Parrott-Ryan, Maria. Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation. Lerner/Millbrook, 9/2023. 56pp. Nonfiction. Trade $33.32. 978-1-7284-6041-3. GRADES 5–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
How and why do scientists decide to study something? Readers will see the process in action as they follow Jonathan Martin, a scientist in Wisconsin, through an inadvertent discovery and investigation. He notices something unexpected (UV light made a flying squirrel glow), which sparks his quest to see if other flying squirrels glow, and why. Martin recruits several other scientists at his college, including a chemist, who help determine what to study, how to be sure they look at the right details, and how their study expands to include other similar animals (springhares and platypuses). Fascinating photographs of the animals’ bioluminescence and the scientists’ procedures demonstrate the scientific process in action.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library