Mystery Fish

Secrets of the Coelacanth

From the Series On My Own Science

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

In 1938, off the coast of South Africa, a woman found a strange blue fish with four stubby fins, pointed spines, and a funny looking tail—it was a coelacanth! Until that very moment, the world had believed that coelacanths were extinct. Suddenly, scientists around the world were excited—could more of these unusual creatures be found and studied? Discover how scientists worked to solve the mystery of these extraordinary fish.

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978-0-8225-6352-5
$28.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Science
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Brand On My Own Books
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Publication Date 2005-08-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF051170, JNF003150, JNF003090
Dewey 597.3'9
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Guided Reading Level O
ATOS Reading Level 3.3
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 102095
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, and Reviewed

Author: Sally M. Walker

Sally M. Walker has been a children’s book writer for over 20 years. Most of her books are nonfiction and present various science topics to young readers. Fossil Fish Found Alive is the story of the hunt for the elusive fish called the coelacanth. Sally also enjoys combining science investigation with historical topics. Her book Secrets of a Civil War Submarine, which won the 2006 Robert F. Sibert Medal, tells about the history, loss, and re-discovery of the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in battle. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland takes readers on archaeological expeditions, where the forensic analysis of colonial settlers’ bones helps us to understand their lives. Sally especially enjoys writing narrative nonfiction that captures the reader’s attention with a true story. She is also the author of 2019 Orbis Pictus Honor Book Champion: The Comeback Tale of the American Chestnut.

Illustrator: Shawn Gould

Reviews

The Horn Book Guide

“The content and detailed illustrations complementing the text make the book accessible to independent as well as reluctant readers.”
The Horn Book Guide

Library Media Connection

“On My Own Science is an accessible, informative series for middle and upper elementary students. . . this series would be a beneficial addtion to most school libraries. . .”
Library Media Connection

NSTA

“Mystery Fish would be a nice addition to a classroom or a school library because it focuses on ecology, biology, animals, and the exploration of science from the perspective of a scientist. Students like these types of ‘strange and mysterious creatures’ and would find this book appealing.”
NSTA