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teenytinylibrary's review
4.0
I love Sy Montgomery and I love the Scientists in the Field series. The whole series is a fantastic look into what life as a scientist is actually all about. I had no idea that octopuses were so mysterious and hard to study in the wild. I learned a ton about octopuses (and was that much more inclined to read Montgomery's adult book about the species) and about how to study ocean creatures. Two thumbs up. Give this to budding naturalists.
lauralynnwalsh's review
4.0
This is a gorgeously photographed book on a great topic. The only problem with it is that it is a bit too much for the audience that I assume it is designed for: older elementary through high school students. I like that the author introduced each of the researchers and explained how they became interested in octopuses. And it is helpful to detail the struggles that scientists have when doing field research. I must admit, however, that I skimmed many of the parts about the wonders and the beauty of the world in which the octopuses live. I was eager to hear more about the octopuses, not so much the different fish and other denizens of the deep. Still, I am enjoying these science books that I have been perusing lately.
libscote's review
3.0
I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it before reading "The Soul of an Octopus." Montgomery's affection for these animals comes across so strongly in that book, and I didn't get quite the same feel in this one. It's not to say this book isn't excellent, or worthy of consideration. When I finished "Soul of an Octopus," I wanted to go out and find one and have its suckers on my arms, despite screaming at the touch of a stingray in aquariums before. I didn't have the same reaction here.
The pictures are gorgeous, although I would have appreciated captions on every photo. Still, it's a worthy entry in the "Scientists in the Field" series. If you're able, I would recommend the adult title over this one.
The pictures are gorgeous, although I would have appreciated captions on every photo. Still, it's a worthy entry in the "Scientists in the Field" series. If you're able, I would recommend the adult title over this one.
mandarchy's review
3.0
Grabbed this book at the library because my son is currently obsessed with the Kracken. It sat around the house for about a month. I read some of it - I did not know that octopuses have three hearts and blue blood - they have hemocyanin instead of hemoglobin - so I learned something. But no one else in the house cracked the book.
So when I went to return it I was informed, "do not return the kraken book. Do not check it in."
So for now it is renewed.
Another bonus feature of the book - the photography is fantastic and most of the featured scientists are women. The book is text heavy so I would suggest it to an older reader who might be thinking about a career with animals.
So when I went to return it I was informed, "do not return the kraken book. Do not check it in."
So for now it is renewed.
Another bonus feature of the book - the photography is fantastic and most of the featured scientists are women. The book is text heavy so I would suggest it to an older reader who might be thinking about a career with animals.
erine's review
3.0
The photographs are stunning, and the author is enthusiastic, but the scientists' journey is not as compelling as I had hoped after reading The Soul of an Octopus. So this is possibly a failure of my expectations as a reader instead of any true let-down on the part of the author or photographer.
engpunk77's review
4.0
I'm about octopused out! But if another book is published soon with new findings from the octopus scientists, I know I'll read it. So this is my third book in about as many months that I've read about octopuses, all 3 from Sy Montgomery. You'd think it gets repetitive, but it doesn't. Her life, her expeditions, and octopus facts and descriptions are endlessly fascinating.
How this differs from [b:The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness|22609485|The Soul of an Octopus A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness|Sy Montgomery|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1425611143l/22609485._SY75_.jpg|42099445]:
--It's made for a younger audience
--It's filled with vibrant, professional, breathtaking photos
--It's about ONE particular expedition in the ocean, not Sy's life or her experience with the octopuses in the aquarium.
This is an excellent nonfiction choice for 11-14-year-old kids who are CURIOUS, inquisitive, interested in science, or who want to know what a scientist does on the job. The narrative details 2 weeks of real fieldwork that scientists do, with actually brief and entertaining background on how each scientist arrived at this particular spot in their careers. Interspersed in the narrative are easily digestible interesting facts about octopuses including why the term "octopi" is incorrect.
However, Montgomery is a good writer. Her writing style isn't modified in any way for a younger audience (I know because I've now read three of her books in quick succession). I wouldn't think this book is accessible to any of my students who are struggling readers. The vocabulary is rich, and it takes for granted that readers have great vocabularies and the desire to look up the definitions of words unfamiliar to them (there are minimal supports by way of text features).
I'd recommend this fascinating book to students who are in 7th and 8th grade HONORS Science.
How this differs from [b:The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness|22609485|The Soul of an Octopus A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness|Sy Montgomery|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1425611143l/22609485._SY75_.jpg|42099445]:
--It's made for a younger audience
--It's filled with vibrant, professional, breathtaking photos
--It's about ONE particular expedition in the ocean, not Sy's life or her experience with the octopuses in the aquarium.
This is an excellent nonfiction choice for 11-14-year-old kids who are CURIOUS, inquisitive, interested in science, or who want to know what a scientist does on the job. The narrative details 2 weeks of real fieldwork that scientists do, with actually brief and entertaining background on how each scientist arrived at this particular spot in their careers. Interspersed in the narrative are easily digestible interesting facts about octopuses including why the term "octopi" is incorrect.
However, Montgomery is a good writer. Her writing style isn't modified in any way for a younger audience (I know because I've now read three of her books in quick succession). I wouldn't think this book is accessible to any of my students who are struggling readers. The vocabulary is rich, and it takes for granted that readers have great vocabularies and the desire to look up the definitions of words unfamiliar to them (there are minimal supports by way of text features).
I'd recommend this fascinating book to students who are in 7th and 8th grade HONORS Science.
libscote's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it before reading "The Soul of an Octopus." Montgomery's affection for these animals comes across so strongly in that book, and I didn't get quite the same feel in this one. It's not to say this book isn't excellent, or worthy of consideration. When I finished "Soul of an Octopus," I wanted to go out and find one and have its suckers on my arms, despite screaming at the touch of a stingray in aquariums before. I didn't have the same reaction here.
The pictures are gorgeous, although I would have appreciated captions on every photo. Still, it's a worthy entry in the "Scientists in the Field" series. If you're able, I would recommend the adult title over this one.
The pictures are gorgeous, although I would have appreciated captions on every photo. Still, it's a worthy entry in the "Scientists in the Field" series. If you're able, I would recommend the adult title over this one.
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
5.0
Sy Montgomery is one of the bet writers of informational books ever, and this book is right up there. I always expect good things from the Scientists in the Field series but this was outstanding. Octopuses (not octopi!) are intelligent and can have long term relationships with people. I also learned about what kind of research people are doing around octopuses. I'd like to read Montgomery's adult octopus book if I can only find the time.