Magic Tree House Research Guide: Dolphins and Sharks

Bibliographic information: 

Osborne, Mary Pope, Boyce, Natalie Pope.  Magic Tree House Research Guide: Dolphins and Sharks.  A Stepping Stone Book, 2003, illust. Murdocca, Sal, p. 128.

Brief plot description:

Have you ever been on a trip to see something and then when you got back want to learn more about the things seen?  In this book Jack and Annie have gotten back from a trip and decided to learn more about dolphins and sharks.  The first chapter the reader learns about the size of the ocean, the layers of the ocean, the food chain, and the coral reef.  In the next two chapters the reader learns about dolphins; specifically their characteristics, types, and communication.  Then there is information about sharks including the types of sharks, predators, and hunting abilities.  Dolphins and sharks are in danger from being caught by fishing nets and ships messing up their echolocation.  Scientists are doing research on how to protect the dolphins and sharks, and conservationists are also helping protect dolphins and sharks.  The book ends with some things that one can do to help protect these animals in the wild. 

Brief review:

I like this book because it gives great information on dolphins and sharks in a chapter book.  This book could be used in fourth through sixth grade as a research book or individual read.  I think that the book could be used as supplemental text or when talking about the ocean and the animals that live in it.  I think that children will enjoy this book because it is part of a popular series and because the information is really interesting.  The book provides more research guides that can be helpful, such as, videos and the internet.  The book also has a table of contents and index.  On the pages are illustrations that are black and white and look like sketches.  There are also extra information or definitions of words mentioned in the text.  Some of the illustrations are real photos that have been printed in black and white. 

Genre label:

Informational, Animals

Reading level/interest level:

4^th – 6^th graders

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