Sy Montgomery, Author
Nic Bishop, Photographer
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. 2004. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618147999.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Montgomery’s The Tarantula Scientist follows Sam Marshall, an arachnologist, as he studies tarantulas in their natural habitats. The book explores his field of work in places such as the Costa Rica and the Caribbean Islands. It is places like these where Sam observes tarantulas in the wild and conducts research. It also explains the behavior, biology, and importance of spiders in ecosystems.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This nonfiction book combines scientific information with narrative storytelling. The presentation of scientific research is done in a way that feels like going on an exploration that follows Sam Marshall’s experiences in the field. Throughout the book, there is an alternation between descriptive scenes and explanations that make the content just as engaging and informative for the reader. The book challenges common fears that readers might have about spiders and paints them as complex but not dangerous.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
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.”
5. CONNECTIONS
- Have students research an animal or insect that people may find misunderstood and present the facts about them and their importance in the ecosystem.
- Related books:
– Montgomery, Sy. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO
– Jenkins, Steve. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST
The Literary Compass 