Last of the Giants

The Rise and Fall of Earth's Most Dominant Species

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

Today, an ancient world is vanishing right before our eyes: the age of giant animals. Over 40,000 years ago, the earth was ruled by megafauna: mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Of course, those creatures no longer exist, and there is only one likely reason for that: the evolution and arrival of the earth’s only tool-wielding hunter, the wildly adaptive, comparatively pint-sized human species. Many more of the world’s biggest and baddest creatures—including the black rhino, the dodo, giant tortoises, and the great auk—have vanished since our world became truly global. Last of the Giants chronicles those giant animals and apex predators pushed to extinction in the modern era. The book also highlights those giant species that remain—even though many barely survive, living in such low numbers that they are on the brink of leaving this world within the next few decades. However, there is hope, for many endangered species can still be saved. As it profiles each extinct and endangered animal, Last of the Giants focuses on the conservation efforts that are trying to preserve the world’s remaining charismatic species before they are lost forever.

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978-1-5415-7979-8
$18.99
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Interest Level Grade 6 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 6
Genre Science, Young Adult
Category Animals
Copyright 2016
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Zest Books ™
Language English
Number of Pages 272
Publication Date 2019-08-01
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS YAN050110, YAN003000, YAN050080
Dimensions 6 x 9
Features Introductory note, Original artwork, Sidebars, Source notes, and Teaching Guides

Author: Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell has published two previous young adult books about animals: Daisy to the Rescue (a 2015 IPPY gold medal winner), about animals saving human lives and the science of animal intelligence; and Last of the Giants (a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection), about conservation and our current extinction crisis. For twelve years, Jeff was an award-winning travel writer for Lonely Planet, and he’s also a book editor and creative writing teacher. He is based in Morristown, New Jersey.

Illustrator: Adam Grano

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!

Last of the Giants

Today, an ancient world is vanishing right before our eyes: the age of giant animals. Over 40,000 years ago, the earth was ruled by megafauna: mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Of course, those creatures no longer exist, and there is only one likely reason for… View available downloads →