Quest for the Tree Kangaroo by Sy Montgomery

Bibliography:

Montgomery, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea. Photos. by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. ISBN 9780547248929

Plot Summary:

In this fascinating book, we learn about Matschie's tree kangaroo...a rare and beautiful creature...only found in New Guinea. It is one of ten kinds of tree kangaroos on the planet. It is also one of the rarest creatures on the earth and in danger of becoming more rare. A research team sets out to explore the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea and to learn the secrets of the tree kangaroo. Scientist Lisa Dabek leads the team every year to learn more about her favorite animal. "Impossibly 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." Author, Sy Montgomery, and photographer, Nic Bishop, join the difficult, but rewarding and exciting journey.

Critical Analysis:

This large book catches the eyes of children with a cover of a sweet, furry creature snacking on something green. Upon opening the book, readers will see large and small colorful photos of the native people of New Guinea, the cloud forest jungle, rare animals, and so much more. Each photograph is explained and ties in with the text. The pictures are so vibrant and interesting, they really leave you wanting more. Their placement on the pages is inviting and has good use of variation as far as size, color, and photo bleeding. Though entrenched with good material, the text is not overly small and the headings are large and colorful.

The text follows a chronological order. It is lively and includes interest, personal stories, and factual information. The book also includes a list of words from the native language of Tok Pisin. Readers can refer to the list of “Tree Kangaroos Near You” in order to experience the delight of seeing one in person. The author and field researcher are both women with impressive backgrounds. Sy Montgomery is an award-winning author who experiences her writing first-hand by exploring the world. Dr. Lisa Dabek worked at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island as the zoo’s director of conservation and research. Photographer Nic Bishop is an acclaimed photographer of children’s books and also holds a doctorate in biological sciences.

This story can be read by people of many ages and is interesting to all! Personally, I found it simply fascinating. The text is clear, readable, and exciting. As you begin reading the book, you will be immediately drawn into the events and you will celebrate when Lisa and her team discover tree kangaroos. “There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing a tree kangaroo up close,” Lisa says. “To know one is to love one. They’re so endearing. They are truly the ambassadors for their wild cousins. When people see them eat, watch them move, see what they do, they’ll want to help them.” After reading, kids will want to learn more about the elusive tree kangaroo.

Review Excerpts:

• A 2007 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
• 2007 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Winner
• From School Library Journal (starred review)-"Montgomery and Bishop continue their outstanding collaboration to introduce readers to scientists at work. Here, they document their participation in an expedition to the rugged and remote cloud forest of Papua New Guinea in search of the elusive and fascinating Matschie's tree kangaroo. 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."
• From Booklist (starred review)-"Montgomery and Bishop follow award-wining titles such as The Tarantula Scientist (2004) with another beautifully illustrated entry in the Scientists in the Field series. Montgomery gives a chronological, sometimes moment-by-moment account of the challenging climb into the remote cloud forest, the conditions in camp, and the awe-inspiring encounters with barely studied animals. She also communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information. As usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work. 
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review)-"...another commendable title from an experienced team."
• From Horn Book-"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."
• From People Magazine-"In this fact-packed adventure with stunning photos, readers joins scientists in New Guinea to radio-collar the way-cute tree-dweller."

Connections:

Have students complete a research project about the Kakapo of New Zealand...visit Sy Montgomery website

What would YOU would pack on an expedition to New Guinea? Make a list of the stuff
you use daily, starting with when you get up in the morning. Which of these items would
you want to bring to Papua New Guinea? What would you leave behind? What would you substitute?
And what would you need for an expedition that you don’t normally use? Compare with
your classmates. (Now, can you carry that uphill for three days?)

What other animals intrigued you in Papua New Guinea? Do a report on one of them.
Then write up all the unknowns about the animal. Maybe you will be the next person to
study it!

Journaling: for five days, try to keep a journal like the author did. Try not to merely list
everything you did; try to make it into an interesting story with a theme. Remember you
don’t have to put in every single thing that happened. Just put in the parts that are most
interesting to you. Tell us why these things were interesting or important. What about
each day would you want to share with a friend?

Share some other books written by Sy Montgomery with students:
Journey of the Pink Dolphins: An Amazon Quest ISBN 9781603580601
Spell of the Tiger: The Man-Eaters of Sundarbans ISBN 9781603580595
Walking with the Great Aples: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birute Galdikas ISBN 9781603580625
Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa;s Fastest Cat ISBN 9780547815497
The Tapir Scientist: Saving South America's Largest Mammal ISBN 9780547815480