Condor Comeback

Winner of the Green Earth Book Award

Sibert Medalist, National Book Award Honoree, and New York Times bestselling author Sy Montgomery turns her formidable talents to the story of California condors and the scientists who have fought against their extinction in this installment in the award-winning Scientists in the Field series.

In April of 1987 the last wild California condor was captured and taken to live in captivity like the other twenty-six remaining birds of its kind. Many thought that the days were over of of this remarkable, distinguished bird that had roamed the skies of North and Central American for thousands of years.

Sy Montgomery employs her skill for on-the-ground reporting, shrewd observation, and stunning narrative prose to detail the efforts of scientists, volunteers, and everyday citizens to get California condors back in the wild. In particular, Montgomery profiles employees at the Santa Barbara Zoo who have worked tirelessly to raise abandoned chicks, nurse sick birds back to health, and conduct research that can support legislation to ban what is probably the largest threat to the existence of the wild condor: lead bullets. In turns affectionate and frustrated, hopeful and heartbreaking, Montgomery's powerful prose does justice to these ancient, sociable, and elegant creatures.

Complete with world-class, full-color photography and helpful sidebars that provide details such as the history of the bird's fight back from extinction, the dangers of lead poisoning, and the relationship of condors to the Chumash nation, Condor Comeback is an inspiring story of groundbreaking science, perseverance, and cooperation.

Author: Sy Montgomery
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 07/28/2020
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.00h x 11.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780544816534

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.9
Point Value: 4
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 509722 / Condor Comeback


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 05/15/2020
Publishers Weekly 05/18/2020
School Library Journal 06/01/2020 pg. 85
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2020 - Book Of Special Distinction
Shelf Awareness 07/28/2020
Booklist 08/01/2020 pg. 52
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2020 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
In addition to researching films, articles, and over twenty books, National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery has been honored with a Sibert Medal, three honorary degrees, and many other awards. She lives in Hancock, New Hampshire, with her husband, Howard Mansfield, and their border collie, Thurber. Visit her at www.symontgomery.com and on Twitter @SyTheAuthor.

Originally trained as an oil painter, Tianne Strombeck's photography has appeared in numerous books, including Sy Montgomery's Soul of an Octopus. Tianne lives in Garland, Texas.