QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO

a. Bibliographic data: Montgomery, Sy. THE QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. ISBN: 9780618496419.

b. Plot summary: 

From the SCIENTISTS IN THE FIELD series comes a book about an extremely endangered animal, found deep in the canopies of Papua New Guinea’s cloud forest. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO is a fact-filled, book of intriguing research that gives its reader’s insight into a place that is remote to most humans. Follow the venturous and brave group of scientists on their expedition, led by Lisa Dabek, as they make their way through the dense forest of New Guinea in search of answers, photographs, and scientific evidence of the tree kangaroo. Author Sy Montgomery documents the experiences with literary means while Nic Bishop documents the experiences with his talent of photography.

c. Critical Analysis: 

        THE QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO is a brilliantly written book that had me captured on every page; I couldn’t put it down! This story is told in a chronological fashion, showing the trip from beginning to end, including extraordinary aspects to the daily happenings of what it means to be a conservationist in the world of science. The reader is able to see the whole team behind the expedition and just how many people it takes to make it run smoothly.

         The words that the author uses to describe the scenery are so descriptive that it feels as though you are a part of the expedition right in the deep canopies of the muddy jungles of New Guinea with them. Each page brings the reader farther into the expedition for a tree kangaroo, exposing us to a surprising new species on almost every page. The author does a great job at providing a variety of insights, such as what the team of scientists needs to bring on their flight to the mountains to what they do when they catch a tree kangaroo. An example of the descriptive language can be found when the author attempts to describe the elusive tree kangaroo on page 7 of the text, “Impossible soft, with a rounded face, button eyes, pink nose, pert upright ears and a long thick tail, it was about the size of a small dog or an overweight cat, with plush brown and golden fur.”

         The reading level of this informational text is recommended for high elementary level and above because of the lengthy paragraphs and depth of wording. This book can appeal to a number of audiences, young and old, because of the vivid photography and descriptive captions. I read many of the pages aloud to my first grade students, which they thoroughly enjoyed because of the descriptive language and adventure they were able to go on without ever leaving the classroom.

         At the end of the book, Lisa Dabek, the scientist, gives the readers personal and informative advice for following their passions and conserving the earth. We also get to see a note from the author and the photographer, which gives the reader an interesting, new look into the lives of those who created the book and what they went through to get that book into the hands of an interested reader.

d. Reviews:

“The book's fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them.” –School Library Journal

“Montgomery gives a chronological, sometimes moment-by-moment account of the challenging climb into the remote cloud forest, the conditions in camp (rice-and-fern dinners, icy waterfall showers), and the awe-inspiring encounters with barely studied animals. The text occasionally veers into a casual tone ("a leech dropped into Lisa's eye. Yuck!") that seems aimed at a young audience, while the small font, exacting detail, and meandering narrative may demand older readers. Still, Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission.” –Booklist

“Bishop’s sharply focused photographs have a ‘you are there’ quality, while Montgomery vividly captures the scientists’ excitement when they snare several tree kangaroos — each the size of a small dog or overweight cat — to fit them with radio collars for tracking from afar.” -The Washington Post

“Montgomery's friendliness and curiosity set the tone...Bishop's photography is, as always, outstanding...Dabek's advice to young naturalists...[is a] useful addition.” -Horn Book

“From the maps in front to the concluding suggestions for young enthusiasts, information about the language, and index, this is another commendable title from an experienced team.” -Kirkus

“In this fact-packed adventure with stunning photos, readers join scientists in New Guinea to radio-collar the way-cute tree-dweller.”

-People Magazine

“From the maps in front to the concluding suggestions for young enthusiasts, information about the language, and index, this is another commendable title from an experienced team.” –Publishers Weekly

Awards/Honors:

Winner of the 2007 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award

2007 Robert F. Sibert Award, Honor

2006 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Henry Bergh Children's Book Award

John Burroughs Young Reader Award

A Green Earth Honor Book from the Newton Marasco Foundation

2007 Julia Ward Howe Finalist Award from the Boston Authors Club

Henry Bergh Children's Book Award

Named one of the TOP 10 books of the year for children by The Washington Post

A Booklist Editor's Choice for 2006

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2006

A National Science Teachers Association Council on Children's Books tstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 Selection

A NSTA/CBC Selector's Choice

A Junior Library Guild Selection

e. Connections:

Since the scientists on this expedition had to give up a lot just to find the special tree kangaroos, students could write about their dream job and what they would be willing to sacrifice. They can discuss obstacles and ways they would overcome these.

Research is an important part of our world and making it better. Have the students discuss the importance of research and capability it has of making a difference in our world. Why is this important? What differences can it make? What are some important things to be researched?

The students can make a picture glossary together as they go through the book. There are many new animals, places, and descriptions that they can add and make their own.

On page seven of the text, the author gives a description of a tree kangaroo and with this makes a comparison saying it looked like “something that Dr. Seuss might have dreamed up.” Students can search Dr. Seuss books to find a character they think most resembles the tree kangaroo and why.

Students could think of their own new animal. They should describe its habitat and needs. They could create a place for it on the food chain and discuss its impact on its surrounding environment. They can draw this new animal or make a three-dimensional model of it.