This book tells about where different fish live in different parts of the world with some extra facts about the fish on the side of the pages.

Primary
Non Fiction

This book is about different reasons why fish are not surviving. If we stop the reasons why they aren't surviving fish can survive. This book also has facts about fish. Very informational. ( )

A place for fish by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond

Stewart follows the formula of her other "place" books, mixing a few simple sentences about the various threats to fishes' well-being with a sidebar of facts about a specific species of fish and how they are in danger. The simple sentences give environmental information including the danger of over-fishing, pollution, capturing rare fish for pets, and invasive species, among other threats. The sidebar information includes species such as hammerhead sharks, smallmouth bass, lined seahorses, Atlantic salmon, and more.
Bond's acrylic illustrations are photographic with intense detail in the landscapes and fish.

Extras: There is a list of simple things kids can do in the last sidebar, as well as additional fish facts, bibliography, suggested websites, and the endpapers contain maps showing the location of the various species highlighted throughout the book

Verdict: This series seems to be popular among librarians, but I've never quite gotten the point of it (although I love Melissa Stewart's Under the Snow and similar books). In this particular volume, the simple sentences seem aimed at a younger audience, but what purpose does telling kids "When people find other ways to make electricity, fish can live and grow" serve? The suggestions for kids to get involved are ok, but these books are basically a list of all the things that are killing fish; very few of them are things kids can affect, and the "solutions" are so vague and general they don't offer much hope. I would rather have practical books about ways kids can recycle and help the environment, concrete examples of how scientists and activists are making changes, and books about fish that are just...books about fish. Feel free to try to change my mind and explain how you use these books!

ISBN: 978-1561455621; Published March 2011 by Peachtree; Borrowed from the library