Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian -- Margarita Engle, Hardcover

In the Middle Ages, people believed that insects were evil, born from mud in a process called spontaneous generation. Maria Merian was only a child, but she disagreed. She watched carefully as caterpillars spun themselves cocoons, which opened to reveal summer birds, or butterflies and moths. Maria studied the whole life cycle of the summer birds, and documented what she learned in vibrant paintings.

This is the story of one young girl who took the time to observe and learn, and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.

Author: Margarita Engle
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Published: 04/27/2010
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 10.10h x 8.20w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780805089370
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 144214 / Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian

Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 03/15/2010 pg. 43
Kirkus Review - Children 03/01/2010 pg. 197
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2010
School Library Journal 07/01/2010 pg. 74
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2010 - Recommended, Satisfactory
BookPage 05/01/2010

About the Author

Margarita Engle is a Cuban American poet, novelist, and journalist whose work has been published in many countries. She is the author of young adult nonfiction books and novels in verse including The Surrender Tree, a Newbery Honor Book, The Poet Slave of Cuba, Hurricane Dancers, The Firefly Letters, and Tropical Secrets. She lives in northern California.

Julie Paschkis has illustrated many books for young readers. She lives in Seattle, Washington.