Secrets of the Lost City: A Scientific Adventure in the Honduran Rain Forest

Gr 5 Up–This is an exciting jungle adventure—part archeological exploration, part biological conservation mission. Markle’s latest first follows filmmaker Steve Elkins as his team searches for the lost city of the jaguar. They find archaeological treasures and the foundations of a great city. However, dangers abound in the untamed wilderness and discourage future exploration. But it is the untamed nature of this area that intrigues biologists. Two years after the archaeological exploration, Conservation International sends in a team to investigate the lost city. They discover new species, pristine water, and even rediscover a species scientists had believed to be lost. This text does a great job sharing archaeological and scientific information through a narrative adventure. This choice makes it a good resource for paired passage instruction as well as for developing disciplinary literacy. The book is driven by action-packed, gorgeous photographs throughout. The pages are not text heavy, and students will find the work accessible. They will benefit from the images, including maps and charts. These also feature captions to support understanding. Back matter includes a glossary, index, and suggested further reading.