Bones Rock!: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Paleontologist

by Peter Larson, Kristin Donnan

Revealing true stories about kids who have made paleo-discoveries and providing young readers with the tools necessary to make the next big discovery, this book shows kids how to collect, clean, and study fossil samples in order to develop and further their own research interests. Examples from the fossil record and the laboratory help to answer questions raised by bones and by movies about dinosaurs, such as Could a Velociraptor really open a door? Covering actual field and lab techniques, methods for developing scientific theories, information about summer dig programs, ways to incorporate fossils into classwork at school, and plans for a future in science, this book provides aspiring scientists with applicable and educational research tools. From figuring out whether a sample is an authentic dinosaur specimen to reading about discoveries made by other young paleontologists, kids learn how to become active contributors to the field of dino-study. Entertaining and realistic, this book includes cautions about safety, mentorship, and permission.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

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Reviews

[Sara Carmona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! It is written so it is kid friendly, and even has some humor! Great for kids who are interested in fossils.

[Michele Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books for kids on the subject of paleontology serve up pretty much the same predictable soup full of dinosaur bones, fossils, and geological (yawn) history. Even the proposed activities can all start to sound the same, and, except for some cool illustrations every now and then, offer little in terms of anything new and exciting.

Not so for BONES ROCK! by Peter Larson and Kristin Donnan. From page one I was entranced by the easy-going narrative style of Peter Larson, a premiere paleontologist and dynamic storyteller. Readers tag along as Larson goes on his digs and excavates fossils (including two T-Rex!). Larson simply yet comprehensively explains how fossils progress (digress??) from living, breathing dinosaurs to posing in museums surrounded by schoolchildren. In addition to having great stories, BONES ROCK! is chock full of color photographs, fascinating sidebars, sample projects, a glossary, and resources such as kids' clubs, organizations, and where kids can go for summer digs. (The only thing that could have made it better would have been an index.)

Before I read this book, I had no idea that I was a latent paleontologist, but now I'm considering a summer dig, or at least a trip into fossil territory to try my luck and train my not-so-eagle-eye. Who knew? Every kid remotely interested in science or dinosaurs needs to read this book. Larson's right -- bones DO rock! (For ages 8-99; Invisible Cities Press, 2004.)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most excellent book for any young person interested in becoming a paleontologist. It discussed the giftings and traits of persons inclined to Paleontology, what being a paleontologist is like, some paleontologic findings, and what someone someone must do to become an paleontologist.