Reviews
"Markle's striking, photo-illustrated story will introduce young scientists to the process of scientific inquiry through a fascinating true mystery. What is killing 80% of the Golden Frogs in Panama? Students will empathize with researchers as they struggle to find their answers through hypothesis, testing, restructuring questions, and research. The author's note illustrates her excitement shared with a team of world-wide researchers. Although not designed as a read-aloud, teachers may find themselves reading this in a class setting so the group can follow the progress together and discuss the photos that present evidence. The generously large color photos, and information on how to help frogs, will get young researchers looking into solving their own ecological mysteries. An obvious fit for science classes, this book would also fit nicely into environmental studies, geography, animal study, and the research process. It is an engaging model of the scientific method that is sure to intrigue all young researchers." --Library Media Connection, "An obvious fit for science classes, this book would also fit nicely into environmental studies, geography, animal study, and the research process. It is an engaging model of the scientific method that is sure to intrigue all young researchers." --Library Media Connection, "In 1996, biologist Karen Lips revisited a high mountain forest in Panama, where she had studied Panamanian golden frogs four years earlier. On this trip, though, she found only dead frogs. After a pathologist discovered unusual sacs under their skin, a newspaper article about Lips' research led to communication with other scientists worldwide and the discovery that a fungus was killing off the frogs. Launched in 1999, Project Golden Frog collects healthy animals and keeps them in zoos and conservation centers until the fungus can be controlled and the frogs can be safely returned home. Since 2008, few golden frogs have been found in the wild. Notable for clarity, directness, and simplicity of writing and design alike, this volume, both handsome and fascinating, begins with the hunt for the frogs' killer and ends with the urgent need to create a safe environment for their return to the wild. Excellent photos, microscopic views, and maps illustrate the book. Back matter includes a glossary, recommended reading lists, and an author's note. While few readers will take up Markle's suggestion to 'become the science detective who finally stops this killer,' many will absorb the notion that scientific research can be intrinsically interesting and vitally important. Pair this book with Turner's The Frog Scientist (2009)." --Booklist, "The golden frog, a Panamanian national symbol, began vanishing from its high mountain forests in the late 1990s, prompting a scientific investigation and rescue process that continues today. Veteran science educator Markle (Hip-Pocket Papa, 2010, etc.) describes a mission that has involved scientists from around the world. Organizing her information in short chapters, she opens with a straightforward introduction of both the problem and the two biologists who have been most closely involved. She explains why the increased frog mortality couldn't be blamed on habitat destruction, pollution or global climate change and describes the discovery of the devastating chytrid fungus, explaining how it works to kill frogs and offering some hypotheses that explain how it spread. Finally, she turns to the rescue and search for a cure. Panamanian golden frogs may now be extinct the wild, and no way has yet been found to ensure their survival outside the institutions that keep breeding colonies alive in Panama and in North American zoos. The text is set on golden pages and accompanied by large, clear color photographs and maps. In the backmatter, the author notes that in spite of their common name, these frogs are actually toads and offers suggestions for helping frogs locally and learning about global efforts. A sobering glimpse at science in progress." --Kirkus Reviews, "Notable for clarity, directness, and simplicity of writing and design alike, this volume, both handsome and fascinating, begins with the hunt for the frogs' killer and ends with the urgent need to create a safe environment for their return to the wild." --Booklist, "Illustrated with excellent photos and microscopic views, this profile of a 'science detective' underscores the vital importance of curiosity, inquiry, and shared communication in scientific work." --Book Links, "For most students, science is often considered something that only the brightest individuals can undertake. One of the reasons that this occurs is because most of our textbooks only share the facts that are determined by the process of science, largely understating or ignoring the logical reasoning and data analysis that were undertaken to draw that conclusion. In this book, Sandra Markle does an excellent job of highlighting the scientific reasoning scientists have undertaken to attempt to explain the loss of vast populations of Golden Frogs in Panama, and of other amphibians around the globe. Ms. Markle explores the mystery of these losses from first discovery to current efforts to save the frogs from extinction. Well written prose that is accessible to children as young as kindergarteners make this book a great resource for any elementary school library. Children can see how scientists identified the loss of frogs (a pattern that needed explanation), tested competing hypotheses, and used evidence to draw conclusions regarding the cause of the loss. They are also able to see how conservation biologists are now using science to undertake the task of saving the Golden Frog from extinction. This book is a great introduction to the issues of declining amphibians and worldwide loss of biodiversity, but its strength lies in its portrayal of the scientists and their use of the scientific process to solve a scientific mystery." --Science Books & Films, "This eye-catching, well-written book provides a window into the efforts of a coalition of scientists, wildlife groups, and zoos to decode the mysterious die-off of the Panamanian golden frog, which began in the mid 1990s. Markle follows the work of biologist Karen Lips as she studied and investigated the deaths of so many of these creatures. Further, it records the work of Project Golden Frog to protect those still alive. Fine full-color photos grace every page in this excellent exposition of science at work in field and lab. An author's note is appended, as is a listing of local and global rescue efforts. Pair this gem with Pamela Turner's equally fascinating The Frog Scientist (Houghton, 2009) detailing an investigation into the effects of agricultural chemicals on frog populations, and for a nifty look at froggy facts, try Mark Moffett's colorful Face to Face with Frogs (National Geographic, 2008)." --School Library Journal, "Notable for its clear, direct text and design, this volume recounts biologist Karen Lips' 1996 visit to a mountain forest in Panama, where she discovered that the Panamanian golden frogs she had studied four years earlier had all died. Lips' research led to worldwide scientific inquiry and the founding of Project Golden Frog, a program to keep the frogs healthy. Illustrated with excellent photos and microscopic views, this profile of a 'science detective' underscores the vital importance of curiosity, inquiry, and shared communication in scientific work." --Book Links, "This eye-catching, well-written book provides a window into the efforts of a coalition of scientists, wildlife groups, and zoos to decode the mysterious die-off of the Panamanian golden frog, which began in the mid 1990s." --School Library Journal, "This book is a great introduction to the issues of declining amphibians and worldwide loss of biodiversity, but its strength lies in its portrayal of the scientists and their use of the scientific process to solve a scientific mystery." --Science Books & Films
