Book Description
for Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R. Swinburne
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Dr. Kimberly Stewart lives and works on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean to study and protect leatherback sea turtles. The leatherback is a “critically endangered species” — its population has dropped over 80 percent in roughly the last one hundred years. Threats worldwide come from habitat loss, fishing, and marine debris. On St. Kitts, Stewart’s research monitoring and protecting sea turtle nests has included establishing the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network. Her work includes a sea turtle camp for local children and educating others in the community about the importance of sea turtles to the larger ocean ecosystem. She’s also involved in efforts to help the local community develop economic opportunities beyond those related to turtle harvesting. One local man, a former turtle fisherman, has become one of her most important partners because of the influence of “the turtle lady.” Information about the leatherbacks is integrated into sidebars and stand-alone chapters in a volume that stands out for both its engaging narrative and fine design, which includes ample color photographs. (Ages 9–13)
CCBC Choices 2015. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2015. Used with permission.