Learning to Be Wild (A Young Reader's Adaptation)

June 15, 2023
Chimpanzees, scarlet macaws, and sperm whales all have cultures worthy of respect. Science writer Safina investigates social learning to prove that animals, like humans, have cultures--they learn how to be who they are. Learned cultures provide skills, identity, a sense of belonging, and traditions. He describes chimps learning ways to survive and make peace within their communities, macaws learning where and how to forage, and sperm whales growing up and thriving in family groups. In Uganda, the Peruvian Amazon, and Dominica, the author joins scientists studying each of these species. His observations are fascinating, full of vignettes about individual animals and information about their behaviors. This is a genuine revision for younger readers of his adult title Becoming Wild (2020), a reframing that is less political and philosophical and more focused on the animals and their intriguing behaviors than on the many, many threats they face. The immediacy and detail of these observations bring readers right into the experience of field science. Most thought-provoking, perhaps, are Safina's explanation of culture and his observation that, "without some original innovator...there is no knowledge, skill or tradition that could get shared; no culture to copy and conform to." Black-and-white photographs of the scientists and their subjects are interspersed throughout the text. A well-crafted adaptation offering an extraordinary look at animal worlds. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16)

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July 1, 2023
Grades 7-11 This young reader's version of a well--received study on how various animals build communities offers lots of firsthand descriptions of fieldwork in exotic natural habitats. An accessible prologue explains that animal communities come into existence when various subgroups pass down unique, taught information that enhances naturally inbred instincts. These learned behaviors, such as respecting social ranking, showing higher regard for brilliant colors, and banding together to protect the young, are cited as examples of community behavior and are brought to life through engaging descriptions of trekking through Uganda to study chimpanzees, chasing down scarlet macaws in the Peruvian Amazon, and diving with sperm whales in the Caribbean. The author is a great storyteller, and scientific facts and research findings are seamlessly woven into his narrative. His social observations (animals can create peaceful, ordered societies; animals can appreciate beauty; family connections are everything) go down easy, as does his overall message about human responsibility and stewardship. Unfortunately, this edition does not include notes or references. Still, this will be of great interest to conservationists who care about life on planet Earth.

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October 1, 2023

Gr 6 Up-Some things are inherited from generation to generation, like genes. Other things are learned by culture. Every group has a culture, be it humans, chimpanzees, macaws, or sperm whales. Adapted from ecologist Safina's Becoming Wild, this book is divided into the same three parts, but presented in a different order: Achieving Peace, Creating Beauty, and Raising Families. The short, direct sentences intersperse Safina's travels with research, which allows for smooth, easy-to-follow reading. The case for protecting animals-and their cultures-is strong throughout the text, as Safina demonstrates what is lost when culture is threatened or disappears altogether. Animal-loving readers will enjoy the storytelling and photographs that bring further life to the people and creatures introduced in the book. However, there are some missed opportunities to make the text more relatable to a younger audience. Analogies such as "a pressure cooker waiting to explode" or lamenting a time before the information age, something digital natives might not grasp, may alienate some of the intended audience. The lack of back matter or suggested reading might make it a difficult sell as a research aide for students. VERDICT Scientists-in-the-making will enjoy this glimpse into future possibilities.-Elissa Cooper

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