Book Review – THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. 2004. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, Co. ISBN 0618147993
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Can you say “arachnologist” (pronounced “ar-rack-NAWL-o-gist”) (p.7)? By the time you finish reading this amazing 80 page spread, you will not only be familiar with the term “spider scientist,” but you will have a good basic working knowledge of tarantulas. From the same team that brought you 1999’s “The Snake Scientist”, Sy Montgomery (author) and Nic Bishop (photographer) make a joint effort with tarantula expert Dr. Sam Marshall to entice you to learn more about this mysterious species.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Montgomery and Bishop accompany “spider scientist extraordinaire,” affectionately referred to throughout the text as just Sam, on one of his many expeditions in South America’s French Guiana. The mission: find out as much as they can about the largest species of tarantulas, the Goliath birdeater.
It is quite refreshing to read a text from experts in which it is admitted that all the answers are not known. Some of the information presented reveals that there are only a few tarantula scientists and much research needs to be done (p. 13-15). Among some of the things that they could answer about other types of tarantula’s and spiders include an explanation of the origin of its name, habitat, eating habits, anatomy, web making, and mating. These facts were often offered in a comparison and contrast manner that may help readers organize information.
Speaking of organization, reference aids such as photo captions in bold earth-toned brown font provides additional information that helps the reader gain more knowledge. A map of the setting, subheadings, pronunciation guides, translation of French words, “Spider Speak” glossary, spider stats, index, and annotated bibliography are also notable features that lends more on the accuracy of the content. In addition, Bishop’s abundant and impressive full-color photos may make the hairs on the back of your neck rise as you see an up-close view of the hairy creatures. The pictures spread throughout nearly every page undoubtedly documents Sam’s concentration and passion as he performs the sweat producing work of spider hunting.
Montgomery’s use of suspense, humor, and conversational style adds voice to the writing. Including dialogue from Sam not only demonstrated the passion of an arachnophile (“a person who appreciates arachnids – spiders”, p. 77-78), but it enhanced the overall flow of the piece. Letting the audience know that Sam made bad grades as a student, and his previous view of science as just “memorizing a bunch of facts” adds a sort of realism that may help kids discover the great wonders of science just as he did.
It is recognized that “most people don’t know anything about spiders because they are afraid of them” (p. 66). This book, however, will leave many considering why we should care about this peculiar, yet fascinating subject.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK 2005
TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD NOMINEE 2005-2006
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2004
NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL
OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TRADE
BOOK FOR CHILDREN – “SELECTORS CHOICE” 2005
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A treat, even for arachnophobes.”
BOOKLIST: “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.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Students may create a color photo poster presentation comparing the anatomy, habitat, and diet of spiders, tarantulas, and other invertebrates.
· Related texts:
Mitchell, Susan K. 2011. BIGGEST VS. SMALLEST CREEPY, CRAWLY CREATURES. ISBN 9780766035812
· Montgomery invites teachers to visit the following websites for activities that accompany THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST: www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/librarians/teacher.shtml or www.authorwire.com
Other resources used:
www.authorwire.com
This book review was created as an assignment for a course at
Texas Woman’s University.
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