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Scientists in the Field
Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish Are Saving the World's Largest Rainforest – A Scientists in the Field Book on Conservation and River Ecology for Children
Considered the “lungs of the world,” the Amazon provides a full fifth of the world’s oxygen, and every year unsustainable human practices destroy 2.7 million acres. What can be done to help? That’s where Project Piaba comes in.
Join the award-winning author Sy Montgomery and the photographer Keith Ellenbogen as they traverse the river and rainforest to discover how tiny fish, called piabas, can help preserve the Amazon, its animals, and the rich legacy of its people. Amazon Adventure is an eye-opening—and ultimately hopeful—exploration of how humanity’s practices are affecting and shaping not only the Amazon, but our entire environment.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2017
19 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Sy Montgomery
63 books2,061 followersPart Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson, as the Boston Globe describes her, Sy Montgomery is an author, naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and radio commentator who has traveled to some of the worlds most remote wildernesses for her work. She has worked in a pit crawling with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, been hunted by a tiger in India, swum with pink dolphins in the Amazon, and been undressed by an orangutan in Borneo. She is the author of 13 award-winning books, including her national best-selling memoir, The Good Good Pig. Montgomery lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 17, 2019
"Buy a fish, save a tree."
That's the motto of Project Paiba, "a non-profit organization which studies and fosters an environmentally and socially beneficial home-aquarium fish trade." Led by Executive Director Scott Dowd - the "scientist" in this particular "Scientist in the Field" book - this volunteer-staffed group is working with native Brazilians in the Rio Negro region to develop safe and eco-friendly harvesting of tropical fish as a profitable and sustainable alternative to mining, timber harvesting, cattle ranching and other industries which are destroying the Amazon rain forest at a horrendous rate.
This is not just good work, it is absolutely necessary in our current fight against irreversible climate change, and should be supported and shared with everyone. You can learn more at www.projectpaiba.org.
Amazon Adventure is just one title in the excellent "Scientists in the Field" series, which includes a growing number of titles ostensibly written for a younger audience - but I guarantee that any adult reader will also find them fascinating, motivating and eye-opening. Youu can see the full list of "SitF" books at https://www.goodreads.com/series/2481....
October 23, 2017
Sy Montgomery does it again! Here she has written another entry in the award-winning Scientist in the Field series, in which she follows aquarist Scott Dowd and his team into the Rio Negro region of Brazil as they research the ornamental fish industry there. Dowd believes that the dying industry could be revived with proper fish-handling techniques, thereby producing healthier fish that can be sold for top dollar to aquariums and fish enthusiasts around the world. Continuation of the ornamental fish program would provide work for the local people that does not degrade the environment and thereby endanger other animals. As with her other books, Montgomery's writing puts the reader right there with her, wading in shallow water looking for fish. Her description and photos of the city of Barcelos' Ornamental Fish Festival are so breathtaking that it makes you want to hop on a plane and go there to see it for yourself! (But if you can't go, Montgomery provides a link to a YouTube video of the 2014 event at the end of the book.) She debunks the myths surrounding the dangers of some of the Amazon's deadliest creatures: the stingray, anaconda, jao, electric eel, black caiman, piranha, and candiru. She visits a fish laboratory and watches as scientists there conduct necropsies on fish, looking for parasites and diseases. Readers learn about other animals in the jungle, such as the Goliath birdeater tarantula (as big across as your face!) and the various species of ants (over 1,000!). The pink river dolphins that she wrote a whole book about several years ago also make an appearance. She states that a recent survey reveals that there is 1 new species of animal discovered there every 3 days!! It's an amazing environment bursting with life. By the time readers finish with the book they will feel as if they've been to Brazil, met the scientists, and conducted some research themselves. Highly recommended! Keep them coming, Sy!
January 5, 2019
This book is gorgeous and Informative like all “Scientists in the Field” titles. In addition, it is an eloquent plea to responsibly enjoy the hobby of tropical fish in aquariums. By doing so, the livelihoods of many families are preserved, as is the Amazon rainforest itself! The people who collect these many gorgeous species of fish understand it gives them a better livelihood than they could otherwise have, and that keeping the area in good shape benefits them. It also helps combat climate change by keeping the rainforest in good shape. Highly Recommended!
June 5, 2018
The author and photograph set off on a trip to the Amazon in this book to document the efforts of a group of scientists to help save the Amazon rain forest. Project Piaba focuses on the collection of a variety of tiny fish found in the Rio Negro, one of the Amazon's tributaries. The local people collect the fish, that would normally die during the dry season, and sell them to the aquarium market. But fish farming and conservation efforts are threatening this environmentally sustaining lifestyle which might force more people into destroying the forest in order to support themselves and their families. The scientists are there to check the health of the ecosystem and to come up with ways to help the native piebeiros (those who hunt the tiny fish). While the scientists (and the author and photographer) are there they experience the local celebration revolving around these fish. The result is a fascinating account of science in action and the importance of involving native peoples in saving ecosystems. Cultural traditions also shine through in story in beautiful photographs and an account of a local tradition that revolves around the Amazon ecosystem. Books in the Scientists in the Field series are important in helping young readers understand how people are making a difference in the world.
October 3, 2017
This is a unique take on why you should protect a species. This title would work in social studies classrooms also that study the people and cultures of S. America.
August 7, 2021
2021 bk 250. Amazon Adventure fell into my hands and I was again wowed at how Sy Montgomery can take a science topic and 'bring it into the living room'. In this book, she goes on an expedition to the Amazon River Basin with Aquarium scientists, veterinarians, and economists to learn how to build and heal the aquarium fishing industry around the Rio Negro/Amazon River. The focus is on the beautiful, small fish that are captured in small nets, saved in buckets, plastic tanks and tubes, and transported down the river and sold to pet stores and aquariums around the world. The expedition shows us scientists and veterinarians training local professionals new methods to check the health of the river and the fish, the varieties of fishing techniques and the lives of the people dependent on this industry as opposed to working in lumber or ranching which destroy the forest. She includes a wonderful section on a local fiesta, The Fiesta of the Ornamental Fish with amazing costumes. A wonderful book to read on a rainy Saturday morning!
March 28, 2019
Love this series!
December 12, 2017
Author Sy Montgomery and photographer Keith Ellenbogen join a group traveling up the Amazon led by aquarist Scott Dowd to learn about how the pet fish industry is actually helping the Amazon ecosystem and economy. Meet the people who catch the little tetras native to the Amazon and the village that even holds a festival in their honor every year.
I think everyone's knee jerk reaction to hearing about someone trapping fish and taking them away from their native environment to be pets is to fight against it. Scott Dowd actually says that was his first reaction too. But the science is showing that catching the fish is actually good for the fish and their environment, and the ability of the people to make a living catching these tiny fish is preventing them from turning to other occupations that would destroy the rainforest. So believe it or not, catching and selling these little fish lets them live longer and is saving the rainforest and the other creatures that live there. It really is an amazing story of an unusual ecological solution, and I'm glad Montgomery was able to create this book to get the word out. Ellenbogen's photos really help you get a better sense for what the Amazon is like since they didn't photoshop them and many have a dusty rosy tint. Montgomery's account of his one photo shoot made me shiver. Ellenbogen is a gutsy guy. I don't think I could what he did. Overall, a fantastic book that helps you really get to know a real village of people on the Amazon and understand a unique economic/ecological solution. It should make many readers want to go to their local pet shop and see if they can buy some of the fish these people have caught and support this effort (the fish have GI "geographical indication" status - look for Río Negro tetras).
Notes on content: No language issues. Some of the outfits in the fish festival are basically bikinis with added decor. A documented case of a man who had a parasite swim up his urinary tract is mentioned, not shown. There's a fish autopsy photographed. The book addresses some common Amazon creature fears and a death or two are mentioned.
I think everyone's knee jerk reaction to hearing about someone trapping fish and taking them away from their native environment to be pets is to fight against it. Scott Dowd actually says that was his first reaction too. But the science is showing that catching the fish is actually good for the fish and their environment, and the ability of the people to make a living catching these tiny fish is preventing them from turning to other occupations that would destroy the rainforest. So believe it or not, catching and selling these little fish lets them live longer and is saving the rainforest and the other creatures that live there. It really is an amazing story of an unusual ecological solution, and I'm glad Montgomery was able to create this book to get the word out. Ellenbogen's photos really help you get a better sense for what the Amazon is like since they didn't photoshop them and many have a dusty rosy tint. Montgomery's account of his one photo shoot made me shiver. Ellenbogen is a gutsy guy. I don't think I could what he did. Overall, a fantastic book that helps you really get to know a real village of people on the Amazon and understand a unique economic/ecological solution. It should make many readers want to go to their local pet shop and see if they can buy some of the fish these people have caught and support this effort (the fish have GI "geographical indication" status - look for Río Negro tetras).
Notes on content: No language issues. Some of the outfits in the fish festival are basically bikinis with added decor. A documented case of a man who had a parasite swim up his urinary tract is mentioned, not shown. There's a fish autopsy photographed. The book addresses some common Amazon creature fears and a death or two are mentioned.
November 25, 2018
This book is about experts traveling to the Rio Negro to see how tiny fish are saving the rainforest. They are doing so by being caught by a team of fish experts and sold. These tiny fish are being sold around the world, allowing the community to profit and thrive. They are so grateful for these fish, they hold festivals. In this book, the reader gets to see pictures from the actual festival. This non-fiction book tells about the adventures that the travel experts got to experience and takes the reader along for the ride.
I gave this book one star for several reasons. It was incredibly boring. I love non-fiction books and learning new things, but this book seemed like a far fetch idea in the first place. There are too many words per page and there are over 60 pages in the book. It took everything I had to finish it. The idea behind it is even boring. Basically, these tiny fish make a good profit for the community; we don't need 60-something pages and chapters to get us to that point!
I would not recommend this book to anyone and would not use it in my classroom. I wouldnt mind it being in my classroom library for students to look through during reading time. If I had to use this book in my classroom, I would use it to teach summarizing. We would summarize each chapter in our reading journals as a whole group after reading.
I gave this book one star for several reasons. It was incredibly boring. I love non-fiction books and learning new things, but this book seemed like a far fetch idea in the first place. There are too many words per page and there are over 60 pages in the book. It took everything I had to finish it. The idea behind it is even boring. Basically, these tiny fish make a good profit for the community; we don't need 60-something pages and chapters to get us to that point!
I would not recommend this book to anyone and would not use it in my classroom. I wouldnt mind it being in my classroom library for students to look through during reading time. If I had to use this book in my classroom, I would use it to teach summarizing. We would summarize each chapter in our reading journals as a whole group after reading.
October 31, 2017
Summary: This story is about how people travel up the Rio Negro in order to see tiny fish in their native habitat. During this time, many items are collected such as discus, cardinal tetras, and more for the sale to aquarists. The book discusses the importance of defending the river, and how the Piabeiros also protect more than a thousand other species, which is why they are so important to our world.
Evaluation: i gave this book a rating of 4. Although the book is very full of information, and also contains very detailed pictures, along with an index, selected bibliography, web resources, acknowledgements, it definitely requires a well engaged reader, and further more one that may be interested specifically in fish and other amphibians.
Teaching Point: I think this book would be a great resource to use while teaching about food chains. Although this book does not specifically have any details about which things eat which, it does give important information about how the small fish are saving the world’s largest rainforest. I think reading this book and using a food chain, or food web diagram and letting students fill it in while engaging in a read aloud would be a very effective way of learning and engaging readers.
Evaluation: i gave this book a rating of 4. Although the book is very full of information, and also contains very detailed pictures, along with an index, selected bibliography, web resources, acknowledgements, it definitely requires a well engaged reader, and further more one that may be interested specifically in fish and other amphibians.
Teaching Point: I think this book would be a great resource to use while teaching about food chains. Although this book does not specifically have any details about which things eat which, it does give important information about how the small fish are saving the world’s largest rainforest. I think reading this book and using a food chain, or food web diagram and letting students fill it in while engaging in a read aloud would be a very effective way of learning and engaging readers.
December 17, 2018
We thought this book would be about fish doing some awesome thing to alter their environment for the better.
It really has nothing to do with the actual fish, but the economy around the fish that come from the amazon river. The way they are caught has no impact on the ecosystem and allows many people to support their families.
They are also caught humanly and not over fished like some other places on earth.
This is basically about a project to continue to protect the rain forests by buying these fish that are now covered by a GI because the people who are catching them have jobs that don't effect the environment such as logging, mining, and cattle farming which call for cutting down trees and emitting pollutants into the air and waterways.
We found it pretty interesting, a large portion of the book was spent on telling about their local festival to celebrate the fishing industry there, and there was a contest and we didn't even get to find out who won! ;)
My daughter is obsessed with fish and science and this book was a little slow for her. She has read several of Sy's other books and has really enjoyed them. This isn't just about one animal though it is more of a thoughtful explanation of how we need to be thinking how simple actions can create large changes.
It really has nothing to do with the actual fish, but the economy around the fish that come from the amazon river. The way they are caught has no impact on the ecosystem and allows many people to support their families.
They are also caught humanly and not over fished like some other places on earth.
This is basically about a project to continue to protect the rain forests by buying these fish that are now covered by a GI because the people who are catching them have jobs that don't effect the environment such as logging, mining, and cattle farming which call for cutting down trees and emitting pollutants into the air and waterways.
We found it pretty interesting, a large portion of the book was spent on telling about their local festival to celebrate the fishing industry there, and there was a contest and we didn't even get to find out who won! ;)
My daughter is obsessed with fish and science and this book was a little slow for her. She has read several of Sy's other books and has really enjoyed them. This isn't just about one animal though it is more of a thoughtful explanation of how we need to be thinking how simple actions can create large changes.
May 22, 2017
This book is over an interesting topic. There are plenty of colorful photos that add to the story. The sidebars/additional information sections were well placed and did not interrupt the flow of the story. At the end of the book there was an index, selected bibliography, and web resources. A nice feature about the web resources was that they even gave a brief description of what information could be found at each site. It seemed for each topic I thought about looking up more info, there was a resource listed.
I felt a little misled by the title since while they did mention the role of the tiny fish in saving the rain forest, it actually read more like someone's account of their trip to the Amazon. The different people involved in this project were mentioned as well as how they came to be involved in this project. There also was a chapter about the local festival of the fish. However, I felt like the format did set the stage for how important this fish was to the area. and the final chapter wrapped it up nicely by making a personal connection to a family whose livelihood depends on these fish.
I felt a little misled by the title since while they did mention the role of the tiny fish in saving the rain forest, it actually read more like someone's account of their trip to the Amazon. The different people involved in this project were mentioned as well as how they came to be involved in this project. There also was a chapter about the local festival of the fish. However, I felt like the format did set the stage for how important this fish was to the area. and the final chapter wrapped it up nicely by making a personal connection to a family whose livelihood depends on these fish.
November 16, 2017
Montgomery, Sy Amazon Adventure: How Tiny Fish are Saving the World’s Largest Rainforest, pictures by Keith Ellenbogen. 66 pages. NON-FICTION. Houghton Mifflin, 2017 $19.
The largest rainforest in the world may be saved by the tiniest fish- the kind you pay premium bucks to add to your aquarium. Despite the machinations of well-intentioned but ill-informed conservationists, the natives of the area are sustainable fishing the tiny aquatic jewels and they could be the secret to shifting the economy of the area from chopping down trees to an entirely different product.
Sy Montgomery must lead a charmed life. She has pursued science stories all over the world. This time she has taken to the Amazon for a very timely story about good intentions of conservation efforts needing to take a minute and learn from those who live the life. As always, excellent scholarship and beautiful photographs blend together to form an excellent new look at current scientific research.
EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
The largest rainforest in the world may be saved by the tiniest fish- the kind you pay premium bucks to add to your aquarium. Despite the machinations of well-intentioned but ill-informed conservationists, the natives of the area are sustainable fishing the tiny aquatic jewels and they could be the secret to shifting the economy of the area from chopping down trees to an entirely different product.
Sy Montgomery must lead a charmed life. She has pursued science stories all over the world. This time she has taken to the Amazon for a very timely story about good intentions of conservation efforts needing to take a minute and learn from those who live the life. As always, excellent scholarship and beautiful photographs blend together to form an excellent new look at current scientific research.
EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
September 20, 2017
Amazon Adventure takes a look at the people and communities whose work as piabeiros influences their culture and the health and protection of the Amazon river and surrounding rain forest. These small-scale fishermen and women collect aquarium species fish from the wild to sell them to fish hobbyists/aquariums around the world. While in other areas this kind of collection might be seen as irresponsible, the piabeiros actually practice fishing methods that preserve the fish – catching them during the dry season when many would die off naturally, and giving them a chance at a longer life (though, far from their homes). Educational and interesting, this raises lots of questions and introduces readers to environmental issues that will be relevant beyond the Amazon. Budding aquarists will be intrigued to discover where some of these wild species originate and how they are captured and transported. Recommended.
January 18, 2018
Another great book in the Scientists in the Field series! Author Sy Montgomery always invests herself wholeheartedly in her topic and the quest to learn about it. She always portrays each creature with respect and honor. Her writing is typically hopeful about the future, though she does not shy away from presenting the dangers of the specific location and possible difficulties facing the animal being studied. I always enjoy the travelogue aspect of the books in this series, and this was no exception. The photography of their work in the Amazon river basin is great! This book contains lots of in-depth scientific information, and would be great for STEAM learning for later elementary ages on up. I would give this book a 3.5, as I found myself wishing the writing had been a little more concise.
April 30, 2018
This is another great addition to the Scientist in the Field series - and another particularly good one by Sy Montgomery.
So, we can help save the amazon by purchasing pet fish from the Amazon river and it's tributaries - which is pretty much completely the opposite of what you might think - that farmed or captive raised fish would be better for the environment. This book looks at the people who humanely collect the small ornamental fish that many people keep as pets (many of which would die in less than a year when the Amazon river goes through it's low period) and how the pet fish trade keeps the Amazon healthy and provides good jobs and good working conditions for those who live near the river in Brasil.
Highly recommend for middle and upper elementary school students who are interested in pet fish, saving the environment, or the dangers and magic of the Amazon river.
So, we can help save the amazon by purchasing pet fish from the Amazon river and it's tributaries - which is pretty much completely the opposite of what you might think - that farmed or captive raised fish would be better for the environment. This book looks at the people who humanely collect the small ornamental fish that many people keep as pets (many of which would die in less than a year when the Amazon river goes through it's low period) and how the pet fish trade keeps the Amazon healthy and provides good jobs and good working conditions for those who live near the river in Brasil.
Highly recommend for middle and upper elementary school students who are interested in pet fish, saving the environment, or the dangers and magic of the Amazon river.
November 28, 2017
Summary: Sy Montgomery and Keith Ellenbogen travel the Amazon rainforest to discover piabas, tiny fish that can help preserve the Amazon, its animals, and the legacy of its people. This book is hopeful for practices that could potentially shape the Amazon.
Evaluation: I rated this book a 4. This books includes a great amount of information, detailed pictures, and credited resources. However, this book would require a reader that would engaged in the reading because they are especially interested in fish/other amphibians.
Teaching Idea: This book would be great to introduce the rainforest and its habitat. This could in turn lead to the learning of other habitats. After this, the students could compare/contrast different habitats.
Evaluation: I rated this book a 4. This books includes a great amount of information, detailed pictures, and credited resources. However, this book would require a reader that would engaged in the reading because they are especially interested in fish/other amphibians.
Teaching Idea: This book would be great to introduce the rainforest and its habitat. This could in turn lead to the learning of other habitats. After this, the students could compare/contrast different habitats.
April 21, 2018
Another great addition to the Scientists in the Field series.
Native fisherfolk called piabeiros sell tropical fish on the international market. They understand that to do this, they need to care for their environment and restrict logging, farming, and mining.
Concerned scientists are helping them to keep their fish healthy and unstressed as they travel to their destinations, and compete with captive fish breeders who threaten the piabeiros’ livelihood.
Native fisherfolk called piabeiros sell tropical fish on the international market. They understand that to do this, they need to care for their environment and restrict logging, farming, and mining.
Concerned scientists are helping them to keep their fish healthy and unstressed as they travel to their destinations, and compete with captive fish breeders who threaten the piabeiros’ livelihood.
November 2, 2018
This is a really well-researched and well-written book about something I knew absolutely nothing about. The work that the scientists and the piabeiros do--swimming in the rather treacherous waters of the Amazon to research tiny fish that end up in aquariums--is fascinating. I have been to the New England Aquarium twice, and next time I go back I really want to take the time to check out their Amazon display and see some of these fish in person!
January 30, 2018
This book was a great teaching tool to tie science and geography together for my seventh graders. Even as an adult, I learned so many things about the complex and interwoven environment of the Amazon and Rio Negro Rivers. Everyone should read this book and enjoy it. I recommend all science and history teachers keep it in their classroom.
August 10, 2017
Outstanding children's nonfiction about Brazilian communities on the Rio Negro that catch small tropical fish to sell to the pet trade. The people take excellent care of their environment to nurture their fish colonies. Dark, muddy color photos.
November 27, 2017
Another fabulous book from the stellar Scientists in the Field series. I have found this series to be invaluable in connecting kids with both current topics in science and the work of the scientists who study our world.
April 5, 2018
This looks like a picture book, but is chock full of interesting information about how exotic fish sales are encouraging ecology in the rainforest. A quick and interesting book that I definitely suggest.
February 7, 2019
Informational. Lots of information about the ecosystem of the Amazon river in addition to an overview of cultural practices in the area. Amazing photographs accompany the text, some of which totally freaked me out but I could see being fascinating to animal lovers.
August 16, 2017
Very interesting! Having never heard of this fish, I was intrigued by this story (part of the Scientists in the Field collection) and hope that kids will find this both educational and inspiring.
October 1, 2017
No one can capture the essence of a place, or the spirit of animals, as well as Sy Montgomery. Another amazing read from this author.
February 26, 2018
Clear, concise of the challenges facing the fishermen (and women) of the tiny neon tetras that originate in the Amazon rainforest. Excellent for upper elementary fish enthusisasts.
June 10, 2018
A look at the tiny fish in the Amazon. Makes me wonder where the fish in my aquarium come from.
December 19, 2018
I wasnt a fan of this book. My mom and sister were reading it and i listened along.
February 11, 2019
Quite interesting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews