Extreme birdwatching Measuring change on a Gàlpagos Island

Gr 4--6--The intriguing situation of a long science career spent watching birds in an extremely unlikely location is this title's basis for explaining the processes of natural selection and evolution. The Galápagos island of Daphne lies inside the top of a volcano rising in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, and it's there that scientists Rosemary and Peter Grant and students arrive in a small boat to study the wildlife. Short chapters recount the bodies and lives of two species of finches found only on Daphne. Every bird, including newborn fledglings, is caught in a mist net, measured, weighed, and tagged with a leg band. A disastrous drought in 1977, which killed many finches, food plants, and other animals, shifted the focus to finch survival, and from there, the text turns to the larger realm of science to explain natural selection and the function of DNA as creators of evolution. Green's sketches in inky blue tones and black give readers quick impressions of the volcano rising from the sea, scientists at work, and the finches. This broadly sketched story is a streamlined overview of the island research that began in 1972 and continued through 2012, and some readers may wish for more story about scientists living inside the volcano. An included science lesson urges readers to conduct careful study of birds in their own backyards. Generous end materials include a glossary, web resources, and four-part bibliography: birdwatching, backyard close observation, volcanoes, and Galápagos. VERDICT With some guidance and encouragement, this offers strong potential for sparking questions, discussion, and deeper classroom inquiry. Put this in the hands of science teachers.--Margaret Bush

An accessible primer on evolution in action and the scientific method's nitty-gritty realities. This well-written, detailed chronicle follows married biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant through 40 years of meticulous fieldwork on the Galápagos island of Daphne, tracking how finch beaks evolved in response to environmental changes. Burns excels at demystifying the scientific process--readers learn how leg bands identify individual birds, why seeds on the island must be counted and categorized, and how tiny beak measurements accumulate into patterns and proof of natural selection. The conversational tone keeps potentially dry material engaging, and the book doesn't shy from the tedium inherent in groundbreaking research: endless data collection, repetitive observations, uncomfortable conditions. The level of procedural detail, while impressive for demonstrating methodology, may test the patience of casual readers seeking a breezier science narrative. Still, this honest portrayal makes the book particularly valuable for classroom use, showing students that real science involves patience and persistence alongside brilliance. The backmatter and resources enhance the work's educational utility. The monochromatic blue illustrations, however, while serviceable and lovely, feel like a missed opportunity; full-color images would have better captured the islands' stark beauty and the finches' subtle variations. A solid, practical teaching tool that will interest dedicated young scientists. (glossary, further reading and websites, notes, bibliography)(Nonfiction. 8-11) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.