Cave Detectives

August 1, 2007
Gr 4-6-In 2001, a road crew in Missouri discovered a cave while trying to blast away a hill. It was a major setback to the construction team, but it was a dream come true for scientists because it contained the oldest ice age fossils ever found in North America. This slim book, designed to look like a scientist's journal with photographs, sketches, and scraps of paper taped inside, tells how the cave was found, how it was explored, and what went on in it hundreds of thousands of years ago. Harrison, a parasitologist and cave explorer himself, keeps the focus on how the scientists use their detective-like skills to solve the mysteries of Riverbluff Cave. Although the type is small, the narrative is smooth and easy to follow, and the inviting design will draw readers in. Some of the illustrations make the book seem a little more juvenile than it really is, but the well-chosen photographs of ancient bear-claw marks, peccary tracks, and fossilized bear droppings add to the book's appeal. Pair this with the "Scientists in the Field" series (Houghton) to introduce kids to the fascinating mysteries that modern-day scientists are busy solving."Marcia Kochel, Olson Middle School, Bloomington, MN"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.