Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island
Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island
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Houghton Mifflin
Just the Series: Scientists in the Field   

Series and Publisher: Scientists in the Field   

Annotation: In this addition to the Scientists in the Field series, readers join scientists as they tackle something unusual in the world of ecosystems: colonization. Not a colonization by people, but one of cells, seeds, spores, and other life forms that blow in, fly in, float in, and struggle to survive on the beautiful but harsh new island of Surtsey.
Genre: [Biology]
 
Reviews: 7
Catalog Number: #213128
Format: Perma-Bound Edition
Common Core/STEAM: STEAM STEAM
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Copyright Date: 2021
Edition Date: 2017 Release Date: 08/24/21
Pages: 74 pages
ISBN: Publisher: 0-358-34823-4 Perma-Bound: 0-605-94825-9
ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-0-358-34823-8 Perma-Bound: 978-0-605-94825-9
Dewey: 577.5
Dimensions: 23 x 28 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Starred Review A violent volcanic eruption off the coast of Iceland in 1963 marks the beginning of this informative entry in the Scientists in the Field series, as well as the formation of a brand-new island, Surtsey. After almost four years of eruptions, the volcanoes quieted and Surtsey was declared a nature preserve, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study the entire evolution of a land relatively free of human influence. Burns chooses not to focus on geology, as one might expect when dealing with volcanoes (though it is touched upon), but on how life has taken hold on this young island. She centers the book on entomologist Erling Ólaffson, who made his first trip to Surtsey in 1970 and has been studying the island ever since. For one week each summer, Ólaffson joins a scientific expedition to the island, which collects samples and observes all the changes the year has brought. Burns clearly conveys the long hours and spare conditions for such work (there's no bathroom!), as well as the research team's unmitigated enthusiasm. The numerous photographs illustrate the changing conditions on Surtsey, from its altered shape to the arrival of plants, nesting birds, and, of course, insects. Appendixes offer insights into Iceland's culture and extreme climate, all of which enrich this unique demonstration of life's awe-­inspiring tenacity.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Visit a nearly pristine world with an entomologist who's studied this new island almost since its birth in 1963.Burns describes field research on Surtsey, weaving the geological and ecological history of the island, raised from the ocean by volcanic eruption, into a fascinating account of scientists at work, with particular emphasis on the life's work of Erling Ólaffson, who studies the island's insects. The author was privileged to join him and eight other researchers in July 2015 for a five-day visit to this natural laboratory for watching the progression of life; this once-barren island is still open only to scientists. She's chosen details that will particularly interest her readers: the mechanics of insect capture, discovery of new species, day-to-day life. The seven men and three women (Icelandic except for the American writer and a Polish botanist; all are white) came by helicopter, stayed in a hut built for researchers, used designated bathroom areas (No. 2 goes under rocks near the ocean to be washed away), and left nothing but wooden stakes marking research squares and new-to-island plants. Photographs by the writer and several team members, especially the entomologist who first visited Surtsey in 1970, include gorgeous scenery, the changing face of the island, team members, and close-ups of plants, animals, and even the lava itself to help readers picture this unique experience. An amazing science adventure well worth the trip. (glossary, further information resources, source notes, bibliography, acknowledgements, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Gr 4-7 A baby boy was born in Iceland on September 28, 1949. As is Icelandic tradition, he was not named until his parents got to know him bettereventually, he become Erling. In 1963, when he was 14 years old, an epic volcanic eruption gave birth to a new island, named Surtsey, just off the coast of Iceland. This provided scientists with a rare opportunity to study how life takes hold in a sterile environment, and so the Icelandic government made Surtsey a preserve. Science writer Burns tells two parallel stories in this fascinating and informative entry in seriesthat of Erling's life and of his lifelong fascination with and study of Surtsey. The author traveled to Surtsey with Erling and a team of scientists in the summer of 2015. They stayed on the island for five days meticulously collecting samples of plants, insects, and soil, as well as counting birds and their nests. The fascinating, careful text not only explains the science cogently but adds insight into Icelandic culture and language. The book's design is clean and eye catching, and full-color photographs of the island, the scientists at work, their living quarters, and the flora and fauna that they study are sprinkled throughout. VERDICT A plethora of curriculum connections make this a STEM title not to miss; budding scientists will return to this again and again. Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

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

Visit a nearly pristine world with an entomologist who's studied this new island almost since its birth in 1963.Burns describes field research on Surtsey, weaving the geological and ecological history of the island, raised from the ocean by volcanic eruption, into a fascinating account of scientists at work, with particular emphasis on the life's work of Erling Ólaffson, who studies the island's insects. The author was privileged to join him and eight other researchers in July 2015 for a five-day visit to this natural laboratory for watching the progression of life; this once-barren island is still open only to scientists. She's chosen details that will particularly interest her readers: the mechanics of insect capture, discovery of new species, day-to-day life. The seven men and three women (Icelandic except for the American writer and a Polish botanist; all are white) came by helicopter, stayed in a hut built for researchers, used designated bathroom areas (No. 2 goes under rocks near the ocean to be washed away), and left nothing but wooden stakes marking research squares and new-to-island plants. Photographs by the writer and several team members, especially the entomologist who first visited Surtsey in 1970, include gorgeous scenery, the changing face of the island, team members, and close-ups of plants, animals, and even the lava itself to help readers picture this unique experience. An amazing science adventure well worth the trip. (glossary, further information resources, source notes, bibliography, acknowledgements, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Wilson's Children's Catalog
Wilson's Junior High Catalog
Bibliography Index/Note: Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-72) and index.
Word Count: 14,270
Reading Level: 7.2
Interest Level: 4-7
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 7.2 / points: 2.0 / quiz: 191983 / grade: Middle Grades
Reading Counts!: reading level:10.3 / points:6.0 / quiz:Q72523
Lexile: 1090L

On November 14, 1963, a volcano fifteen miles off the shore of Iceland exploded under the sea, resulting in a brand-new island. Scientists immediately recognized Surtsey for what it was: an opportunity to observe the way life takes hold.  

Loree Griffin Burns follows entomologist Erling Ólafsson on a five-day trip to Surtsey, where since 1970 he has studied the arrival and survival of insects and other species. Readers see how demanding conditions on Surtsey can be, what it’s like to eat and work while making the smallest impact possible, and the passion driving these remarkable scientists in one of the world’s most unique fields ever! 
 
  


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