The Most Beautiful Roof in the World: Exploring the Rainforest Canopy »

KATHRYN LASKY's many books for young people have received such honors as the Parents' Choice Award, the National Jewish Book Award, and a Newbery Honor citation. Her picture books include The Emperor's Old Clothes, illustrated by David Catrow; A Brilliant Streak: The Making of Mark Twain, illustrated by Barry Moser; and Marven of the Great North Woods, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. xensei.com/users/newfilm/homelsk.htm

Journey along with Dr. Meg Lowman, a scientist who, with the help of slings, suspended walkways, and mountain-climbing equipment, has managed to ascend into one of our planet’s least accessible and most fascinating ecosystems—the rain-forest canopy. “Fresh in outlook and intriguing in details, this book will strengthen any library collection on the rainforest.”—Booklist

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8Meg Lowman is a scientist who has spent years studying the rain forest canopy. Lasky and Knight join her in the treetops of Belize to record the wonders of plant and animal life found more than 100 feet above the ground. Yet, this book is not simply another chronicle of rain forest ecology, although the exceptional full-color photographs document with clarity the teeming life to be found there. Lasky also explains the methods scientists use to conduct research in this environment, sometimes under extremely difficult circumstances. For example, to gather leaf samples in Cameroon, Lowman had to hang over the edge of an inflatable raft suspended beneath a dirigible. In Belize, she uses walkways high above ground and, for the first time, allows her young sons to join her in the canopy. The long hours the scientist devotes to her work are not minimized, but her love for her research is evident. Her story might encourage young women considering science careers. Lowman's reading to her sons at bedtime from Treasure Island and her private ruminations about Harriet Tubman seem a bit forced and extraneous, but they shouldn't discourage anyone from purchasing this unusual and effective book.Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN