The Search for Sasquatch

by Laura Krantz

Inspired by her popular Wild Thing podcast, journalist Laura Krantz incorporates the scientific method and her journalistic skills to determine if Bigfoot is real.

When journalist Laura Krantz discovered that her long-lost cousin, Grover Krantz, a distinguished anthropologist and professor at Washington State University, had devoted much of his career to the search for Bigfoot, she couldn’t quite believe it. A natural skeptic and a strong believer in facts, Krantz decided to conduct her own quest for the most famous and elusive mythical creature.

The Search for Sasquatch takes readers through the big guy’s fun, fascinating, and complex world, posing the Could Bigfoot be out there? Exploring the gray area between myth and science, Krantz takes readers on a strange, surreal, and surprising hunt for the fabled Sasquatch—showing us how to challenge our gut assumptions and open our minds to new possibilities, to think critically, and to use the scientific method along the way. The Search for Sasquatch asks readers to evaluate the evidence it presents and make up their own minds, all while considering why Bigfoot might be important—even if we don’t find him.
Includes Color Illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Science

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2022

About the author

Laura Krantz is a journalist, editor and producer, in both radio and print. Her podcast, Wild Thing, has received critical acclaim from Scientific American, Rolling Stone, and The Atlantic, and is now a series of non-fiction middle-grade books. Aside from Wild Thing, Laura edits, consults and produces on several other podcasts. Formerly, she edited and produced at NPR in Washington, DC, for multiple shows including Morning Edition and Weekend Edition; later she served as the lead editor for Take Two at KPCC in Los Angeles. Her writing has appeared in Popular Science, Smithsonian Magazine, Outside, High Country News, Newsweek and, her personal favorite, the Archie McPhee Catalog.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun science book about Sasquatch. Is he real? Will we ever find out?


I just LOVE LOVE cryptids and so when I learned about this book a few months ago I knew I had to have it! And finally Amazon had it both in stock and also not too expensive! Whoo!

In this book we follow journalist Laura Krantz as she goes to find out more about Bigfoot. A quest! Science! Each chapter goes in a bit more in the lore and the science behind Bigfoot. Because is there really one? There are hints that point to yes, but so far the only things that have been found are some prints + some weird things and some people say they saw something. But that is not really enough, is it? And that is why our journalist is curious, how far does one go for proof and what kind of proof would be accepted. She talks how back in the day it was acceptable (hmpf) to kill something to get a a sample, but these days you come far with DNA. Thankfully! She talks to both squatchers and scientists and witnesses who saw something. It was fun to see her dive deeper. And also get why she is so invested in this, apparently a family member she never knew was big on Bigfoot + more. She is even going out on a camping trip/hike to see if she can find something. Or get an experience. Love how she dove not just in the lore but also the science behind it all. And all written in easy accessible text perfect for kids.

Sometimes a bit boring, but that is because I am an adult and already know how various science things work thanks to books + school. I don’t really care about DNA or anthropology unless it dives much deeper in it than how it was done here. Sometimes I was like, I want BIG FOOT! But again, that is a me thing, for kids it will probably be perfect to explain these things.

I would also have liked more spooky Big Foot stories! We do get a couple and I just soaked them up!

Man, I wish I was in the US at times (most of the times no though because F that), camping in the wild, just going hiking and then putting up a tent, just go out in nature and disappear for days. My tiny country.. well you can’t camp in the wild and while there are spots for nature it is not like you will be gone for days. XD Plus, bears? Nope. Bigfoot? Nope. Just some newly released wolves and mostly bunnies, foxes, and other cute stuff.

I also love the message at the end.

All in all, I had fun reading this book and I flew through it. Very interesting to read with fun illustrations. I hope that Laura Krantz makes more books like this!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

After learning that an old family member was both an anthropology professor and collector of Bigfoot evidence, author Krantz dives right into the woods with several sasquatch seekers on a straightforward and scientific mission: Is there something to the Bigfoot phenomenon? From modern research methods to revisiting ancient stories of the elusive species, The Search for Sasquatch is a fantastic guide for young readers curious about cryptids, exploring how part of the fascination and passion for them comes from chasing both the possibilities and the unknown.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at the library for one kid who's getting into Bigfoot, and I thought it was well done. It's one journalist's investigation into stories, evidence, and lore surrounding Sasquatch in the US. While it's not exhaustive, it's a good mix of general information and in-the-moment exploration to add a sense of adventure to the story. The author shares stories and information from Bigfoot hunters, scientists who are gathering and testing evidence, and people in neither of those categories who have had experiences they can't explain. I appreciate that some Indigenous people's stories were included too. The last chapter touches on some of the reasons why belief in Bigfoot has endured, and why so many people really want it to be out there even in the absence of scientific proof.

FYI: There is one paragraph in here (on page 120) that explains/assumes the reader knows the tooth fairy isn't real -- something to be aware of depending on the kid you're reading to/giving this to.

[Anna Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great supplement to the podcast. I really enjoyed it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and will be purchasing as Christmas gifts for my 9-12 year old relatives! Readers use Sasquatch as the medium to learn about the Scientific Method and about what qualifies as evidence verses belief, all while being highly entertaining and engaging. I loved the stories, the illustrations and the exploration of WHY people believe or want to believe in Bigfoot.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you curious about whether Sasquatch exist or not? This is definitely the book for you! I am Mom to 2 Squatchers aka Sasquatch Hunters. This book was chalked full of information on Sasquatch and the hunt for evidence that Sasquatch exists using science. We were kept on the edge of our seat while we waited to learn about the DNA evidence. I highly recommend this book for anyone curious about the existence of Sasquatch.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

This is well done and engaging from the start. It seems older than the age range I saw online of 8-12. I'd say more 10-14, but a precocious 8 year old who loves the topic could be a perfect reader for this. The science focus here is solid, and this includes names of some key figures in the history of the hunt for Bigfoot. Some really fascinating science covered here - kids are going to love this! I hope the rest of the series is as well done as this book.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to scientific inquiry and what constitutes “evidence” to prove a hypothesis with a balanced focus on cryptozoology. Also looks at the myths, stories and legends from all over the world that deal with elusive large creatures that may live in our most remote locations. The only thing missing for me was photographs of the skeleton Grover and his dog, Grover when he was alive, some of the various footprint impressions. Perhaps there was a security reason why no photos were included of the giant nests on which the DNA tests were performed but it would have been nice as well as photos of how other environmental items are collected for further study

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic exploration into the hunt for Bigfoot. I loved how the author included a great explanation of the scientific method. The book's diction was easy to follow, and I liked how the author engaged the reader through the text. I would include this one in my elementary library.

[Lija Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating take on using the search for Bigfoot to teach kids about science! And a fun read for adults to learn about the legend of Bigfoot and the possible evidence discovered that might (someday) prove his existence!

[Jamie Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 3rd grade son, who loves science. We both really enjoyed it. However, at the end of the book, it does mention that the tooth fairy isn’t real, which was a surprise to my son and not exactly how I’d pictured telling him.

[Hillsullivan]

Read this book to see about giving it to a niece. Decided she is still too young, but i have a nephew who might enjoy it. I did enjoy it although I just read a chapter here and there over several months.

[Steve Sabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a gift and is obviously geared towards teenage readers. It was informative for basic dabblers in cryptozoology but unfortunately didn't really reveal anything new or insightful.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF - Ch.2 (curious to look into the podcast)

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome 👍🏻

[Becky Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

More science than science fiction.! A fun read that combines folk lore with the scientific method

[A.wells-mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 3rd grade class. They were enthralled all the way through. It was a great way to discuss how to tell if information is true, or correct.

[George Kanakaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for the beginner on the subject.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to get new people interested in the history and science behind Bigfoot. Has references if readers want to dig deeper. Very readable.

[Joel David Levin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the summer, while my daughter and I were browsing through the children's section of Powell's City of Books, I stumbled across The Search for Sasquatch. My curiosity piqued, I leafed through the pages, recognized it would be age-appropriate for my eight-year-old, and bought the book on a whim. I'm not a cryptozoologist by any means, but I figured that The Search for Sasquatch would be a fun, thematically appropriate book to read while we were visiting family in Oregon. Needless to say, I lucked out.

At the time, I didn't know anything about Laura Krantz or the Wild Thing podcast that she's been producing for a few years now. However, while reading The Search for Sasquatch, I was delighted by the author's conversational tone and the wide variety of scientific topics that she addresses. A kid's book that tackles DNA, evolution, the scientific method, and the taxonomic system in easy-to-understand terms? I was sold.

Krantz starts her book with a brief anecdote about how and why she started her sasquatch journey: it turns out that a long-dead distant relative (second cousin, twice removed?), Grover Krantz, was once the world's foremost scientific expert on Bigfoot. As Laura plunges down the rabbit hole of sasquatch-obsession, she encounters a colorful cast of characters: park rangers sharing eyewitness accounts, skeptical scientists intent on debunking Bigfoot as a hoax, accommodating experts who explain complex scientific issues, and even one of the men who filmed the infamous "Patterson-Gimlin" video in 1967. Along the way, she also learns about "squatching," "blob-squatches," and the "Woo" (if you read the book, it will all make sense). It's a deep dive into a unique, quirky American subculture - and the journey is exquisitely enjoyable.

As an "optimistic skeptic," I was delighted to find that Laura Krantz is (like me) someone who requires scientific proof before wholeheartedly supporting the existence of mythical creatures. However, Krantz never lets her doubts supersede her curiosity; rather, she excitedly hurdles every roadblock and muddy footprint that she finds in her path. Throughout the book, Krantz's earnest enthusiasm is absolutely contagious, and her fanatical fascination emanates from each and every page.

After finishing The Search for Sasquatch, I downloaded all three seasons of Krantz's podcast, Wild Thing, and listened attentively to every single episode. If you haven't tried the podcast yet, you won't regret it: the show is absolutely addicting. Even if my doubts about sasquatch remain, I firmly believe that Laura Krantz is a true treasure.

Does Bigfoot really exist? Probably not.

But Laura Krantz really hopes so. And so do I.