School Library Journal

Gr 5-8 Lourie's readable text follows the efforts of research scientists in Brazil, West Africa, and Florida as they attempt to determine the habits, habitats, and behaviors of three large sirenians, two of whom live in very remote and often primitive areas. The fieldwork on West African and Amazonian manatees is complicated by the very murky water in which they live (Floridian manatees get pellucid aquamarine waters but more propeller slashes) and is further complicated by the fact they are hunted for food to supplement inadequate diets in isolated areas. The African studies are compounded by a variety of national political issues and some social unrest. Lourie's lucid reportage is accompanied by clear color photos of the scientists at work in drowned rain forests, crystalline springs, muddy rivers blocked by dams, in the lab, and from the air. Quotes are imbedded as well, with Lucy Keith remarking patiently, "You have to really like challenges to do research in Africa," and Fernando Rosas in Brazil explaining why local people love manatee meat. "They eat fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so any change in this diet is welcome." This is a living, breathing window into the watery world of manatee studies, with eager scientists pursuing the preservation of stressed sirenian populations with determination and grit. Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

This latest addition to an always-intriguing series describes the work of Fernando Rosas, John Reynolds and Lucy Keith studying manatees in different parts of the world. Gentle, slow-moving vegetarians, these curious aquatic mammals are distant relatives of elephants and live in the Amazon, in Florida and nearby ocean waters and in West African rivers. The three different but similar species are all listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as extremely vulnerable to extinction. Florida's protected manatees are a tourist attraction, easy to see in the clear waters of the Crystal River and in discharge zones of power plants, where they congregate for warmth in cold spells. The more mysterious manatees of Brazil and West Africa lurk in murky rivers and are sometimes killed and eaten. These three researchers track the animals in different ways, use biological techniques to learn more about their lives, work with people of the area toward protection and even, in Brazil, experiment with returning some to the wild from captivity. Like other books in this series, this is distinguished by clear, realistic explanations of scientific fieldwork and well-reproduced photographs, many taken by the author. The text, on the advanced side for the intended audience, is broken up by captioned photos, some mounted as snapshots. Overall, it lives up to the standards set by others in this stellar series. (maps, resources, glossary, author's note, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

ALA Booklist

Posing in all their distinctively lumpish charm, the manatees photographed by Lourie and others add plenty of visual appeal, but that isn't all that this latest Scientists in the Field entry has going for it. All three species of manatee are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) official Red List of Threatened Species, and the author not only profiles the work of three veteran researchers who are studying each e at a station on the Amazon in Brazil; one at a facility in central Florida; and the third tracking the most elusive species along several rivers in Gabon, Angola, and Senegal t also explains all of the categories for endangered species developed by the IUCN and the types of direct and indirect data that are gathered and used to determine that status. He also presents nontechnical overviews of manatee behavior and ancestry, along with human and natural hazards to the health of these gentle creatures, and closes with pages of summary facts as well as generous resource lists. A sturdy addition to a standard-setting nonfiction series.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This latest addition to an always-intriguing series describes the work of Fernando Rosas, John Reynolds and Lucy Keith studying manatees in different parts of the world. Gentle, slow-moving vegetarians, these curious aquatic mammals are distant relatives of elephants and live in the Amazon, in Florida and nearby ocean waters and in West African rivers. The three different but similar species are all listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as extremely vulnerable to extinction. Florida's protected manatees are a tourist attraction, easy to see in the clear waters of the Crystal River and in discharge zones of power plants, where they congregate for warmth in cold spells. The more mysterious manatees of Brazil and West Africa lurk in murky rivers and are sometimes killed and eaten. These three researchers track the animals in different ways, use biological techniques to learn more about their lives, work with people of the area toward protection and even, in Brazil, experiment with returning some to the wild from captivity. Like other books in this series, this is distinguished by clear, realistic explanations of scientific fieldwork and well-reproduced photographs, many taken by the author. The text, on the advanced side for the intended audience, is broken up by captioned photos, some mounted as snapshots. Overall, it lives up to the standards set by others in this stellar series. (maps, resources, glossary, author's note, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Horn Book

Scientists Fernando Rosas (Brazil), John Reynolds (Florida), and Lucy Keith (West Africa) investigate manatees in the field and in captivity. The text captures not only the science and politics of animal conservation but also the scientists' dedication. Telling much of the story are Lourie's many photographs of the manatees in their habitats and people interacting with the creatures. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.