Markle, Sandra. Call the Bee Doctor!: How Science Is Saving Honey Bees. Sandra Markle’s Science Discoveries. Millbrook, 10/2024. 48pp. Nonfiction. PLB $33.32. 979-8765626795. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
About twenty years ago, beekeepers noticed the dramatic disappearance of honeybees, a crucial species to food production. Markle’s latest in her Science Discoveries series explains how experts are working to prevent this problem by medically treating bees with vaccines and gene modification. The writing is engaging, with quotes from scientists, but with a casual tone that will appeal to a wide age range. Filled with well-captioned color photos, sidebars, and two maps, this will attract readers due to the dynamic book design; it will also be useful to young researchers. This is a useful supplementary source to books about the bee crisis such as the Sibert Medal winner Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera (Neal Porter, 2020). Back matter includes an author’s note, list of honeybee facts, glossary, source notes, list of resources, and index.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool