Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It

Reviewed by: Cathy Potter - Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 10, 2015

Review

Loree Griffin Burns traces how an invasive species traveled to North America and devastated forests in Beetle Busters, a Scientists in the Field book. The Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) is an aggressive insect that lays eggs inside hardwood trees. When the larvae matures into an adult beetle it tunnels out of the tree causing extensive damage. Infected trees are then cut down by foresters to stop the spread of the ALB. Organized into six chapters, the middle grade text traces how the ALB came to the U.S. from China in wooden shipping pallets. Burns describes how scientists in Worcester, Massachusetts survey forests, identify infected trees and study the effects of the ALB as they attempt to stop the spread of the species. Close-up photographs, maps and diagrams support the narrative. Back matter is extensive and includes an author’s note, glossary, and a list of resources about the ALB. The final chapter is a call to action that stresses the importance of paying attention to nature and our surroundings. Beetle Busters is a recommended purchase for library collections, and it would make an excellent read aloud to middle grade science classes.

Overall Book Score: excellent