The Whale Scientists

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They began as land creatures. Then, for more plentiful food, or so scientists believe, whales made the water their home and evolved into the colossal, majestic creatures of the sea that we know today—the same majestic creatures that humans learned to hunt and kill: first for food and then for oil, soap, candles, furniture, and even waspwaist corsets. Rich in meat, blubber, bone, and baleen, the whale served so many purposes for humans that its stranding was seen as a gift from the sea.But now, with their numbers diminished worldwide, whales have become the subject of scientific study. Humans hunt now for a deeper understanding of cetaceans. Why would the world’s largest mammal do something that would most likely cause it to die? Around the world, scientists are trying to find the answer.

Fran Hodgkinss lifelong passion for marine biology and journalism inspired her to write about the very creatures that captured her imagination when she was a child.Fran now lives outside Baltimore, Maryland.

"The text and color photographs are interesting...the many questions still left for whale researchers should intrigue young readers." Kirkus 10/01/07 Kirkus Reviews

"[T]his is an engaging topic...Photographs scattered throughout keep the look inviting..." Bulletin December 2007 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Those heartbreaking images of the sea's giant mammals beaching themselves...form the core of this investigative picture book." Columbus Dispatch 11/14/07 Columbus Dispatch

"Hodgkins packs her text with an impressive amount of information...appealing subject and presentation." SLJ Jan 2007 School Library Journal

"Debut author Hodgkins offers a comprehensive overview of whale stranding." Booklist, 12/01/07 Booklist, ALA

"The engaginly designed pages are enhanced by well-captioned photographs." The Horn Book Jan/Feb 2008 Horn Book