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(4)
K-3
Xtreme Raptors series.
In clear language useful for third-grade researchers, this series depicts raptors as tough predators with curved beaks, sharp talons, keen eyesight, fierce hunting skills, and carnivorous eating habits. Numerous action photos demonstrating similarities and differences in habitat and prey are featured in the formulaic structure of each volume. Rescue details human interventions to save injured raptors. Glos., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Raptors titles: Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Raptor Rescue, and Vultures.
176 pp.
| Charlesbridge
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58089-788-4$16.99
(3)
4-6
Thirteen-year-old Karma's love of falconry leads to heartbreak when Stark, her foster gyrfalcon, must return to her original owner. But during the trip across Montana, a blown tire means that Karma--with Stark and a runaway boy named Cooper--must traverse the wilderness for help. The girl's deep connection with her raptor, one rarely represented in literature, distinguishes this survival page-turner.
(4)
K-3
Amazing Animals series.
Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of the title birds are the highlights of these slim volumes. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and supplies a folk-story answer to a question about each creature (e.g., "Why is the falcon such a fast flier? American Indians in the southeastern United States thought..."). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Amazing Animals titles: Falcons and Storks.
32 pp.
| Adventure
| May, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59193-516-2$12.95
(4)
K-3
Maggie, a badly injured peregrine falcon, is rescued by a team of doctors at Virginia's Wildlife Center and becomes an "education bird." The text is generally informative but unfortunately relies too much on anthropomorphizing ("This news makes Maggie happy") to tell the story. Gove-Berg's fascinating photos documenting the rehabilitation process add value. Additional peregrine falcon and wildlife hospital information is appended.
(4)
4-6
Living Wild series.
Eye-catching close-up photographs enliven these informative texts, focusing on one animal per volume. Appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, conservation efforts, and presence in human culture are all addressed in great detail, while sidebars provide additional information. Although lengthy chapters and the absence of a table of contents make quick reference difficult, thorough indexing helps mitigate this drawback. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Living Wild titles: Falcons and Storks.
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Birds of Prey series.
A controlled-vocabulary but repetitive text highlights physical features as well as eating, nesting, and chick-rearing habits of a bird of prey; a brief chapter on potential threats and conservation efforts concludes each volume. Relevant full-page photos on each spread provide close-ups of the birds in action. Common Core tie-ins and a simple map are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Pebble Plus: Birds of Prey titles: California Condors, Golden Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-738-2$17.95
(4)
K-3
Super SandCastle: Animal Superpowers series.
Short sentences and eye-catching color photographs introduce the "superpower" that makes peregrine falcons unique in addition to more basic facts. The information amounts to a cursory glance, but the material is presented in an engaging manner and may inspire further research. An illustrated "superhero" falcon and a quiz are appended. Glos.
(4)
4-6
In the Holy Roman Empire of the thirteenth century, fourteen-year-old Andreas rescues a female peregrine falcon from certain death, smuggles her out of the castle where he works as an apprentice falconer, and embarks on an adventurous journey with a trader. This thoroughly researched novel requires a reader patient enough to get through its many lengthy, detailed historical descriptions.
32 pp.
| Random
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-86866-5$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-96866-2$20.99
(4)
K-3
In an unchildlike voice, a boy muses about being a falcon. Though the text and illustrations have a dreamy quality, the bird behavior is accurately portrayed (e.g., hunting and diving behavior). The spare text is matched by careful illustrations, by turns imaginative and detailed, from the falcon's point of view or that of a watcher. An appealing flight of fancy.
304 pp.
| Cavendish
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5979-8$17.99
(3)
YA
Stubborn Rain, a stained-glass designer, is robbed and abandoned far from home, in a troubled foreign city where her talents are useless. Calm Peri, a falconer and one of society's "untouchables," must determine if and how to help her. Their romance shines at the center of Golding's believable depiction of a society on the verge of disintegration in this engrossing fantasy adventure.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-936087-93-8$22.61
(4)
K-3
Blink of an Eye: Superfast Animals series.
This book spotlights the peregrine falcon, "the fastest animal in the world." Very brief and selective information about the creature is provided (what it eats, where it lives, DDT survival) along with comparisons to other animals and inanimate objects (e.g., a roller coaster, a baseball). Vivid photos and sidebars in the shape of stopwatches emphasize the series' focus. Reading list. Glos., ind.
362 pp.
| Greenwillow
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-172452-7$16.99
(4)
YA
Household maid Addy discovers a lift that transports her back in time. Mistaken for a lady, Addy decides to stay--until learning she's been promised to brutish Sir Hugh. While the concept is engaging, execution is somewhat sloppy; Addy isn't very likable and the language verges on cheesy at times. A brief appended author's note clarifies time periods.
48 pp.
| NorthWord
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 1-55971-911-7$10.95
|
PaperISBN 1-55971-912-5$7.95
(4)
K-3
Our Wild World series.
Illustrated by
Sherry Neidigh.
Photographs by
Wayne Lynch.
Lynch presents an extensive and well-researched portrayal of three types of birds of prey. Those interested in the creatures will find the series informative and helpful with report writing. Clear, attractive photos add interest to the text, occasional drawings do not. Sidebars provide additional information. Vocabulary words are explained within the text. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World titles: Falcons, Owls, and Vultures.
(3)
4-6
Animals under Threat series.
The peregrine falcon's comeback from the ranks of endangered species offers an example of what animal conservation activism can accomplish. Illustrated with color photos, the text includes an overview of this bird's physical characteristics and life cycle, and the problems of DDT and illegal egg collecting are reviewed. Raptor protection is encouraged in a "Getting involved" section. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
48 pp.
| Benchmark
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1616-1$$25.64
(3)
4-6
Animals Animals series.
This clearly written book discusses the general differences between hawks and falcons and describes their physical characteristics, life cycles, migration patterns, and choices of prey. Brief mention is made of the effects of DDT, development, and poaching on these raptors. The crisp color photos, which often fill the page, should attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Dutton
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46907-9$$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Daniel San Souci.
Frightful, the falcon who appeared in the author's My Side of the Mountain trilogy, returns in a picture book. Now the focus is on her hatchling, Oksi, who "did things her own way" and ends up wintering in the north with young Sam Gribley. Though well illustrated, the text is wordy and overwritten, suggesting that Oksi's story would also be better suited for a novel than a picture book.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| September, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1353-2$$21.90
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kristin Kest.
Readers follow a peregrine falcon's annual eight-thousand-mile trip from Alaska to Argentina, as the text presents information about her habits, including feeding, resting, bathing, and interacting with other birds along the way. Detailed paintings illustrate habitats and behaviors. An author's note provides more information and states that the story was based on the migration of a falcon tracked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
258 pp.
| Dutton
| October, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46269-4$$24.99
(3)
4-6
My Side of the Mountain (1959), On the Far Side of the Mountain (1990), and Frightful's Mountain (1999)--the three novels about Sam Gribley and his survival in the wilderness--are collected here in one volume. Though somewhat unwieldly, the book will be appreciated by fans of the trilogy. Reviews 10/59, 7/90.
258 pp.
| Dutton
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46166-3$$15.99
(3)
4-6
Fans of My Side of the Mountain will be glad to revisit Sam Gribley in this sequel, though its focus is mostly on Frightful, the peregrine falcon. After being returned to the wild, Frightful adopts three motherless falcon chicks, hatches her own nestlings, and migrates south. The book is long, with frequent shifts between human and animal perspectives, but the detailed nature writing is sure handed.