Back from the Brink: Saving Animals from Extinction

by Nancy F. Castaldo

The acclaimed author of Sniffer Dogs details the successful efforts of scientists to bring threatened animals back from the brink of extinction, perfect for animal lovers and reluctant nonfiction readers. With full-color photography.

How could capturing the last wild California condors help save them? Why are some states planning to cull populations of the gray wolf, despite this species only recently making it off the endangered list? How did a decision made during the Civil War to use alligator skin for cheap boots nearly drive the animal to extinction?

Back from the Brink answers these questions and more as it delves into the threats to seven species, and the scientific and political efforts to coax them back from the brink of extinction. This rich, informational look at the problem of extinction has a hopeful tone: all of these animals' numbers are now on the rise.

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

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 2018

About the author

Nancy Castaldo is an award winning author of children's books, a certified National Geographic educator, and photographer.

She loves writing books for curious readers that get them thinking about the world around them.

Reviews

[Liz B]

I suspect that this will work perfectly as an easier read for the literary nonfiction unit of study.

Short, super-interesting chapters about how conservation efforts have been successful in bringing back endangered animals. It strikes a perfect balance between hope and caution, and has a section at the end about what kids can do to help and get involved. I learned a lot!

[Brenda Kahn]

Supremely readable accounts of the conservation efforts to bring seven animals back from the brink of extinction. Peppered with full-color photos and plenty of backmatter.

[Amber]

One of the most important books of our time

I would recommend this book to everyone. People of all ages can read this book, learn a lot in a short period of time, and be given the all-important resources to take action. I think it's the perfect resource for regular people to become activists, conservationists, informed world changers.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Cross-posted from Kiss the Book reviewer's personal Goodreads account

Castaldo, Nancy F. Back From the Brink : Saving Animals from Extinction 168 pages. NON FICTION Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018 $18

MS - ESSENTIAL

Many species of animals are on the brink of extinction. This book describes the efforts of conservationists and scientists to help these animals maintain or improve their populations. Some of the methods are controversial like capturing all the wild condors for a breeding program, or ridding Galápagos Islands of invasive goats, but all the animals in this book are on a hopeful road to recovery including Whooping Cranes, Wolves, Bald Eagles, Giant Tortoises, California Condors, and the American Bison and Alligators.

Well documented - the author has been to all these places and seen first hand the efforts. Captioned photos accompany a very accessible text. The Learn More appendix is great: things to watch and read, organizations to check out, and where to see these species. Also includes a glossary and extensive bibliography and index. Your budding conservationists will love this.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Lisa]

Many species of animals are on the brink of extinction. This book describes the efforts of conservationists and scientists to help these animals maintain or improve their populations. Some of the methods are controversial like capturing all the wild condors for a breeding program, or ridding Galápagos Islands of invasive goats, but all the animals in this book are on a hopeful road to recovery including Whooping Cranes, Wolves, Bald Eagles, Giant Tortoises, California Condors, and the American Bison and Alligators.

Well documented - the author has been to all these places and seen first hand the efforts. Captioned photos accompany a very accessible text. The Learn More appendix is great: things to watch and read, organizations to check out, and where to see these species. Also includes a glossary and extensive bibliography and index. Your budding conservationists will love this.


Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Kyra Nay]

Complemented by photographs from her own travels, Castaldo profiles conservation efforts for 7 endangered species with recovering populations, all North American native species except the Galapagos tortoise. She provides fair explanations for why these animals are in danger, details of restoration efforts, and outlines the competing interests between scientists, animal activists, hunters, farmers, governments, and others. Backmatter includes actionable steps children and their families can take to help wildlife populations. The book has a unique squared trim size and an attractive cover, but some of the interior graphic design/layout/photos choices struck me as amateurish. For example, the background color changes frequently, for no apparent reason. Overall, a solid effort. 3.5 stars.

[Bethe]

Well written non fiction for children. Wish each chapter has its own color scheme, not every page turn, found that and the sidebar sections in the middle of a text chapter distracting. Maybe that’s because I read so few nonfiction chapter books. Great photos. I love everything wolf.

[Heather Montgomery]

I love a book that shares some of the positive work being done in conservation! This middle grade book combines narrative and expository passages to share great stories with all kinds of readers.

[Sherry]

Back from the Brink tells the story of seven species (whooping cranes, grey wolves, bald eagles, Galapagos tortoises, California condors, American alligators, and American bison) that came “back from the brink” of extinction through the eyes of author Nancy Castaldo. How did these animals end up threatened and how have they recovered? Castaldo offers insight into these questions as well as how we can help these and other species.

I was attracted to this book by the vivid photographs, many of which were taken by the author on her travels researching the book. I enjoyed Castaldo’s narrative of how she traveled to view the covered species and her interactions with the scientists who are working to save them. She did a good job of explaining why some species are facing extinction and why it’s important to preserve even species that are not cute and cuddly. I did think that she presented a pretty non-nuanced view of President Nixon, who signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and occasionally simplified coverage in a way that made a complex topic not particularly understandable. For example, I am a lawyer who has taken an environmental law class, and I did not really understand her brief comparison of the ESA, Canada’s Species at Risk Act, and the Red List on page 4 in the introduction. Either a more detailed comparison or omission of this sidebar would have been preferable. On the whole, though, this book was an interesting read and has a number of helpful resources.

Back from the Brink presents information on threatened species in a clear and easy-to-understand narrative form and includes information that is current (mentioning actions taken by the current administration) and coherent. Readers are encouraged to consider how animals become threatened or extinct and what steps they can take as individuals or through group action to remedy the problem. While author Castaldo does include her personal experiences while researching the text, the factual basis for the information included is well-documented and supported by an extensive list of opportunities to learn more and bibliography, notes on sources, and a useful glossary. The illustrations are photographs that support the text and are well-captioned. Middle grades readers will find this a solid introduction to the issue of animal preservation.

[Valerie McEnroe]

Adult rating: 4 stars
Kid rating: 3 stars

A short, interesting, and highly informative book about seven species that were near the brink of extinction, but have been saved through wildlife recovery programs. The animals studied are the whooping crane, wolf, bald eagle, Galapagos tortoise, California Condor, alligator and bison. It's hard to believe that a species like the whooping crane once dwindled to as few as 16 left in the world, but through captive breeding programs, legislation to outlaw hunting, and restoration of their habitat, these birds and other endangered animals have come off the endangered list.

The author includes information about why these animals nearly went extinct in the first place, the heartbreaking decision to take one of only a few surviving members out of the wild, not knowing if the recovery program will work, and the challenges from farmers, hunters, developers, and animal rights groups.

Lots of photos, readable writing style, and side notes make this a must for every young person who has an interest in wildlife conservation. It would do well in a career display, because conservationist careers aren't highlighted nearly enough.

[Anne]

Tells of 7 different animals that have been saved from the brink of extinction. Full color photographs add a lot to this quick but engaging read. It's hard to read about the things that we as humans do that still endanger these wild and beautiful animals (even the ugly condors) but that scientists have been able to save them, and that laws have been passed to protect them. Although I was alarmed to read that some of these laws are being overturned by 45's administration... grrrr. Each animal is so important to the whole cycle in nature; we can't afford to lose any of the pieces. Well researched - the author went to each place and visited each animal she writes about. Also includes sections for exploring and for learning more about each animal discussed.

[Theresa]

A report on how endangered animals have been brought back from extinction, why each species are important to our environment and what you can do to help. Informative sections on Whooping Cranes, Wolves, Bald Eagles, Galapagos Tortoises, California Condors, American Alligators and American Bison. Full color photos.

Footnote: I recently read an article about how salamanders in the Appalachian Mountains differ in species from one side of a mountain to another due to the isolation of the different family groups. Seems like the different species of tortoise maybe similar to this and that a study of one may be helpful to the other.

[Kyah]

Great informational book centered around seven endangered species, a majority of which reside naturally in the United States. Some of this information I knew about and others were new to me in terms of discussing conservation efforts to support these species. I am working to build nonfiction reading materials in my classroom, and this will be added to the shelf as a challenge for my students. This book shas accessible information, but even as an adult I wished they had included more photos referencing the discussed topics.

[Willow]

As an adult reader, I found this book to be educational and enjoyable. The writing is highly engaging, and the photographs are beautiful. I wish there were more photographs and some maps (or even just one map) showing where all the different animals live. My 5 year old daughter was excited to see the pictures of the Condors and asked me to read her that chapter. She was not bored at all, and learned a lot as well.

[Robin]

In this book Nancy Castaldo tells us the story of 7 endangered species and their road to recovery. She chooses not just the ones we immediately think of but ones we have mixed feelings about like the wolf of the surprise, the alligator. The information is in both narrative but highlighted boxes. The ending has suggestions that we all can do to protect our wildlife. A great conversation starter.

[Lynn]

Hopeful stories of conservation efforts to bring seven species back from the edge of extinction. Excellent science writing with solid information well presented in an engaging way and loaded with photographs. Outstanding back matter!

[Colleen]

Yay! A new book on endangered species. Points out historical strides made for environmental protections and profiles various species that have been both on and off of the endangered species list. Extensive resources and ideas for action.

[Nora]

Reading up on middle grade nonfiction about animals and nature, and this was a well-researched one on a topic that I'm passionate about. I liked the Take Action section at the back, and all the photos, and the fact that the author visited these places in person.

[Janet Slingerland]

This is a great book for anyone who cares about animals. It gives a great view of how scientists and governments work together to save animal species from extinction.

[Sharie]

needs a lot more pix to go with some of the text that I couldn't picture

[Holly Esterline]

packed with information, and the back matter is extensive

[Emily Dell]

Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Grade Level: Middle Grades

While I did enjoy reading this book, it also made it very clear to me the impact we can have on animals and the world around us. The fact that choices that people during the Civil War have almost driven alligators to extinction surprised me especially.

[Mercedes]

Wonderful read! Short, easy to read and engaging. It’s a step into a world sometimes forgotten or buried under the city’s wild life.

[Charlie Z]

It's a lot more interesting than the last book from this author that I read, I'm going to rate this a 4 star for being more interesting.

[Melissa]

Great nonfiction about wildlife conservation. Interesting and engaging.

[CCPL Buzz]

K.N.