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A review by engpunk77
The Octopus Scientists by Sy Montgomery
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.