Booklist STARRED REVIEW (Spotlight on Nature)

Each book in the Spotlight on Nature series reveals notable facts about the tide animal and centers on a "Featured Family" species to provide specific insights on the creature. A dear narrative details the beginning of the animal's life, from birth to sexual maturity. A simple time line of milestones complements the story throughout, and vivid photographs grant glimpses into the animals' lives. Hawk follows a red-tailed hawk family and reveals that, while farming is destroying many habitats, these raptors actually help farms by consuming pests. Madagascar's ring-tailed lemurs star in Lemur, although facts about many species and general trivia abound, including how lemurs possess two tongues—one for tasting, one for grooming. These singular primates are also revealed to be critically endangered, and readers will learn about causes and mitigation tactics on this front. Leopard shows the Amur leopard pouncing in the snow in its chilly Russian habitat. Seal highlights elephant seals in Point Reyes, California, and differentiates between true seals and sea lions. Thorough back matter includes "snapshots" of different species, authoritative resources (books by experts, conservation websites, and documentaries), and information on ways to support and visit the animals, both in refuges and in the wild. A superior choice for middle schoolers. —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

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