The Frog Scientist (Scientists in the Field

Scientists in the Field

by Pamela S. Turner, Andy Comins (Photographs)

The critically acclaimed Scientist in the Field book about how one boy s interest in backyard science inspired a career in scientific discovery.

When Tyrone Hayes was growing up in South Carolina, he didn t worry about pesticides. He just liked to collect frogs. Tyrone s interest in science led him to Harvard University, and though he struggled at first, he found his calling in the research lab of an amphibian scientist.

Meanwhile, scientists discovered that all around the globe, frogs were dying. The decline has many causes, including habitat loss and disease. Tyrone discovered that the most commonly used pesticide in the United States, atrazine, may also play a role. Tyrone tested atrazine on frogs in his lab at Berkeley. He found that the chemical caused some of the male frogs to develop into bizarre half-male, half-female frogs. What was going on? That s what Tyrone wants to find out."

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Middle Grade, Biography

58 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2009

About the author

Pamela S. Turner has an abiding fascination with science, animals, evolution, and a special interest in Japanese history. She is the author of award-winning books for young readers, including HOW TO BUILD A HUMAN: IN SEVEN EVOLUTIONARY STEPS, an ALA Notable Book, SAMURAI RISING, a YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist, as well as CROW SMARTS and THE FROG SCIENTIST, both winners of the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books. Her newest book, COMET CHASER, is the true Cinderella story of Caroline Herschel, the first professional woman astronomer.

When not writing, she practices kendo (Japanese sword fighting) and volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in crows and ravens.

Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at www.pamelasturner.com, follow her on Instagram at @pamela.s.turner, Twitter @psturnerbooks, and Facebook /psturnerbooks/.

Reviews

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Pamela Turner work as usual. Obviously a young person book, but it's of use and interest for everyone.

[LauraW · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written for a slightly older audience than I expected and thus the level of difficulty of the text and the descriptions were more advanced than I expected. So, I have tagged it as good for students a bit older than middle grades elementary. The book is semi-biographical and semi-scientific. The biographical parts capture the human interest side of science, the scientific parts elucidate some of the intricacies of scientific research. On the whole, it is well-balanced. I appreciate the little box at the end explaining that the real scientific research was a bit more complicated than the text could cover. There is also a glossary and a bibliography. And the photos throughout are also excellent.

I was interested in this book, because one of my book clubs read The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History and it begins with an extensive discussion of the problems with frogs dying out. This book doesn't mention the larger problem of many more species beyond just the many endangered frog species, but it is an interesting accompaniment, even if the audiences for the books are different.

Finally, it should be mentioned that this book includes quite a few people who are not white Caucasians. This would make an excellent choice for people who are looking to make their book selections more inclusive.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually want to give this 3 1/2 stars. This is part of the "Scientists in the Field" series, many of which I've read and all of which I've enjoyed. This one was no exception. It details the research biologist Tyrone Hayes is conducting on the effect of pesticides on frogs. His experiments seem to indicate that frog eggs exposed to the pesticide atrazine in the water hatch out male frogs with eggs rather than sperm in their testes. This has dire consequences for the survival of the species. Turner also discusses in the book the alarming discovery of deformed frogs found in ponds all over the country, possibly also caused by pesticides in the water. Why study frogs? Because if pesticides are deforming and altering frogs, they could also be doing the same to people exposed to the same pesticide-laden water. Turner has done and excellent job of summarizing Hayes' work and making it interesting to children. Recommended!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in the “Scientists in the Field” series. In this book, author Pamela Turner follows Dr. Tyrone Hayes, a scientist studying the effect of pesticides on amphibians—in particular the effect of Atrazine on frogs. As the book opens, Tyrone and his students are collecting young frogs from a pond in Wyoming. The frogs are then taken back to Berkeley where the reader observes the meticulous work of scientists working in a laboratory setting.

What I liked about this book:
• Stunning color photos of frogs and toads
• Very important topic—why are amphibians worldwide disappearing?
• Very clear explanation of the scientific method (which many middle schoolers do not understand) —hypothesis, variables, control groups, analyzing results…
• Clear explanations of other scientific concepts and techniques
• The simple sentence structure and informal--even “chatty” style may make this book accessible to a younger audience than some books in this series.
• The book shows a personal as well as a professional side of Tyrone Hayes (he is primarily referred to by his first name). The author presents him as a complete person: family man, concerned teacher, party-giver…wearer of pierced earrings, in addition to being a scientist.
• Showing the work done by young college students in Tyrone’s lab may also make reading about the work of a scientist more accessible to a child.

Things I did not like about this book:
• “Ark section” in middle of book disrupts the narrative flow of this book.
• Not sure how I feel about the inclusion of the chapter on Tyrone’s early life—another narrative flow problem? (have to think about this a bit more)
• Very occasional choice of “slangy” words feels a tad condescending (“truckload” p. 19; “teeny” p. 26). [small quibble:]

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Tarantula Scientist and The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo by Sy Montgomery with photos by Nic Bishop. Both titles are part of the Scientists in the Field series, so I've been wanting to get more titles in that series for my school library. Of course that means I get a chance to read them as well. :)

I thought the Frog Scientist was quite well done. I LOVE Nic Bishop's photographs, so I was curious to see how someone else's photographs would compare. I thought Andy Comins did a fantastic job! (Although from the list of photo credits at the end, a few of the photographs in the book are not his.) My favorite photographs are the variety of close-ups of many species of frogs shown throughout the book.

This isn't a book for younger students. The text is a bit scientific as it discusses Dr. Tyrone Hayes' experiments and results. I found it to be quite readable, but younger students may struggle with the length and the reading level of the material. For older students interested in the scientific process, those who want to be a scientist when they grow up, or those who are simply interested in learning more about frogs and toads, this is a fantastic look at how one scientist who loves what he does is trying to make a difference through his research. 3.5 stars.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his students Berkeley scientist Dr. Tyrone Hayes experiments with frogs in the lab and in the field to determine the effects of the pesticide, Atrazine.
Several things are noteworthy about this Scientist in the Field title: the clear explanation and demonstration of a scientific experiment, from thesis to not-so-clear-cut result; the straightforward explanation of frog and toad development and current concerns - without sensationalizing the problem; the multicultural subtext. It is great to see an African-American scientist and a collection of students of all kinds of backgrounds - representative of the classrooms in many selective colleges today. Photographs of Hayes' middle school son catching and counting frogs in the field with his dad's students will be especially appealing. As always, the photographs are excellent, beautifully reproduced and clearly labeled. And the back matter will lead young frog catchers further. I have had a number of students who would have loved this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite titles in the Scientists in the Field series, this one features Tyrone Hayes who is working hard to figure out why frogs are dying or becoming deformed. His research in the field and lab have led him to point to the pesticide atrazine as a possible culprit. The text is engaging and will help young scientists understand the complex nature of science and the fact that questions about nature aren't always easy to answer. The book features several lively photographs showing Hayes and his staff at work and at play. The photos of frogs of various shapes and sizes add to the pleasure of reading this nonfiction title about a scientist whose passion for his topic is clear and whose path to his current research position wasn't as smooth as it might have been for others. This title is certain to spark curiosity in readers and possibly encourage some to consider a career in science.

[Fia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting hearing about other experiences with frogs, my own experiences seemed pretty basic. Except for that one time I found a frog with four legs that were semi connected to each other. I didn’t care for the way it was written, I’m not a fan of the scientists in the field series. I feel like they tell you about the scientists more that the field sometimes.

[Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway and was incredibly pleased.

The pictures are remarkable, and the moral (actually several morals) are ones that should be learned by everyone.

I would assume the market for this book would be about 7th grade +, but it would easily make a nice coffee table book, or perhaps an excellent addition to waiting rooms of all sorts. There is much to be learned from this book. - word of warning however: there are a few pictures in the book that are quite 'graphic' in a scientific type way - and there are not lots of them, and the ones that are included are quite necessary to the story. (The affects of the pesticide Atrizine on frogs).

The side notes about the 'hero' of the book are also an excellent compliment to the main story that the book unfolds. - In my mind, it even had somewhat of a 'surprise ending'.

An excellent educational book.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All over the world, frogs are disappearing. This book follows biologist Tyrone Hayes as he performs experiments to determine whether a particular pesticide may cause deformities in frogs. The narrative is accessible and interesting, a great combination of personal information about Hayes's career path and scientific information about frogs and the environment. The text interacts with the gorgeous color photographs in a way that draws the reader in. A wonderful addition to the Scientists in the Field series.

Read full review on my blog:
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 6th Goodreads Giveaway I've won. The author Pamela was persistant about getting this copy to me, and I thank her personally for that.

I loved reading this book. It had a little bit of everything in it. As a child, I would often capture tiny tree frogs in a pond we had in the backyard and would drive my mother (who is deathly afraid of snakes and other amphibians) into a mad frenzy! So, it was nice to reflect on such fun memories of my childhood.

This book is fun, humorous, quirky, educating and best of all personable. I recommend this book to anybody 10 or older! :)

[Steven Foote · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was privileged to win this book through the "First Reads" program. I didn't realize that it was a children's book when I signed up for it. In fact, I didn't really realize it was a children's book until I finished. I don't mean to say this book is too advanced for children, but I found it quite informative and entertaining as an adult. It was also very nice to read a children's book about the environment that wasn't trying to brain wash. The photos are amazing, as well. Overall, this was a very good-read for everyone, not just those of us interested in leopard frogs. Read it.

[Charlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids nonfiction should have great pictures and this one does - so many frogs, and more, that make you want to not just pick it up but read it. It's the story of Dr. Tyrone Hayes and his study of the effects of Atrazine on frogs. It's a story of a boy who loved frogs and wasn't so good at school who, with the help of people who believe in him, discovers an interest in research and becomes a scientist. While frogs and an environmental focus may grab the interest of kids, the way the book is written should keep them reading. I think it does a great job of reaching it's intended audience.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fascinating. There is a good blend of very well-written and extremely interesting text along with beautiful and amazing photos. Plus, the photo of the White's Tree Frog makes me want to have one as a pet. They are so cute!

Please read my entire review on my blog at: http://harvestparklibrary.wordpress.c...

[Jasmin]

I remember Tyrone telling us, how much more rewarding it was to be published in a kid's book than to be published in the scientific journal. What good is your research unless it is accessible to the people who really need it.

[Beth Thames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only is great for teaching students about how the envirnment is affecting amphibians, it does an excellent job of teaching the scientific process.

[Susan Stumbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

So fantastic! Longer review soon - as soon as I read this and start writing a review, EVERYBODY reviews it! I feel so uncool now. (; But this book totally deserves tons of fantastic press.

[Jaden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book expertly educated me on facts while keeping it entertaining the entire time. In this book, we learn about the effects of pesticides on frogs, and how the work of a scientist called Tyrone Hayes is giving us more about it. We learned about all the different ways frogs can carry pesticides and how they are affected by it. It made me realize that some experiments cannot be done in the lab, but by going outside and trying to research and study. The major themes in the book were the scientific method and responsibility. For the scientific method, you can see how the book relies on making observations based off evidence instead of baseless assumptions. It always has facts involved in any claim, and ensures no misinformation is said. For responsibility, it talks about how humans need to be more responsible with their trash, and it shows how pesticides can harm the ecosystem of frogs. The main genre of this book is informational nonfiction. Children could learn how the scientific method works, and how important it is to always keep trash out of the environment. This book was WOW book for me as it revealed stuff about frogs, I had no clue of and made me feel bad for them as well.

Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were imagery and figurative language. Imagery was used to make descriptive images in our head more feasible, and they used it when they described the wetlands in so much detail that you felt you were there. For figurative language, it was made during times to showcase the fragility of ecosystems and how it is like a thin wire that can be snapped at any time. These made the book more engaging and fun to read. I consider this to be a anti-bias book because it challenges us to be more open to picking up our trash and thinking about all species and life instead of only humans.

[Stephanie Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: The Frog Scientist is part of the Scientist in the Field series. This is the story of Tyrone Hayes and his team researching how pesticides in the environment are affecting frog populations.

Evaluation: Tyrone Hayes leads a team of researchers from the University of California Berkeley to try to discover why frog populations around the globe are declining, or even going extinct. They believe it may have to do with pesticide runoff from farms. Even though frogs are not a special interest of mine, I found the story, the research, and the photographs very interesting and inspiring. I really loved the personal touches the story includes, such as Tyrone's son researching in the field with him, the story of why he has four earrings, and the celebrations Tyrone holds with his team. The best part of the book was the last paragraph, which says, "In the end, paying attention to the health of our environment isn't just something for frog scientists, farm workers, or government officials. It's for everyone. As Tyrone says: 'Environmental health and human health are one in the same.'"

Teaching Idea: This book would be a great companion to a lessons about the Scientific Method as well as the Nature of Science. The book goes through the step-by-step nature of scientific research. It even includes what happens when things don't turn out as expected and how scientists can adjust their theories or reexamine evidence to discover if there is another explanation for their results.

[Summertime Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very technical book about the research being done on the effects of pesticides on the frog population, took months to read with my 6yo. It follows the scientific process and experiments done by the scientist in an effort affect change in the use of pesticides in the US. It's usefulness is three fold. It seamlessly blends biography, scientific method and lessons about the connectedness of humans and the environment. Sounds boring to me, too.

But my 6yo?

She loved it.

And that is why I put 4 stars. I gave it 3, but she gave it 5, so we settled on 4.

She really enjoyed and asked to read every single caption of every last one of the photos of real frogs and especially the ones with deformed frogs. Every. Single. One. She was simultaneously intrigued by how the frog scientist discovered the effects that pesticides were having and pained that humans "could be so hurtful" to the world.

This book-- despite having a topic way too advanced for a child any self respecting 6yo-- was written in simple, clear, friendly and engaging story-like language making it much more accessible than you might think. Even for a beginning reader.

If your kid is really into frogs or science, I would for sure recommend this book. Your reader will learn a lot, ponder some big questions along the frog scientist and...who knows?

Maybe you will learn something too.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:This is a book that outlines the story of a boy who loves frogs, and follows his interests, which eventually lead him to study frogs and amphibians. Through his research, he is called upon to investigate what may be causing the decline in the frog populations.

 

Evaluation:This is a very informational book about frogs and amphibians, while also following the timeline of Tyrone Hayes’ life, interests, and career. It is a very good book for use in the classroom, which will interest students, while also educating them and teaching them about the importance of research.

 

Teaching Idea:This book could be used in a science unit about amphibians, frogs, effects of pesticides on environments, and even causes of extinction. This would also be a good book to read before having students entering into research, because it is about a researcher.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a boy named Tyrone and his journey as a child growing up in South Carolina. Tyrone loved collecting frogs and didn't think about the germs that come along with collecting and catching frogs until he grew up. He ends up going to Harvard University where he struggled to find his calling. Eventually he comes across an amphibian scientist and endures a new journey following his childhood dream. He ends up discovering that the pesticides used are harming the frogs and he's determined to find a cure for this disease so he can help the frogs.

Teaching point- this would be a great resource book for a STEAM classroom that is learning about frogs and how to take care of them. 4th or 5th grade students can use this book to help them learn about frogs and the steps taken to help protect them. Students can research and present their findings on what they have discovered about helping and protecting frogs.

[Michael Huscusson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has amazing picture of frogs in it. When I think of a frog, I think of the traditional green frogs but this book extremely expands my thought of frogs. The pictures are so colorful and intriguing to the reader. I found two different lessons that could be taught from this book. The first one comes from the beginning of the story when the scientist realizes what he is truly interested in, frogs. It is important for students to explore different things that they enjoy. A teacher could have students create a poster full of different things they are interested in. The other lesson could be for a science lesson. This book gives great information about the scientists discoveries and could be used to explore the aspects of evolution and amphibians. While the story is full of information, it is a great read and can be very fun for students. I highly suggest using this book in a classroom or reading it if your just interested in frogs.

[Deb Aronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a bunch of the Scientist in the Field, several written by one of my favorite authors, Sy Montgomery, but this book was AWESOME!! Never mind the gorgeous photos of frogs, and the amazing and beautiful range of frogs in the world, never mind the engaging text and story telling by Pamela Turner, what I loved most was Tyrone Hayes's story and the fact that in his lab there was such a diversity of people, but so many women and women of color and a woman wearing a headscarf. I feel like this book should be in every classroom where children grow up thinking scientists are all white men wearing white lab coats.

[Maggie Branam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
This book is an educational book about frogs and the story of a Scientist, Tyrone, growing up set out to save the frogs from dying of pesticides. The story focuses on Tyrone's drive to help the frogs and the environmental health.

Evaluation:
This book is valuable to demonstrate one person's ability to work hard at their passion.

Teaching Points:
This book is great to teach about frogs and to show kids careers are available in a variety of passions.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going through this book was so much fun. Even within the first few pages you learn so much about what effects frogs and what scientists are doing to make sure them and their ecosystems are safe! The use of actual pictures from the study brings a whole other element feeling connected to the book. Students not only will learn about the topic but also see the scientific procedures that people go through!

[Kelsie Hutton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. The realistic pictures were neat but I think too much for young readers. I know as a child I would not have liked this book. This book is full of information and beneficial for children to read, but I just think that their could have been a better way to approach to this book.

[Jill Leininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very detailed about frogs. There were many pictures of the different stages of frogs. In the back of the book there was a glossary that showed terminology that helped understand words which a reader may be unfamiliar with.

[Tabitha Lendon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that this book deserved one star because I think it showed to many dissections it made me want to throw up but that is only because I am a person who cannot handle things like that

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! I now understand why amphibians are under so much stress.