Wild Animal Neighbors

Sharing Our Urban World

  • Interest Level: Grade 5 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 6

What would you do if you found an alligator in your garage? Or if you spotted a mountain lion downtown? In cities and suburbs around the world, wild creatures are showing up where we least expect them. Not all of them arrive by accident, and some are here to stay. As the human population tops seven billion, animals are running out of space. Their natural habitats are surrounded—and sometimes even replaced—by highways, shopping centers, office parks, and subdivisions. The result? A wildlife invasion of our urban neighborhoods.

What kinds of animals are making cities their new home? How can they survive in our ecosystem of concrete, steel, and glass? And what does their presence there mean for their future and ours? Join scientists, activists, and the folks next door on a journey around the globe to track down our newest wild animal neighbors. Discover what is bringing these creatures to our backyards—and how we can create spaces for people and animals to live side by side.

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978-1-5124-5304-1
$37.99
978-1-4677-5934-2
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Interest Level Grade 5 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 6
Genre Science
Category Animals
Copyright 2014
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Twenty-First Century Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 64
Publication Date 2015-08-01
Reading Counts! Level 9.2
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF003000, JNF051150, JNF051100
Dewey 591.75'6
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.75 x 9.75
Lexile 1080
ATOS Reading Level 7.5
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 159959
Accelerated Reader® Points 2.0
Features Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Index, Maps, Photo captions, Reviewed, Sidebars, Source notes, Starred Reviews, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Ann Downer

Ann Downer was born in Virginia and spent part of her childhood in the Philippines and in Thailand. She is the author of five fantasy novels for young readers and three previous books about science, including the award-winning Elephant Talk: The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication for Twenty-First Century Books. Her first picture book, Shark Baby, was published in 2013. She lives outside Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband and son. Their backyard is visited by woodchucks, skunks, and rabbits, but no bears—so far.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Wild Animal Neighbors

What would you do if you found an alligator in your garage? Or if you spotted a mountain lion downtown? In cities and suburbs around the world, wild creatures are showing up where we least expect them. Not all of them arrive by accident, and some are here to stay. As the human population View available downloads →

Awards

  • Cream of the Crop for Children's and Young Adult Literature, Winner, 2014
  • Booklist Top 10 Books on Sustainability for Youth, Winner, 2014
  • New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Winner, 2014
  • ACL Distinguished Book, Winner, 2014
  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2014

Reviews

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The content holds obvious appeal, and Downer’s presentation is clear and engaging….[A] useful and thought-provoking book that will prove to be a hit with city-dwelling animal lovers and wannabe wildlife scientists." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Kirkus Reviews

“An unusual issue set forth clearly and concisely for middle school and high school readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

“This successful book is worthy of a spot on any library shelf.” —starred, School Library Journal