Black Caiman

From the Series Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest
Format Price Qty
$19.95

As darkness falls over the Amazon rain forest, a large black caiman waits in a slow moving, muddy river. Only the reptile’s eyes and nostrils are visible above the water. The caiman is watching a young deer that has come to the river to drink. As the deer dips its head toward the water, the caiman attacks. In just a few seconds, the large predator has dragged the deer under the water.

Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance to learn about the lives of apex predators. The book will also help readers develop their powers of observation and challenge them with activities and critical-thinking questions about the caiman’s physical characteristics, its everyday life, and its hunting abilities.

Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 2
Copyright 2017
BISACS JNF003000
Genre Nonfiction
Publisher Bearport Publishing
Imprint Bearport Books
Series Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest
Language English
Number of Pages 24
Lexile 580
ISBN 9781684020324
Title Format Reinforced book
Release Date 2016-12-21
Author Ellen Lawrence
Features Glossary of key words, Index, Sources for further research
Dewey 597.98'4
Dimensions 10 x 8
Guided Reading Level M
ATOS Reading Level 4.4
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 188141
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
 

NSTA Recommends Black Caiman

Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest: Black Caiman stands out among books about predators because of its engaging formatting and its questioning strategies that propel the reader forward through the texts. In addition, it has clear, crisp photographs that are closely paired to the text to give young readers a good introduction to this predator. The vocabulary is limited enough for the target audience, but has some adaptation specific vocabulary to enrich the reader’s knowledge. The text features are well formatted for young readers. I would use this text to allow students to gather information about animal adaptation and sensory processing. I think that it provides good information to support students’ understanding of core ideas in animal behavior. It would also support using text features for research and synthesis of information. Because this text is part of a series of similar texts, it would be a great classroom addition for shared research.

School Library Journal Review for Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest

Each featured beast fills an apex predator role in the rain forest ecosystem. Content focuses on predation in the first half, including the subject’s diet and hunting methods, with photos that show some of the action of the hunt. Life cycles and habitats are also introduced. Writing is clear and direct, avoiding generalization. Readers learn, for example, that a bull shark is an apex predator in the Amazon, but not in the ocean. . . . Captioned photographs highlight key physical features, while occasional close-ups and insets also support factual details effectively. Other features include a range map, a “science lab” activity, and question boxes that actually promote critical thinking, rather than repetition of facts from within the text. VERDICT: Well-rounded species profiles suitable for reports.

Author: Ellen Lawrence

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