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A review by bethanymiller415
Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95 by Phillip Hoose
3.0
Moonbird is a rufa red knot, a robin-sized shorebird who, like others of his subspecies, migrates an astounding 18,000 miles each year. Scientists are able to identify Moonbird by the small band around his leg that reads B95. Scientists put lightweight bands on the birds’ legs so that they can study their migration patterns. Moonbird was a part of one of the first groups to get banded back in 1995. The author follows the journey taken by Moonbird and other rufa red knots, and along the way he interviews people who have spent their lives studying these birds and learns about the many obstacles that these birds face on their journey. On November 25, 2011 a photograph was taken proving that B95, the oldest and most famous of the rufas was still alive; however, in his lifetime the population of rufas has declined by 80% worldwide. Hoose concludes the book by discussing the human-created threats to the rufas’ survival and discusses the efforts of multiple conservation groups to prevent their extinction. His focus is on young people and how they have played a role in these efforts. The book includes color photographs and maps. It also has a table of contents, an appendix entitled “What You Can Do,” a bibliography, and an index.
This is a well written account of a truly astounding animal that most people probably know nothing about. Though the focus is on a single bird, Hoose makes a broader point about the importance of biodiversity. He shows the reader how different life forms rely upon each other, and the chain reaction that can occur when one species begins to disappear. The photographs and maps are high quality and enhance the text. The maps in particular really help to illustrate the amazing journey that these birds complete each year. The author’s source notes show the extensive research that went into writing the book, yet it is presented in a way that will be accessible to teen readers. The bibliography will be useful to those who want to do further research. Overall, this is a solid addition to public libraries as well as high school and middle school collections. Recommended.
This is a well written account of a truly astounding animal that most people probably know nothing about. Though the focus is on a single bird, Hoose makes a broader point about the importance of biodiversity. He shows the reader how different life forms rely upon each other, and the chain reaction that can occur when one species begins to disappear. The photographs and maps are high quality and enhance the text. The maps in particular really help to illustrate the amazing journey that these birds complete each year. The author’s source notes show the extensive research that went into writing the book, yet it is presented in a way that will be accessible to teen readers. The bibliography will be useful to those who want to do further research. Overall, this is a solid addition to public libraries as well as high school and middle school collections. Recommended.