The Monarch Effect

March 1, 2024
Grades 5-8 The plight of the monarch butterfly comes into focus through a variety of perspectives in Church's study of this insect. She begins with larvae munching on milkweed to absorb its toxic properties, which will eventually manifest in the monarch's signature black-and-orange wings--wings that have inspired cultures, scientists, and citizens to care for these charismatic creatures in different ways. The monarchs in question are the western hemisphere's migrating varieties, whose numbers have dramatically fallen in recent years. While pursuing the questions of how, why, and what can be done to help, Church introduces pioneers in monarch research, such as Dr. Lincoln Brower (a champion of conservation) and Dr. Fred and Norah Urquhart (vanguards of migration studies), in addition to important contributions from citizen scientists (e.g., Catalina Trail) and Indigenous communities in Mexico where the butterflies overwinter. In addition to fascinating scientific insights into monarch butterfly biology and behavior, Church puts forth considerable food for thought on best practices for protecting this beloved animal, encouraging a holistic approach that puts Indigenous knowledge on equal footing with Western science.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2024
An overview of monarch butterfly science. Church offers an extensive account of the discovery of the phenomenon of monarch migration from the east and central U.S. and Canada to their winter home, north of Mexico City. She opens with what locals knew at the time, describing 1940s school trips (recalled by Homero Aridjis, later Mexico's UNESCO ambassador) to see "rivers of butterflies" in sanctuaries in Michoac�n. She later details Aridjis' successful efforts to protect them through UNESCO World Heritage Site status. In between, the author describes monarch development and recounts the series of experiments that led to scientific understanding of their life cycle. Similarly, she describes the procedures that two different sets of scientists developed to track migrating monarchs. Church devotes a full chapter to the experience of Catalina Trail, the Mexican woman who led Canadian scientists to the actual wintering sites. She then describes efforts to protect these sites, human pressures on the sanctuaries, the rise of citizen science tracking efforts in the U.S., and the impact of changing agricultural practices. She even discusses monarch populations west of the Rocky Mountains and beyond North America. Occasional black-and-white photos supplement the text. This thoroughly researched work is not easy reading for the intended audience, but educators and determined science-minded readers will appreciate the clear presentation of the complexities of environmental protection in the modern world. An enthusiastic and information-packed narrative. (author's note, glossary, references, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 9-14)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024

Gr 5 Up-It was as recently as 1975 that the overwintering site for millions of eastern monarch butterflies was discovered in Michoac�n, Mexico. Initially credited to Canadian zoologist Fred Urquhart and his wife Norah, the breakthrough was actually made by an Indigenous Mexican naturalist, Carolina Trail (then Aguado), and her American husband, working for Urquhart. Church traces the intrigue among scientists racing to study the migration while keeping the site secret, as well as subsequent studies over decades examining how the insects know where and when to go, how they find milkweed for their caterpillars to eat, and much more. Later chapters outline challenges to conservation of the endangered butterflies and their fragile ecosystem. The tone of the writing is colloquial, with judgments like "really cool" or "super interesting." An author's note includes many suggestions of resources for learning more about the topic, recommendations for becoming involved by tracking and monitoring, and other citizen science initiatives. The volume concludes with a lengthy glossary and very extensive list of references, including books, magazine and newspaper articles, websites, and interviews, much of which will be inaccessible to the book's target audience. However, there are no individual source notes or citations. Photos and other illustrations complement the text throughout. VERDICT While there is much to fascinate budding biologists, the writing in this extensive text can be slow moving and is best suited to patient middle school readers.-Bob Hassett

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.