Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2019 Gr 4–6—Whale sharks are one of the most mysterious creatures of the oceans. Little has been known about their habits and existence. Declared endangered in 2016, they have dropped in number precipitously due to killing, climate change, and encounters with large boats and seine nets. Two juvenile whale sharks caught in a mile-long purse seine net set the stage for an exploration of the species. Whale sharks are not whales, and the author explains the differences between them. The feeding patterns, migration, and very unusual gestation of this fish are shown through full-color photographs, maps, and charts. Scientists and marine biologists studying whale sharks have made advances in monitoring their migration and life patterns and are working to protect these magnificent creatures. A time line lays out the growing information available to scientists involved in the conservation of whale sharks. The juveniles caught in the net are shown to be rescued and released with the help of divers from a whale shark rescue program. The author also makes a plea for the protection of the much-maligned great white shark. Using clear language, interesting data, and exciting photographs, the author presents information on an otherwise little-studied subject. VERDICT Well organized, clearly written, and excitingly illustrated, this highly enlightening work is an excellent addition for any nature collection as well as for the study of the environment and endangered species.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, NY - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/15/2019 If sharks are scary, what about whale sharks—the biggest of all? Though the text compares their full-grown length to that of a school bus, the fear factor is diminished when readers learn that it eats only small fish, krill, and plankton. The species is endangered, its numbers diminished due to commercial fishing trawlers. As climate change shifts ocean temperatures along with the whale sharks’ migration routes, biologists are using new technologies to collect data on their movements and asking countries to protect marine areas vital to the whale shark. Markle shares her fascination with the species, clearly explaining what is known and wondering about questions that are not yet understood, such as why pregnant females release their pups near intercontinental ridges. The many color photos, diagrams, and maps are well integrated with the text, providing pictures of whale sharks and researchers as well as visual aids for explaining matters such as how purse-seine-fishing nets work. A fascinating companion volume to Markle’s The Great Penguin Rescue (2017) and The Great Rhino Rescue (2018). - Copyright 2019 Booklist.