Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia

by Sy Montgomery, Nic Bishop (Photographer)

Overview

School Library Journal Best Book of 2009

A NSTA/CBS Outstanding Science Trade Book for 2010

2009 Booklists's editors' list of the Top 10 Environmental Titles for Youth

 

With a dazzling as-it-happens narrative and spectacular photographs, readers, young and old, will be fascinated as they discover why these mysterious cats are called ghosts of the mountain. Readers will also be stunned by how much perseverance it takes to research and protect this endangered, little-understood species.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547727349
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/04/2012
Series:	Scientists in the Field Series
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	264,178
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.86(h) x 0.26(d)
Lexile:	840L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

In addition to researching films, articles, and thirty-six books, National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery has been honored with a Sibert Medal, two Science Book and Film Prizes from the National Association for the Advancement of Science, three honorary degrees, and many other awards. She lives in Hancock, New Hampshire, with her husband, Howard Mansfield, and their border collie, Thurber.

Nic Bishop, who holds a doctorate in the biological sciences, is the photographer of many acclaimed books for children. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.Visit his website at: nicbishop.com  

Hometown:

Hancock, New Hampshire

Date of Birth:

February 7, 1958

Place of Birth:

Frankfurt, Germany

Education:

Syracuse University: B.A., Newhouse School of Public Communications, 1979; B.A., College of Arts and Sciences, 1979

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–8—Reading this book is an extraordinary experience. It has an elegant layout featuring ornamental lettering, watermarks, and gorgeous photos; were it not for the delightfully exuberant text, it would be a stately coffee table book. But kids will giggle about the central role of scat or, as Montgomery often writes, "poo," in the research of snow leopards' habits. Children will be swept up in the buoyant account of the journey through Mongolia led by Tom McCarthy, conservation director of the Snow Leopard Trust, in search of the elusive cat known as the "ghost of the mountain." He has devoted much of his life to studying these animals and persuading their human neighbors of the importance of their survival. Montgomery's enthusiasm translates well to the page and will have readers cheering for the entourage as they attempt to spot a snow leopard. This slender book abounds with information, including stories of McCarthy's rare, powerful past encounters with the cat, as well as zoological and cultural sidebars. Bishop's trademark stunning photography fills out the book with breathtaking views of the extreme environs of Central Asia and warm portraits of the charming people who live there. Author's and photographer's notes aren't typically as engaging as the main text, but the reflections of Montgomery and Bishop on their experiences with McCarthy's crew are eloquent, integral parts of the book. A great way to learn about a spectacular animal and its habitat.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

School Library Journal

It's no easy feat to write a book about one of the most charismatic yet notoriously elusive creatures on the planet without a single sighting, but Montgomery pulls it off with style. This latest in the superlative Scientists in the Field series focuses on wildlife biologist Tom McCarthy and his efforts to study and preserve the snow leopard. The author and photographer accompanied him on an expedition to Mongolia, and they put themselves right into the narrative, introducing the other members of the group and describing their relationships with local herders, the exhausting hikes, the excitement of scat discoveries ("As if he's savoring some special cheese or fine wine, Tom picks up the poop and sniffs it") and the progress made in conservation efforts. The lively narrative is interspersed with accounts of leopard encounters from McCarthy's previous expeditions as well as supplemental facts about Mongolia and its people. The ample backmatter includes a Mongolian phrase glossary, information on the Snow Leopard Trust, McCarthy's advice to budding scientists, author's and photographer's notes and an index. A bibliography of sources used is available online. (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews