• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 April #2
  Most can't imagine spending more than a few days, let alone more than 50 years, in a jungle with heat, insects, leeches, and wild animals. Yet, that's exactly what Biruté Mary Galdikas has done. Following her childhood fascination with insects and animals, she decided in college to study orangutans in their natural habitat. But how could she afford to do so? Gaining funding and the support of Louis Leakey, she and her first husband settled in Borneo, living in conditions that would daunt others. After he and their young son returned to Canada, Galdikas remained. Through the decades since, her observations and research have led to heightened awareness and support for these extremely endangered animals. She, her current husband, and their children have invested their lives in conservation and rehabilitation efforts. In telling her remarkable journey, Silvey doesn't gloss over their hardships as she explores the critical determination of Galdikas to study and protect orangutans. Beautiful photographs, inviting format, notes, and an index make this a great addition for any animal collection. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

As the author of 100 Best Books for Children, 500 Great Books for Teens, and Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book, ANITA SILVEY has devoted 40 years to promoting books that will turn the young -- and families -- into readers. Her most recent books are Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall and Let Your Voice Be Heard: The Life and Times of Pete Seeger. She has appeared frequently on NPR, The Today Show, 60 Minutes, and various radio programs to talk about the best books for young people. In a unique career in the children's book field, Silvey has divided her time equally between publishing, evaluating children's books, and writing. Her lifelong conviction that "only the very best of anything can be good enough for the young" forms the cornerstone of her work. Formerly publisher of children's books for Houghton Mifflin Company and editor in chief of The Horn Book magazine, she currently teaches modern book publishing, children's book publishing, and children's book author studies at several colleges.