The Monarchs Are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery

By Rebecca E. Hirsch

Why are monarch butterflies disappearing? Scientists are racing to find answers. These iconic orange, black, and white butterflies flutter across much of the North American continent, and are a familiar summer sight in many backyards. But in the last twenty years, the monarch butterfly population has been decreasing. Why? Skilled science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch takes readers on a quest to discover what scientists already know—and what they're hoping to learn. In addition, she offers tips about what monarch lovers can do to make a difference, from planting a butterfly garden to getting the word out about harmful pesticides to taking part in citizen science projects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing
• Release date: Jan 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781541523227

Rebecca E. Hirsch

Rebecca E. Hirsch is an award- winning children's author with a PhD in plant biology. Her picture books include Plants Can't Sit Still and Night Creatures: Animals That Swoop, Crawl, and Creep while You Sleep. She lives with her husband and three children in State College, Pennsylvania. You can visit her online at rebeccahirsch.com.

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Reviews for The Monarchs Are Missing

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In clear, concise language, this book describes the life cycle, migration patterns, and problems affecting monarch butterflies. Beautiful, full-color illustrations accompany the text.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned some new information as well. For example, I knew that monarchs migrate to Southern California and Mexico for the winter but I did not know that this was based on the Rockies; those butterflies born west of the Rockies go to California and those born to the east of that mountain range fly to Mexico. Throughout the book, there is detailed information, including statistics, about much of the science behind the monarchs and why their numbers have dwindled. Talk about the role of citizen science makes it clear that readers can take steps to further the research and help monarchs.My only quibble with this book is its format. The physical size and shape of the book make it seem like a picture book for very young readers. However, once you open its pages, it's clear from the amount of text per page that it's for an older audience. I worry that older readers may pass it over thinking it is for younger kids while those little ones will be frustrated by how wordy it is.

[canderson15-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Students could study the life of a butterfly specifically a monarch in this case and see where is starts and then forms into a butterfly. You could have a butterfly house that students would be able to observe every day in the interactive notebooks. Students would also be taught and engage in the activity of habits that animals maintain and their adaptations. There would be an emphasis specifically on the life cycle.