The Secret of the Bird's Smart Brain…and More!

Gr 4–7—Each book presents five examples of scientists from around the world (most from the United States and Europe) working to discover new information about an animal. Each chapter starts with a moment that triggered the scientist's curiosity about the animal's behavior, then describes the process of developing experiments, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions. The animal "secrets" are all intriguing, as are the strategies used to unravel the mystery. The scientists' own words, based on interviews with the author, capture the excitement of experimentation and discovery. Most of the research is current, though dates are usually provided only in the chapter notes. Some chapters include photographs of the scientists, sometimes interacting with their subjects, but others rely more on stock photos of animals. The stories themselves, though, are highly engaging, providing insight into modern scientific techniques and animal behaviors.