The Tarantula Scientist: Book Review

The Tarantula Scientist: Book Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. The Tarantula Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series).  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. ISBN 061891577X

Bishop, Nic. The Tarantula Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series). By Sy Montgomery. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. ISBN 061891577X

PLOT SUMMARY

As a part of the Scientists in the Field Series, The Tarantula Scientist follows archaeologist Sam Marshall as he as he sets out to learn more about the Goliath birdeater tarantula, the world’s largest spider, in the rainforest of French Guiana in South America. Learn about Sam Marshall’s start and how he found his scientific passion. Is it true that one bite from a tarantula can kill you? Why is this tarantula so hairy? Does this species really shed its skin? Follow Sam Marshall in this photo essay by author Sy Montgomery, accompanied by colorful and detailed photography by Nic Bishop, to learn more about Sam Marshall and this fascinating creature!  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Tarantula Scientists is an informative, nonfiction piece of work that flows like an enjoyable storybook. Author Sy Montgomery is a gifted wordsmith, creating vivid imagery in each reader’s imagination with his detailed, storybook-like account of Sam Marshall’s tarantula-seeking adventure. The brilliant photographs provided by Nic Bishop serve to compliment the text, pairing stunning, detailed photography with well-written text to create a fluid, nonfiction story. The beginning of this book provides a great example of this, starting off with an attention-grabbing situation where Sam Marshall is trying to get a tarantula to come out of hiding:

Sam Marshall is lying on his belly in the rainforest, his freckled face just inches from a fist-sized hole in the dirt. He turns on his headlamp. He gently pokes a twig into the tunnel and wiggles it. “Come out!” he says into the hole. “I want to meet you!”

Montgomery quickly immerses the reader into this situation, creating am ambiance of curiosity, leaving the reader eagerly awaiting the emergence of the tarantula. This is accompanied by two images of Sam Marshall that are perfect representations of the text, showing Marshall with his face close to the ground, waiting excitedly for the tarantula to come out of hiding.

This photographic essay book is nicely broken up into various sections, providing the reader with background information on Sam Marshall and other species of spiders and insects that relate to the Goliath birdeating tarantula. This is done by headings and subheadings, presented at the top of the book’s pages in orange/red text and text boxes. The book also provides small facts and photo descriptions in small orange/red text, providing further clarifying information. This nonfiction book is well researched, providing accurate scientific information in a fun and entertaining way. This book is also approachable in its easy to read format, providing phonetic pronunciations in parenthesis for more difficult words, and breaking down scientific concepts into simplistic terminology. This is vital for a children’s book. 

A huge component of this nonfiction, informative book is the fascinating, detailed photography, drawing the reader further into the story. These photographs brilliantly capture Sam Marshall, the tarantula, and the surrounding, natural environment. One of the most memorable photos, located on page 24 of this book, shows an up-close image of a tarantula that is rearing, poised on its back legs, showing its fangs in an attempt to scare off an attacker. This image clearly shows the action that is taking place, allowing the audience to see every little detail, including the vibrantly orange-colored raised hairs on the legs and body of the tarantula.

All in all, this is a wonderful detailing of Sam Marshall and his scientific endeavors in exploring and learning more about the Goliath birdeating tarantula species. As an individual who enjoyed the National Geographic Kids magazine growing up, this was an interesting and fun look into the hidden (and somewhat creepy) world of spiders and tarantulas. I highly recommend giving it a try!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Bluebonnet Award Book

Sibert Honor Book

ALA Notable Book

From School Library Journal: “Informative, yes, but even more important, this is a vivid look at an enthusiastic scientist energetically and happily at work, both in the field and in the lab, questioning, examining, testing, and making connections. A treat, even for arachnophobes.”

From Booklist: “Bishop’s full-color photos, which concentrate on detail, not scale, are amazing—Marshall coaxing an elusive tarantula into the open or bringing readers literally face-to-face with a hairy spider…Readers will come away armed with facts about spiders in general and tarantulas in particular, but even more important, they’ll have a clear understanding of how the answers derived from research become the roots of new, intriguing questions.”

CONNECTIONS

Can be used in the elementary science classroom to teach about tarantulas.

May be used to teach children about different types of nonfiction books.

Read other Scientists in the Field Series books by Sy Montgomery such as:

• ·         The Octopus Scientists. ISBN 0544232704
• ·         The Great White Shark Scientists. ISBN 054435298X