Quest for the Tree Kangaroo

Montgomery, Sy. Photos by Eric Bishop. 2006. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.  ISBN  9780618496419

(Photo obtained from symontgomery.com)

   Plot Summary

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo follows “a team of scientists and volunteers” (including author Sy Montgomery and photographer Eric Bishop) led by scientist Lisa Dabek, on a quest to learn more about a rare breed of tree kangaroo – the Matschie’s tree kangaroo -- in Papua New Guinea.      

Analysis

When considering the merits of Quest for the Tree Kangaroo as an informational book for children, the accuracy of the content must be explored.  Although the author, Sy Montgomery, is not a scientist, she is accompanied on this mission by a team of eight other individuals with scientific backgrounds specific to animal behavior and veterinary medicine.  As mentioned in the book, the Matschie’s tree kangaroo research is very underdeveloped due to the elusiveness of the species.  The information obtained while on this quest is thoroughly documented by Montgomery but also photographically by Bishop solidifying accuracy. 

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo is well-written and organized in a manner that enhances the information being presented.  Montgomery showcases the journey with strong imagery, while Bishop’s photography, both vibrant in color and composition, enable the reader to feel as if he or she is actually on the team, traipsing through the “Moss and ferns, vines and orchids, hang from branches likes the beards of wise old wizards.”  Montgomery then introduces the reader to the entire team, providing a brief biography to ensure familiarity when the characters are mentioned later on in the story.  Stylistically, the text is written somewhat informally and humorous (“To get in shape for this hike, many of us Westerners worked out in health clubs.  We bought good hiking shoes. We’re taking special vitamins.  Yet, in terms of overall fitness – strength, endurance – the local people, in their bare feet, leave us Westerners in the dust.  Or the mud.” Or “This pair is no mother and baby, but a grown-up male and female on a tree kangaroo date.”) making the information easier to understand by younger readers but also to entertain the reader so as to avoid some of the drier qualities that transmission of non-fiction information often falls prey to. 

Overall, Quest for the Tree Kangaroo was an enjoyable read for an adult and a child alike.  However, with the magnitude of text found on each page, with smaller font, can be daunting to a younger reader and is recommended for a more independent reader or a child over the age of 10.    

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL – “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.”

BOOKLIST – “Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission. 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.”

Awards, Mentions and/or Honors

2006 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

2006 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Henry Bergh Children's Book Award

John Burroughs Young Reader Award

A Green Earth Honor Book from the Newton Marasco Foundation

An Orbis Pictus Award for nonfiction from the National Council of Teachers of English!

2007 Julia Ward Howe Finalist Award from the Boston Authors Club

Henry Bergh Children's Book Award

Named one of the TOP TEN books of the year for children by The Washington Post

A Booklist Editor's Choice for 2006

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2006

A National Science Teachers Association Council on Children's Books Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 Selection

A NSTA/CBC Selector's Choice

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Enrichment Activities

Class Activities: http://symontgomery.com/wp-content/themes/toolbox/downloads/kangaroo-activities.pdf

Books like Quest for the Tree Kangaroo

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell

The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia by Sy Montgomery