Ocean Drifters: A Secret World Beneath the Waves

Despite the quantity and variety of plankton (a word taken from the Greek planktos, which means "drifter") in the ocean, few people know or care about them. A critical part of the diets of many creatures, plankton help regulate global temperatures, as well as being responsible for the carbon in the ocean, and the very scent of the sea. Molecular geneticist Kirby aims to introduce readers to the world of plankton, which are nearly invisible to the naked eye, through a stunning set of high-resolution photos demonstrating the uniqueness of the different species, and the delicate balance they maintain with the rest of the world. Though Kirby uses enough scientific expressions to warrant keeping a dictionary on hand, the book is accessible to lay readers. It would be an excellent addition to school libraries, regardless of the age of the students, and will hopefully raise awareness of the ocean's fragile ecosystems. (Oct.)