe murder the town doctor and see Joe set up the evidence to appear that the drunken Muff Potter is the assailant. The boys hide out on Jackson's Island and the town believe them drowned. Of course, at their funeral they appear, falling right into the middle of the ceremony. At the trial of Muff Potter, Tom proves Potter innocent; but, Injun Joe escapes. At a town picnic, the boys (as well as Tom's girl Becky Thatcher) get lost in a cave, find Joe's treasure, are rescued, and become heroes. And, unfortunately, respectable. Tom and Huck represent typical boys, having their own adventures and dreams. It is sad to think that, in today's world of behavioral psychologists, counselors, and some teachers, both Tom and Huck would be considered abnormal and some physicians might even prescribe certain drugs to "calm them down." And, they are just being boys. The adventurous spirit of Tom and Huck should be celebrated, not repressed! Not enough adults read "Tom Sawyer" or "Huckleberry Finn."

I would recomend Tom Sawyer to anyone around the ages of nine to twelve years of age.The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a book best for children. This is a book best for children because it is about a young rambunctious boy who gets into trouble all the time. Tom Sawyer is a normal boy.
Many exciting things happen in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In the beggining of the book Tom tricks his friends into white washing the fence for him.Tom falls in love,gets engaged with Becky Thatcher,and chases a box of gold. In church a dog makes a bad choice to bothera pinch bug and gets pinched and the dog runs around the church howling. And much more.
I learned that back then kids could be kids. Not like now when everyone expects you to act like you are twenty-five when your only twelve.The Adventures of Tom Sawyer tought me many things.

When asked to review Julie of the Wolves, my son wrote:

When I first started Julie of the Wolves, I had no idea what to expect. I was in for a big surprise. I've read two other books by Jean Craighead George, both quite different than this book in two ways: First, Sam (of My Side of the Mountain and its sequel, The Far Side of the Mountain) chooses to leave the modern world and live in the wilderness, whereas Julie is running away from a marriage when she gets lost in the wilderness on the way to Point Hope, where her pen-pal lives. (It was news to me that Eskimos married at thirteen. I doubt anyone would even think of marrying that early these days.) Second, the protagonist of Julie of the Wolves is a girl. (Sam, of course, is a boy, although both characters are roughly the same age.) This book is realistic. Everything Miyax/Julie does to survive seems sensible and what I would do if I got lost in the wilderness. At the bookstore, don't pass by this book. Pick it up and read the back. It should spark your interest. (For more cool reads, check out the other books I've reviewed.)

Julie of the Wolves is a wonderful story full of nature and excitement. It tells the story of a young Eskimo girl who runs away from an unhappy marriage. She takes off for San Francisco to stay with her pen pal. Alaska is a tough scary place, especially if you're lost! Miyax got lost, and was running out of food. She remembered the stories her father used to tell her before he got lost. Stories of how he got the wolves to help him get food. She could do that no problem, right? Wrong! He never told her how he talked to them and told them he needed help. Can Miyax learn the language of the wolves, or will she die in the wild? Read this adventure and find out for yourself.

Julie, an Inuit Eskimo from Alaska, is born with the name Miyax. Because her mother dies when Miyax is barely four years old, Miyax's father, Kapugen, brings her up in the traditional Eskimo ways and teaches her a life of co-existence with the natural world. When Miyax is nine years old, her Aunt takes her away from her father because Julie is suppose to go to school. There she is around Americanized Eskimos, who call her Julie, and she starts to believe that she has lived a strange life with her father in the Alaskan wilderness. At thirteen, Julie finds herself in a bad situation and attempts to run away to San Francisco where her pen pal lives. Even though Julie is running away from her Eskimo upbringing, she winds up depending on the ways of her people. Out in the wilderness, she learns a lot about who she is. This book is about discovery and acceptance as Julie defines herself through her own culture and becomes Miyax again. Jean Craighead George interprets a particular culture, Inuit Eskimo, and defines it throughout the story. Julie, as a young girl, learns the importance of her culture and the process of identifying herself within it. However, Julie, as an adolescent, rebels against her culture because it has become out-of-date and is considered old fashion to live as the traditional Eskimo's once did. Julie learns from the American Eskimo kids about the modern world and about a life that is much different than what she is used to. Julie also has a pen pal who lives in San Francisco who has been sending Julie pictures of her home and telling her about strange and beautiful things that Julie wants to see. She begins to believe that the way she was brought up was, indeed, very strange and therefore not the way that she wants to live anymore. However, on her quest to live in San Francisco, Julie finds herself lost and she has nothing but herself and the wilderness to keep her alive. Drawing on her Inupiat Eskimo upbringing and believing in the Eskimo ways of intelligence, fearlessness, and love, Julie learns to see her people's ways as the way she wants to live. Julie becomes Miyax again, and talks to the wolves, as her father taught her, and gains their trust so that they help her to survive. Julie realizes that she doesn't want to live in San Francisco with all their modern ways and searches to find a traditional Eskimo settlement. Miyax discovers that her father is alive and that he was the man in the helicopter who killed Amaroq, the dominant wolf, for sport. At first when Miyax came across the Eskimo settlement, that her father is living at, she is excited to go back to her heritage. However, she discovers that he is living with a Gussak, an American Eskimo, and that he is no longer living the life of a traditional Eskimo but has become Americanized, and she learns the truth about the man who killed Amaroq. Miyax feels betrayed and leaves her father's home, only to realize that she has no other choice but to live as the people of the Eskimo Settlement do. I believe that Jean Craighead George does a fantastic job of portraying a young girl who is trying to find herself and in doing so, Julie explores her culture and is able to define herself within it. Julie figures out what she really wants and why because of this. In the beginning of the book, Julie is running away from her upbringing and running toward a modern new world. Julie chooses, in the end, to embrace her traditional upbringing and finds peace within herself and an acceptance of herself that she so needs. An acceptance that is so strong that even the thought of living in a village that desecrates many of the thinks Inuit Eskimos believe in, she is still strong enough to know who she is inside and decides to live with her father. Living as an Americanized Eskimo cannot brake down her beliefs or take away her true heritage, which she has gained strength from and a sense of herself.

I thoguht this book was OK but could've been better. It has an exiting plot wiht a hunter trying to hunt the gator[dajun] but the ending is so typical. They end up finding...oops I shouldn't give away the story...but the book's ending is not as fun as it could've been. But if you love animals and a good mystery you should definitly read this book.

This fascinating novel is for anyone who has ever fallen in love with a wild place, with a wild animal, or who is concerned about our jeopardized natural world. Only Jean Craighead George could write such a comprehensible and informative children's book about nature. While they're not JULIE OF THE WOLVES or MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, Ms. George's Ecological Mysteries Series are sure to be enjoyable for any naturalist--inspiring and educational. In THE MISSING 'GATOR OF GUMBO LIMBO, Liza K. Poole lives with her mother and some eccentric neighbors in the heart of the Florida Everglades. (Anyone who was born to live in a tent and fish for food will be envious of this "wild" lifestyle.) When the woods peoples' "dragon", a regal alligator, disappears, they begin to try to track down the great beast, especially Liza K. A ranger is after the gator, for he has been frightening nearby home-dwellers, and should be shot. Liza K. and her unique friends--including a talkative African gray parrot-- go through a series of clues to find out where the gator has disappeared to. The ending, I admit, is slightly disappointing--the threat of the ranger seems to be forgotten after the gator is found, Liza K. and her neighbors must abandon their way of life--but all in all, it's a fine read. The other Eco-Mysteries should be kept in mind--WHO REALLY KILLED COCK ROBIN?, in which a boy tries to solve the mystery of his clean town's feathered mascot; THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTTHROATS, quite a lot like THE MISSING 'GATOR; and THE FIRE BUG CONNECTION. No young naturalist or ecologist should overlook the wide, wonderful world of Jean Craighead George.

My story was about a missing gator. Travis is a gator hunter who is trying to shoot the gator. The gator is too big for the protection law. All the characters except Travis are trying to protect him. The main characters are Dujen, Travis, Liza K., and James James. Because he is a smart young man, James James is my favorite character. In my own life I try to be good and kind to others. James James is like this, he is always considerate and thoughtful.
I liked my book. I don't have a single favorite part; My least favorite part is the authors choice of where the characters lived at the end of book. My favorite part was that Travis didn't find Dujen.
I would recomend this book to a person who likes mysteries.

Like many other books by this same author, this book is TERRIBLE. I only read it because I was interested in Alaska and though some of the info in this book was valuable she could have made this a non-fiction sort of info book about Alaska and not have wasted my time. The plot if you could say there is one is not very good. My advice to you: do not read this book!

Very enjoyable. The plot and the characters were just as compelling as outlined by many of the other reviewers. However, what was most valuable to me was the description of life in the arctic. Books describing something that I know absolutely NOTHING about are very valuable to me. And believe me, before reading this I knew nothing about having to eat the duck's beak from the stew in order to please the host(ess). Descriptions of just how cold it can get--especially at night when the hero was trying to sleep---- were also very moving for me.

Based on her experiences visiting the Arctic and the whale camp where her son works, beloved children's nature writer Jean Craighead George presents a beautiful story for older readers. It tells the story of a young man, Lincoln, who goes to the top of the world and the northernmost place in the U.S., Point Barrow, home of the bowhead whale and the Inupiat Eskimo. Lincoln comes searching for his long-lost Uncle Jack and to find the roots of his Eskimo heritage, but instead faces his destiny when the captain of an Eskimo whaling camp tells him that a whale is coming to him. Uncle Jack came to the Arctic to try to convince the Eskimo not to hunt the threatened bowhead, and Lincoln, when a turn of events causes him to become the whaling captain, is torn between whether to respect Uncle Jack's environmental plea, or to honor the beloved whaling captain by killing the great whale. Though Lincoln slowly comes to feel like a true Eskimo by weaving himself into their culture and customs, he sadly realizes that he can never be one of these magnificent and efficient people. Romance becomes the main thing that causes Lincoln to realize this, and the heroine he becomes attracted to is as strong and beautiful as the main character in Ms. George's other Arctic novel for young adults, JULIE OF THE WOLVES. The ending is poignant and unforgettable, and out of Ms. George's eighty plus environmental stories, WATER SKY is probably the most provocative and thoughtful. Fans of the Julie books and the spectacular picture book, ARCTIC SON, will adore this story that is at the same time icy, thoughtful, inventive, tragic, and altogether a rewarding read.

The Firebug Connection is a book that kids like me will probably not get. IT has advanced words and I don't like it. The story plot is not that interesting. It is a mystery and the things that the people think is causing the problem was confusing and not understood by me.

"The Firebug Connection" is definatley a book that's going to go on my favorite's list. Not only does it teach us many new things in the scientific field, it tells us we can make friends with first- thought foes. Maggie and Mitch are determine to find the answer to the baffeling question that has to do with the wierd non- adult- maturing adolescent firebugs. This book has a lot to do with nature, some of the words in the book are challanging as they were for me. Jean Craighead George is a celebrated author and a great one. She did awesome work on this Eco Mystery!

Maggie Mercer, lover of bugs, bats, and beetles, is very happy with her pet firebugs- until they start exploding! Even more suspicious, only the firebugs in the jars are dying! Who, or what, could possibly be murdering her favorite birthday present? Could it be something she is feeding them? Or something in the glass that the jars are made of? She and Mitch, an annoying yet helpful computer whiz who is staying with her while their parents are on an important scientific exploration, consider everything as a suspect, or at least a clue. This is a wonderful book! It is perfect for anyone who loves nature, and a good mystery,(like me.) If you like this book, then I also recommend,"The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo," or,"Who Really Killed Cock Robin?" some other really good ecological mysteries by Jean Craighead George.

This book was a great information source. You can tell that the author did a lot of research for this book. It records a young boys journey through the rain forest in search of the butterfly that will save the rain forest from the bulldozers. During his journey he encounters many animals. The author gave very useful and vivid detail. However there were some points where the book was kinda hard to understand. I can also understand why some people might think this book was dull. It is just a nature book without much excitment. I recommend this book to anyone who loves nature or is doing research on the rain forest!

ONE DAY IN THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST
AUTHOR-JEAN CRAIGHEAD GEORGE
GENRE-ADVENTURE/REALISTIC FICTION
PAGES-66

SETTING-TROPICAL RAINFOREST OF THE MACAW
CHARACTERS-TEPUI, DR.RIVERO , A ORNITHOLOGIST, HERPETOLOGIST, MAMMALOLOGIST , AND A BOTONIST.

THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK IF YOU LIKE ADVENTURE OR THE RAINFOREST! IT'S ABOUT A BOY NAMED TEPUI AND A SCIENTIST NAMED DR. RIVERO. THEY HAVE AN URGENT PROBLEM, THERE ARE 11 BULLDOSERS AND FOUR TRUCKS CARRYING 20 CHAINSAWERS THAT WANT TO CUT DOWN THE RAINFOREST FOR FARMLAND. TEPUI AND DR. RIVERO MUST FIND A NEW BUTTERFLY TO SAVE THE RAINFOREST, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE LESS THAN A DAY BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION BEGINS. CAN THEY DO IT?

The author writes very suspenseful, and teaches us valuable lessons throughout the story. We are constantly learning more about the BALANCE of the Rain Forest and the miraculous events going on simultaneously around the main characters. I can't wait to read other books by this author. You can tell she does a great deal of research about her topics and enjoys the outdoors.

Here is another superb entry in beloved nature writer Jean Craighead George's informative and thrilling ONE DAY. . . series. The award-winning author of JULIE OF THE WOLVES, MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, and more than eighty other wildlife books for young readers does a great job of bringing to life the magical setting of the tropical rain forest. Tepui, a young boy who lives in Venezuela's Tropical Rain Forest of the Macaw, befriends some biologists who are studying the rain forest. To his and the scientists' dismay, the rain forest is scheduled to be chopped down and destroyed one afternoon. The only way to save it is to find a special butterfly that has never before been identified and present it to a wealthy businessman who wants to name the butterfly after his daughter. So Tepui and his friend Dr. Rivero--a lepidoptorist--set out to find the elusive insect. But the human characters are only a small part of the story. The rain forest is alive with thousands of species of creatures--amusing ones like a leisurely sloth, and creepy ones like flesh-eating ants. There are birds of all the colors of the rainbow, mammals like jaguars and tapirs, magnificent tree giants, and, of course, millions of insects. This is a fascinating glimpse, written in a fast-paced minute-by-minute style, into an environment so complex and diverse that there are many creatures who don't even have names, and have never seen humans. It is also an important story that all young people should pay attention to to better understand their natural world and help to preserve its unique magnificent ecosystems. Other titles in the series are: ONE DAY IN THE. . .ALPINE TUNDRA, PRAIRIE, DESERT, and WOODS. Any ecologist will also want to check out Jean Craighead George's Eco-Mysteries series: WHO REALLY KILLED COCK ROBIN?, THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTTHROATS, THE MISSING 'GATOR OF GUMBO LIMBO, and THE FIRE BUG CONNECTION. These include information on chemicals, the ozone layer, human development, and how these things threaten our wild places and creatures.