Extreme Survivors

K-Gr 2—This short, readable work focuses on the flora and fauna that flourish in the harshest environments because of their specialized physical features. Creatures discussed include reptiles, birds, mammals, ocean dwellers, insects, and bacteria, among others. Explanations are brief and simple. The sections on penguins and polar bears will provide a smooth transition for readers new to the subject but provide no amazing insights (for instance, polar bears stay warm because of "twin layers of fur"). Information on rattlesnakes and kangaroo rats is slightly more intriguing. The book is uneven; for example, readers will find out that pink algae in the Yellowstone National Park's Morning Glory Pool survives because of its color, but no details are given as to how this process works. The cover photo (a water bear, a microanimal that can live under almost any condition) likely won't draw in students, but once they've picked up this title, they'll glide through the easy-to-read text. As fodder for developing reading fluency, the book is useful, but readers will only be able to follow up on a few of the subjects (polar bears, penguins, sperm whales, rattlesnakes). The rest will require adult assistance for further reading, making this an additional purchase.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA