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Scientists in the Field
Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion
Aided by an army of beachcombers, oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer tracks trash in the name of science. From sneakers to hockey gloves, Curt monitors the watery fate of human-made cargo that has spilled into the ocean. The information he collects is much more than casual news; it is important scientific data. And with careful analysis, Curt, along with a community of scientists, friends, and beachcombers alike, is using his data to understand and protect our ocean.
In engaging text and unforgettable images, readers meet the woman who started it all (Curt’s mother!), the computer program that makes sense of his data (nicknamed OSCURS), and several scientists, both on land and on the sea, who are using Curt’s discoveries to preserve delicate marine habitats and protect the creatures who live in them. A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book for Nonfiction.
In engaging text and unforgettable images, readers meet the woman who started it all (Curt’s mother!), the computer program that makes sense of his data (nicknamed OSCURS), and several scientists, both on land and on the sea, who are using Curt’s discoveries to preserve delicate marine habitats and protect the creatures who live in them. A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book for Nonfiction.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2007
26 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Loree Griffin Burns
15 books68 followersLoree is a scientist-turned-writer specializing in books about science and nature for young readers. You can learn more about her adventures and her books by visiting her website (www.loreeburns.com) or by following her blog (http://loreeburns.com/category/blog/).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
November 3, 2018
It's about lots more than just the floating island of plastic in the Pacific. But in that chapter is a provocative quote from Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer: "If you turned off the plastic switch somehow you still have plastic washing ashore here (Tern Island) for thirty or forty years (past 1999)."
(Btw, ppl, microfiber 'fabric' is actually plastic that sheds pellets that enter the food chain. Also, plastic is produced from oil. Don't jump on the microfiber bandwagon.)
Great book. All important appendices are included. And Ebbesmeyer is my new hero.
(Btw, ppl, microfiber 'fabric' is actually plastic that sheds pellets that enter the food chain. Also, plastic is produced from oil. Don't jump on the microfiber bandwagon.)
Great book. All important appendices are included. And Ebbesmeyer is my new hero.
January 23, 2019
Rubber ducky, you’re the one, you make science so much fun …
In 1992, a container ship en route from Asia to North America spilled 12 containers overboard — including one containing 28,800 floating bathtub toys: yellow ducklings, green frogs, blue turtles and red beavers. “The most floatable of all floatable objects” -- made of plastic, not rubber -- were now adrift in the ocean currents. Tracking Trash uses this and a similar spill of Nike sneakers (which also float) to introduce the ecological problems of plastic debris and the vast ocean garbage patches. A second, interlinked problem is that of “ghost nets” — giant abandoned fishing nets that continue to catch and kill sea creatures although no one is using them.
The book focuses on oceanographer Curt Ebbesmeyer and five other scientists/researchers who have worked on these problems with many volunteers, including children, playing important parts in data collection. It's a great book to educate and inspire middle grade and older children, with a serious and inspiring tone. It shows the importance of gathering accurate information to understand the problem, the importance of educating the public, the dedication of the scientists, and their creative problem-solving, some involving technology. The book is attractively designed and well-illustrated with photographs, maps and charts. Two of the photographs show animals that have died from ingesting plastic or being caught in a net — and obviously the book’s subject matter is disturbing, but I found the book well-balanced between the seriousness of the problems with the energy and care being exerted to solve them.
Note: Although this book (2007) states that “There is no organism anywhere on the planet that can digest plastic” in 2016 scientists discovered bacteria digesting plastic waste, and as of September 2018 (as published in Quanta) similar plastic-digesting bacteria were discovered to be thriving in the ocean’s garbage patches, which have formed their own ecosystems. So this book might also be a great starting point for learning about evolution, ecosystems, and the continually changing nature of nature. It might also be good to discuss whether absolute negative statements are appropriate in science — Wouldn’t it have been more true to say: “We don’t know of any organism right now that digests plastic?”
P.S. I learned (although not entirely from this book) that "flotsam" and "jetsam" are actually legal terms in marine law ... with definitions much too complicated to state here, but basically, flotsam is floating debris from a ship or its contents, and jetsam is material that was deliberately jettisoned (thrown overboard) from a ship, usually to lighten its load.
In 1992, a container ship en route from Asia to North America spilled 12 containers overboard — including one containing 28,800 floating bathtub toys: yellow ducklings, green frogs, blue turtles and red beavers. “The most floatable of all floatable objects” -- made of plastic, not rubber -- were now adrift in the ocean currents. Tracking Trash uses this and a similar spill of Nike sneakers (which also float) to introduce the ecological problems of plastic debris and the vast ocean garbage patches. A second, interlinked problem is that of “ghost nets” — giant abandoned fishing nets that continue to catch and kill sea creatures although no one is using them.
The book focuses on oceanographer Curt Ebbesmeyer and five other scientists/researchers who have worked on these problems with many volunteers, including children, playing important parts in data collection. It's a great book to educate and inspire middle grade and older children, with a serious and inspiring tone. It shows the importance of gathering accurate information to understand the problem, the importance of educating the public, the dedication of the scientists, and their creative problem-solving, some involving technology. The book is attractively designed and well-illustrated with photographs, maps and charts. Two of the photographs show animals that have died from ingesting plastic or being caught in a net — and obviously the book’s subject matter is disturbing, but I found the book well-balanced between the seriousness of the problems with the energy and care being exerted to solve them.
Note: Although this book (2007) states that “There is no organism anywhere on the planet that can digest plastic” in 2016 scientists discovered bacteria digesting plastic waste, and as of September 2018 (as published in Quanta) similar plastic-digesting bacteria were discovered to be thriving in the ocean’s garbage patches, which have formed their own ecosystems. So this book might also be a great starting point for learning about evolution, ecosystems, and the continually changing nature of nature. It might also be good to discuss whether absolute negative statements are appropriate in science — Wouldn’t it have been more true to say: “We don’t know of any organism right now that digests plastic?”
P.S. I learned (although not entirely from this book) that "flotsam" and "jetsam" are actually legal terms in marine law ... with definitions much too complicated to state here, but basically, flotsam is floating debris from a ship or its contents, and jetsam is material that was deliberately jettisoned (thrown overboard) from a ship, usually to lighten its load.
May 8, 2008
A fascinating story that follows the work of oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, who studies ocean currents and the patterns of floating debris in the ocean. The science behind the book is explained clearly and made accessible, and is punctuated with photographs and informational insets. Each chapter begins with an engaging anecdote or case study which the author then connects to the scientific experiments and principles that relate to it. Without being preachy, it will inspire readers to be more environmentally conscious, and the “What You Can Do” inset includes simple ways that anyone can help reduce ocean pollution. This book is intended for grades 5-8, but teens and adults will find it interesting and readable as well. Despite a few glaring copy-editing errors, this book has generally high production values, with good graphic design, quality paper, and richly reproduced color photographs.
My summary: Informational book about ocean patterns and how they move human trash and pollution; also discusses why we need to protect the ocean environment and how we can do it.
Positively reviewed in Hornbook and SLJ, which called the “well-written narrative…excellent for reports.”
My summary: Informational book about ocean patterns and how they move human trash and pollution; also discusses why we need to protect the ocean environment and how we can do it.
Positively reviewed in Hornbook and SLJ, which called the “well-written narrative…excellent for reports.”
November 14, 2008
TRACKING TRASH by Loree Griffin Burns is a trip to a different world -- our oceans. The author won a well-earned Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for this work of non-fiction that's as transporting as any novel. My kids - 5 and 10 - were entranced as I read out loud about huge cargo spills of sneakers and bath toys, where the items washed up on beaches all over the world, and what it taught scientists about ocean currents. They were horrified -- and so was I -- by stories of "ghost nets" that are abandoned in the seas to become garbage magnets and death traps for wildlife. This is an important book that teaches stewardship without ever feeling preachy, and it's well-deserving of the honors it's receiving.
October 2, 2012
Tracking Trash follows oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer as he tracks how trash and other debris, some of which is known as flotsam and jetsam can be used to study how the ocean moves. By tracking trash in the ocean scientists can learn about ocean currents and what drives them. Ocean currents are important because they result in weather changes that effect climate, and these climate changes then effect the environment, and that effects the people and animals that live in that environment. Dr. Ebbesmeyer first began tracking trash after his mother showed him a newspaper article about hundreds of sneakers washed up on beaches near Seattle. The book follows Dr. Ebbesmeyer through his studies of tracking ocean debris, his use of the OSCURS software program to calculate surface current movement and expand knowledge of ocean currents, and the discovery by his colleague Captain Charles Moore of a floating garbage pile the size of Alaska. As founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) Charles Moore set out to study the floating trash known as the Eastern Garbage Patch. The vast amounts of plastic in the Eastern Garbage Patch shows just part of the extent of our society’s plastic pollution, which Moore estimates is only 20% of the plastic floating in the ocean. This plastic is consumed by sea animals who mistake it for food, ultimately leading to their death since plastic is indigestible and does not biodegrade over time. The book also talks about the hundreds of tons of discarded fishing nets floating in the ocean and the implications for sea life trapped in these “ghost nets” and the many coral reefs damaged as a result. The book concludes with efforts being made by various groups and new scientific tools being used that help scientists better understand how the ocean moves and how we these efforts can be used to protect the ocean and the environment.
Tracking Trash was visually appealing with a lot of photos, diagrams, and illustrations throughout, and all of these images encouraged better understanding of the concepts discussed in the book. Readers will initially be intrigued by how tracking trash can tell scientists so much about the ocean, and then they will most likely be disgusted and very surprised by the great amounts of trash, especially plastic, that can be found in our oceans. The book offers ways in which people can help reduce the amount of trash in the ocean by reducing, reusing, and recycling, and getting involved in coastal cleanup initiatives, more resources are included in the back of the book for interested readers as well. Overall, the topic of this book is interesting and most young readers will find the trash tracking aspect of ocean science unique and intriguing. Many people probably do not think about the ocean currents too often and their effects, or the “health” of the ocean and how it effects the environment. After reading this book hopefully some readers will be encouraged to do their part to make a difference and spread the word to those around them to do the same.
Tracking Trash was visually appealing with a lot of photos, diagrams, and illustrations throughout, and all of these images encouraged better understanding of the concepts discussed in the book. Readers will initially be intrigued by how tracking trash can tell scientists so much about the ocean, and then they will most likely be disgusted and very surprised by the great amounts of trash, especially plastic, that can be found in our oceans. The book offers ways in which people can help reduce the amount of trash in the ocean by reducing, reusing, and recycling, and getting involved in coastal cleanup initiatives, more resources are included in the back of the book for interested readers as well. Overall, the topic of this book is interesting and most young readers will find the trash tracking aspect of ocean science unique and intriguing. Many people probably do not think about the ocean currents too often and their effects, or the “health” of the ocean and how it effects the environment. After reading this book hopefully some readers will be encouraged to do their part to make a difference and spread the word to those around them to do the same.
February 13, 2017
You can't go wrong with the Scientists in the Field series by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book described how scientists discovered new information about ocean currents by studying the movements of sneakers, rubber bath toys, and other items that fall into the ocean from cargo vessels. I was surprised to learn how many cargo containers--2,000 to 10,000--wash off into the sea every year. Some stuff sinks, but the rest floats around until it's washed ashore somewhere. One scientist said, with regards to some sneakers washed ashore in Hawai'i, that they were "quite wearable after three years at sea..."! If only you could find a matching pair in your size, you could get yourself a free pair of Nike sneakers.
As fascinating as that was, the second half of the book was even better, as well as disturbing. The author discussed how plastic, which is non-biodegradable, is killing fish and other sea animals. Some of it breaks into such small pieces that animals accidentally or unknowingly ingest it, and it can then make its way into US if we eat those animals. There is a place in the Pacific Ocean called "the Garbage Patch" where ocean currents converge, bringing huge amounts of plastic that just...collects there, getting bigger and bigger. And it isn't just on the surface. Scientists dragged a manta trawl under the water and came up with all kinds of plastic (see page 37). There's a photo on page 39 of a "remote, uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean" that is littered with an unbelievable amount of plastic--and BIG objects as well as tiny pieces. Is there no place pristine any more? And abandoned fishing nets--there's another hazard, choking and entrapping sea animals and scraping up coral reefs. I was appalled to see a photo on page 45 of a reef with a large fishing net snagged on it and a blue laundry basket as well. It made me stop and think--how can I avoid buying any more plastic? It's so all-pervasive in our society. If only more people could see what it's done to the ocean. This book will certainly help.
Burns has written a thought-provoking book that should be on every school and public library shelf. Highly recommended!!
As fascinating as that was, the second half of the book was even better, as well as disturbing. The author discussed how plastic, which is non-biodegradable, is killing fish and other sea animals. Some of it breaks into such small pieces that animals accidentally or unknowingly ingest it, and it can then make its way into US if we eat those animals. There is a place in the Pacific Ocean called "the Garbage Patch" where ocean currents converge, bringing huge amounts of plastic that just...collects there, getting bigger and bigger. And it isn't just on the surface. Scientists dragged a manta trawl under the water and came up with all kinds of plastic (see page 37). There's a photo on page 39 of a "remote, uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean" that is littered with an unbelievable amount of plastic--and BIG objects as well as tiny pieces. Is there no place pristine any more? And abandoned fishing nets--there's another hazard, choking and entrapping sea animals and scraping up coral reefs. I was appalled to see a photo on page 45 of a reef with a large fishing net snagged on it and a blue laundry basket as well. It made me stop and think--how can I avoid buying any more plastic? It's so all-pervasive in our society. If only more people could see what it's done to the ocean. This book will certainly help.
Burns has written a thought-provoking book that should be on every school and public library shelf. Highly recommended!!
April 28, 2016
Tracking Trash – Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion by Loree Griffin Burns is about an oceanographer named Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer and his quest to track the patterns of ocean movement by tracking drifting trash in the ocean all around the world. He calls these drift experiments. Curt began with trash from cargo boats and estimated that between 2,000-10,000 cargo containers fall from cargo ships every year. If not sealed properly or punctured in the fall, the container would sink and its contents spill out into the ocean. Some items sink to the ocean floor, but other items such as the Nike sneakers that spilled in the ocean in 1990 can float for a very long time and are still being tracked. Curt and his team are currently tracking trash on beaches all over the globe from spilled cargo containers, including rubber tub toys from 1992, computer monitors from 2000, and hockey gloves from 1994. He developed the computer program OSCURS (Ocean Surface CURrent Simulator) to track trash.
So what can we do to help? Unfortunately it isn’t possible to clean up the entire ocean, but we need to stop using disposable plastics according to Curt and invent new biodegradable materials that meet our current plastic needs. His motto is remember the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This book gives a very in-depth look at ocean movement for anyone who has an interest in this field. The picture of the seal with trash wrapped around its neck on the cover kind of lead me to believe this book was going to be more about the damage trash does to ocean animals and creatures (despite its title’s direct reference to ocean movement), so I was a little disappointed as the science of ocean movement isn’t too high on my list. Nonetheless, there are some good takeaways from the book and interesting facts along the way.
So what can we do to help? Unfortunately it isn’t possible to clean up the entire ocean, but we need to stop using disposable plastics according to Curt and invent new biodegradable materials that meet our current plastic needs. His motto is remember the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This book gives a very in-depth look at ocean movement for anyone who has an interest in this field. The picture of the seal with trash wrapped around its neck on the cover kind of lead me to believe this book was going to be more about the damage trash does to ocean animals and creatures (despite its title’s direct reference to ocean movement), so I was a little disappointed as the science of ocean movement isn’t too high on my list. Nonetheless, there are some good takeaways from the book and interesting facts along the way.
July 24, 2013
Audience: Intermediate
Genre: Non-fiction
Bloom's Questions:
1. Name 2 things/objects Curt Eddesmeyer tracked?
2. Describe what the OSCURS does.
3. Tell me where you would find what the term windage means. What pages can that term be found on?
4. What is the relationship between the currents and the trash in the ocean?
5. What part of the book or which piece of information impacted you the most?
6. What changes can you make to your daily life to help improve the trash and pollution problems we are facing today?
I accidentally did this bottom portion before I did my Bloom's Questions, so I figure I would leave it since I did the work :)
Twin Book: I would use the picture book "Taye and Cora Save the Earth" written by Tamatha Hollingsworth, and illustrations by Alexa Polito as the fiction twin book for "Tracking Trash: Floatsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion". Both books discuss what we can do to help reduce the waste. One chapter in "Tracking Trash" specifically discussed what we could do to help with the pollution problem. In "Taye and Cora" the book gives multiple ways to help reduce waste. Both books also cover how animals are impacted by pollution. Overall, I think the 2 books would make a great pair when discussing pollution, the Eco-system, and/or nature.
Genre: Non-fiction
Bloom's Questions:
1. Name 2 things/objects Curt Eddesmeyer tracked?
2. Describe what the OSCURS does.
3. Tell me where you would find what the term windage means. What pages can that term be found on?
4. What is the relationship between the currents and the trash in the ocean?
5. What part of the book or which piece of information impacted you the most?
6. What changes can you make to your daily life to help improve the trash and pollution problems we are facing today?
I accidentally did this bottom portion before I did my Bloom's Questions, so I figure I would leave it since I did the work :)
Twin Book: I would use the picture book "Taye and Cora Save the Earth" written by Tamatha Hollingsworth, and illustrations by Alexa Polito as the fiction twin book for "Tracking Trash: Floatsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion". Both books discuss what we can do to help reduce the waste. One chapter in "Tracking Trash" specifically discussed what we could do to help with the pollution problem. In "Taye and Cora" the book gives multiple ways to help reduce waste. Both books also cover how animals are impacted by pollution. Overall, I think the 2 books would make a great pair when discussing pollution, the Eco-system, and/or nature.
June 25, 2018
I think my favorite part of this book is the story of how the main researcher get interested in following ocean currents: the Nike shoes showing up along the western coast of the US, followed by the bathtub toys. It is an interesting, and in many ways tragic, story of what we are doing to our oceans.
I do have one complaint about the copy of the book I got. The library covers the books with plastic, in order to preserve them for a long time. But the flyleaves of the book have great maps of the ocean currents, along with some text explaining parts of the maps. Unfortunately, some of the text is covered up by the plastic and the dust jacket, so, unless I would be bold enough to damage the cover, I couldn't read all of it. Since I dislike damaging books, I didn't. I love maps, though, and I am sorry these weren't repeated inside the book as well.
I do have one complaint about the copy of the book I got. The library covers the books with plastic, in order to preserve them for a long time. But the flyleaves of the book have great maps of the ocean currents, along with some text explaining parts of the maps. Unfortunately, some of the text is covered up by the plastic and the dust jacket, so, unless I would be bold enough to damage the cover, I couldn't read all of it. Since I dislike damaging books, I didn't. I love maps, though, and I am sorry these weren't repeated inside the book as well.
July 14, 2008
A fascinating look at what happens to items that fall out of ship containers, where they travel and where they end up. An important book to show kids and all of us how important it is to protect our ocean, wildlife and ourselves from non-recyclable trash. Well researched, great photos, educational AND captivating!
August 14, 2014
Very informative on how trash is tracked through the world's ocean. What hit me the most was how much plastic waste is in the world and makes me wonder how as a civilization of earth how we would ever combat it. Makes a person wonder.
April 26, 2016
Title: Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion
Author: Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator:
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Pollution, ocean movement, marine life
Opening line/sentence: Benjamin Franklin, the famous inventor and patriot, was one of America’s earliest ocean scientists.
Brief Book Summary: This book details the work of an oceanographer to share his discoveries with a younger age range to show the effects that sea pollution is having. It tracks the oceanographer’s data of which trash in the ocean he is tracking, and finding out where the objects are going based off of the direction of ocean drifts.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Chet Bolay (Science Books and Films (Vol. 43, No. 4))
Tracking Trash details the work of several oceanographers, particularly Curt Ebbesmeyer, famous for tracking the dispersal of thousands of Nike sneakers, as well as bathtub toys, for years after storms knocked their containers off the decks of U.S.-bound ships as they crossed the Pacific. Science teachers covering ocean currents have used these incidents as interesting classroom activities for years. The book alerts readers to the problem of long-lived plastic flotsam littering the vast ocean expanse and endless miles of beaches around the world, and further examines the deadly effect of abandoned and drifting ghost nets on reefs and marine life. One glaring mistake states that a 6-foot tidal rise in sea level means that the shoreline moves in just 6 feet; the statement ignores the slope of the beach. The book does justice to the Tracking Trash part of its title, but not to part of the subtitle: the Science of Ocean Motion. Photos of Ebbesmeyer and maps of Pacific currents show up redundantly in too many places, and the glossary is just an afterthought. An important Indian Ocean gyre doesn t appear on any map. Still, the book is a good read, and an edited version would make a suitable supplement to an oceanography text. (Scientists in the Field Series) Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Recommended, Grades 7-12, General Audience. 2007, Houghton Mifflin, 56pp., $17.00. Ages 12 to 18.
(PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin (Boston:), PUBLISHED: 2007.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
From the Scientists in the Field series, this text with its focus on trash in the world s oceans and how currents move it around is one of most fascinating science texts for tweens and teens I have ever read. In five chapters, the author introduces us to opportunity spills of items like Nike shoes, tub toys, and Legos and then goes on to explain the science of Ocean Motion : specifically, waves, tides, currents, and gyres. The history of looking at trash and the role of beachcombers and trash trackers and what they have taught scientists about ocean movement is truly interesting and often inspiring. One of the subtle messages of this book is that is matters where this trash ends up in the ocean and that mankind needs to be more aware of the negative impact of this refuse in all our lives. Maps and pictures throughout the text clearly illustrate everything from currents to the type of spills that have occurred over the years. The format of the book is inviting with an abundance of bright hues against sea colors like blue, light green, and grey. As expected, the glossary is necessary and color-coded back to the chapter in which it first is used; I really loved that! Pages of books to enjoy and websites to explore round out the text. Again, this is a fantastic book. Go out and buy it now! 2007, Houghton Mifflin Company, $18.00. Ages 10 to 18.
(PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin (Boston:), PUBLISHED: 2007.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I wish I had the background knowledge to debate about what the first reviewer was talking about when he was arguing that this book didn’t touch on the science of Ocean Motion. I thought the glossary was very useful just like the second reviewer thought. I agree with reviewer two that it is so interesting to be able to track those things that fall off of ships like legos, shoes, and bath toys based on the ocean currents and beach combers. Overall, I thought this was a good book to show where our trash in the ocean leads to and the effects it has on the surrounding world.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The descriptive features in the text really help to explain the crisp pictures and charts that may get confusing to some younger readers. I think the reader’s voice shines through the content very well and makes it an easy read with all the bright colored pictures to accompany them.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would like to use this book for a lesson on finding complementary pictures and information dealing with your own writing. If you want to reinforce your writing, sometimes pictures can help the reader understand better. I think this book would be valuable for that as well as for obviously talking about pollution and trash in the oceans.
Author: Loree Griffin Burns
Illustrator:
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Pollution, ocean movement, marine life
Opening line/sentence: Benjamin Franklin, the famous inventor and patriot, was one of America’s earliest ocean scientists.
Brief Book Summary: This book details the work of an oceanographer to share his discoveries with a younger age range to show the effects that sea pollution is having. It tracks the oceanographer’s data of which trash in the ocean he is tracking, and finding out where the objects are going based off of the direction of ocean drifts.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Chet Bolay (Science Books and Films (Vol. 43, No. 4))
Tracking Trash details the work of several oceanographers, particularly Curt Ebbesmeyer, famous for tracking the dispersal of thousands of Nike sneakers, as well as bathtub toys, for years after storms knocked their containers off the decks of U.S.-bound ships as they crossed the Pacific. Science teachers covering ocean currents have used these incidents as interesting classroom activities for years. The book alerts readers to the problem of long-lived plastic flotsam littering the vast ocean expanse and endless miles of beaches around the world, and further examines the deadly effect of abandoned and drifting ghost nets on reefs and marine life. One glaring mistake states that a 6-foot tidal rise in sea level means that the shoreline moves in just 6 feet; the statement ignores the slope of the beach. The book does justice to the Tracking Trash part of its title, but not to part of the subtitle: the Science of Ocean Motion. Photos of Ebbesmeyer and maps of Pacific currents show up redundantly in too many places, and the glossary is just an afterthought. An important Indian Ocean gyre doesn t appear on any map. Still, the book is a good read, and an edited version would make a suitable supplement to an oceanography text. (Scientists in the Field Series) Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Recommended, Grades 7-12, General Audience. 2007, Houghton Mifflin, 56pp., $17.00. Ages 12 to 18.
(PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin (Boston:), PUBLISHED: 2007.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
From the Scientists in the Field series, this text with its focus on trash in the world s oceans and how currents move it around is one of most fascinating science texts for tweens and teens I have ever read. In five chapters, the author introduces us to opportunity spills of items like Nike shoes, tub toys, and Legos and then goes on to explain the science of Ocean Motion : specifically, waves, tides, currents, and gyres. The history of looking at trash and the role of beachcombers and trash trackers and what they have taught scientists about ocean movement is truly interesting and often inspiring. One of the subtle messages of this book is that is matters where this trash ends up in the ocean and that mankind needs to be more aware of the negative impact of this refuse in all our lives. Maps and pictures throughout the text clearly illustrate everything from currents to the type of spills that have occurred over the years. The format of the book is inviting with an abundance of bright hues against sea colors like blue, light green, and grey. As expected, the glossary is necessary and color-coded back to the chapter in which it first is used; I really loved that! Pages of books to enjoy and websites to explore round out the text. Again, this is a fantastic book. Go out and buy it now! 2007, Houghton Mifflin Company, $18.00. Ages 10 to 18.
(PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin (Boston:), PUBLISHED: 2007.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I wish I had the background knowledge to debate about what the first reviewer was talking about when he was arguing that this book didn’t touch on the science of Ocean Motion. I thought the glossary was very useful just like the second reviewer thought. I agree with reviewer two that it is so interesting to be able to track those things that fall off of ships like legos, shoes, and bath toys based on the ocean currents and beach combers. Overall, I thought this was a good book to show where our trash in the ocean leads to and the effects it has on the surrounding world.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The descriptive features in the text really help to explain the crisp pictures and charts that may get confusing to some younger readers. I think the reader’s voice shines through the content very well and makes it an easy read with all the bright colored pictures to accompany them.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would like to use this book for a lesson on finding complementary pictures and information dealing with your own writing. If you want to reinforce your writing, sometimes pictures can help the reader understand better. I think this book would be valuable for that as well as for obviously talking about pollution and trash in the oceans.
November 12, 2018
Age: 12-13
Grade: 7th
Genre: Science
In the book Tracking Trash, readers not only find out about Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer’s experiments with trash that falls or is thrown into the sea, but also learn about the ocean’s currents and how they dictate our weather, climate, and environment. I chose this book thinking of any future students I will have who may be interested in life on the ocean and what takes place at sea. Students may be curious about the waves and tides that they observe at the beach, but want to understand how they work.
Teachers can use this to teach students about ocean currents as well as to teach them how the ocean “map” works through lines of longitude and latitude. Through reading this book, they may even discover that they want to become a Beachcomber or Oceanographer one day.
Grade: 7th
Genre: Science
In the book Tracking Trash, readers not only find out about Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer’s experiments with trash that falls or is thrown into the sea, but also learn about the ocean’s currents and how they dictate our weather, climate, and environment. I chose this book thinking of any future students I will have who may be interested in life on the ocean and what takes place at sea. Students may be curious about the waves and tides that they observe at the beach, but want to understand how they work.
Teachers can use this to teach students about ocean currents as well as to teach them how the ocean “map” works through lines of longitude and latitude. Through reading this book, they may even discover that they want to become a Beachcomber or Oceanographer one day.
November 21, 2016
Loree Griffin Burns wrote a fascinating, educational book called Tracking Trash. The book follows Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, an oceanographer, who tracks and traces the movements of the ocean. His discoveries were made with the help of his friend, oceanographer W. James Ingraham, Jr. He created the OSCURS system, the Ocean Surface CURrent Simulator, a data simulator for all of the oceans currents and streams. Together they were able to track and confirm the location of many objects that had been lost in the ocean, such as Nike shoes and plastic ducks. They studied further and drifted into the pollution movement. They found a special current that pulls floating garbage in but doesn't go anywhere. They named it the Garbage Patch. The Garbage Patch had an estimated three million tons of garbage gathered up. They began to remove all of the garbage and warned others of the dangers that it has on humanity. Burns purpose is to inform the reader about oceanography and how it discovered the dangers of humanity's garbage in the ocean.
The overall theme of the book is that we should stop polluting our planet. The oceanographers, Ebbesmeyer and Ingraham, have witnessed the effect of pollution on our oceans. The garbage is ruining the ocean ecosystem by killing fish, jellyfish, seals, and many other animals. This upset in the ecosystem can affect us and lead to extinction. In the book, the oceanographer’s main goal is to protect the animals, however, they discover the biggest thing hurting the animals are fishing nets floating loose in the ocean. Fishing nets can kill many animals and ruin coral reefs, so a solution was needed. The nets that float around causing harm are called ghost nets; that is why the Ghost Net Project was created. This program removes the ghost nets from the ocean and recommends that other sea vessels remove them as well. Together the two oceanographers are helping to save our oceans and our existence.
In the book, the author’s style is a narrative. The book shows Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer’s approach on saving the ocean starting from lost plastic ducks to the deadly ghost nets. The style is effective and engages the reader with fun experiments using lost containers from cargo ships. In the book, we learn that eighty thousand Nike sneakers were lost in the ocean and floated for about nine months before they were found on the West Coast of North America. The oceanographer’s studies intensify and they start taking on pollution. They are able to track and see the effects of
pollution on the entire ocean and make people realize that changes need to be made. The details, experiences, and real change throughout the course of the book makes the style very effective.
Overall, Tracking Trash was a great book. It was informative and inspired the reader to change the way we dispose of trash. The photos and illustrations truly got the point across.The book was engaging from beginning to end and never got boring. The only thing I would like to change in this book is to include more detail regarding the effects of the pollution because it was short but yet a very good book. This book is not like any other book I have read.
The overall theme of the book is that we should stop polluting our planet. The oceanographers, Ebbesmeyer and Ingraham, have witnessed the effect of pollution on our oceans. The garbage is ruining the ocean ecosystem by killing fish, jellyfish, seals, and many other animals. This upset in the ecosystem can affect us and lead to extinction. In the book, the oceanographer’s main goal is to protect the animals, however, they discover the biggest thing hurting the animals are fishing nets floating loose in the ocean. Fishing nets can kill many animals and ruin coral reefs, so a solution was needed. The nets that float around causing harm are called ghost nets; that is why the Ghost Net Project was created. This program removes the ghost nets from the ocean and recommends that other sea vessels remove them as well. Together the two oceanographers are helping to save our oceans and our existence.
In the book, the author’s style is a narrative. The book shows Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer’s approach on saving the ocean starting from lost plastic ducks to the deadly ghost nets. The style is effective and engages the reader with fun experiments using lost containers from cargo ships. In the book, we learn that eighty thousand Nike sneakers were lost in the ocean and floated for about nine months before they were found on the West Coast of North America. The oceanographer’s studies intensify and they start taking on pollution. They are able to track and see the effects of
pollution on the entire ocean and make people realize that changes need to be made. The details, experiences, and real change throughout the course of the book makes the style very effective.
Overall, Tracking Trash was a great book. It was informative and inspired the reader to change the way we dispose of trash. The photos and illustrations truly got the point across.The book was engaging from beginning to end and never got boring. The only thing I would like to change in this book is to include more detail regarding the effects of the pollution because it was short but yet a very good book. This book is not like any other book I have read.
October 15, 2012
Citation: Tracking Trash; Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion, by Loree Griffin Burns. (Houghton Mifflin, 2007). 58p. Informational Text.
Summary: Through maps, photographs, and narrative text; this book examines the work of Curtis Ebbesmeyer and other scientists who document the path of trash in the earth’s waters. Sections that offer background knowledge and additional information are interspersed throughout.
Critique: (a.)The organization of this book is very clear. Concepts are defined and connected, with additional information listed in supplemental sections within each chapter and at the back of the book.
(b.) The organization of this book makes it easy to connect events and scientific concepts. Maps and diagrams are clearly labeled. Photographs are framed, sequenced, or used in a collage format depending on the appropriate context. They match the text and help the reader visualize the events of the text. The book also includes a glossary, more resources and websites, notes, and an index.
(c.) Chapter one begins by making a connection to Benjamin Franklin, a well known historical figure, and then introducing his connection to the scientists of today. (p.1)Franklin’s map of the Gulf Stream accompanies the beginning narrative text. This chapter also includes present day sketches and photographs. Each is clearly labeled and captioned. At the end of the chapter, a reference section explains longitude and latitude with a map and diagrams. (p. 8,9) Each chapter is set up in much the same way; with narrative, maps, photographs, and diagrams defining and recounting events.
Curriculum Connections: I would use this book in a unit on conservation and pollution. I would compare this nonfiction text with Wiesner’s Flotsam and discuss the author’s intent. I might have the students write a letter about conservation to be sent off in a glass bottle and then track where it would end up. I would also have students research how local citizens are helping with pollution issues, and studying currents in the Chesapeake Bay.
Summary: Through maps, photographs, and narrative text; this book examines the work of Curtis Ebbesmeyer and other scientists who document the path of trash in the earth’s waters. Sections that offer background knowledge and additional information are interspersed throughout.
Critique: (a.)The organization of this book is very clear. Concepts are defined and connected, with additional information listed in supplemental sections within each chapter and at the back of the book.
(b.) The organization of this book makes it easy to connect events and scientific concepts. Maps and diagrams are clearly labeled. Photographs are framed, sequenced, or used in a collage format depending on the appropriate context. They match the text and help the reader visualize the events of the text. The book also includes a glossary, more resources and websites, notes, and an index.
(c.) Chapter one begins by making a connection to Benjamin Franklin, a well known historical figure, and then introducing his connection to the scientists of today. (p.1)Franklin’s map of the Gulf Stream accompanies the beginning narrative text. This chapter also includes present day sketches and photographs. Each is clearly labeled and captioned. At the end of the chapter, a reference section explains longitude and latitude with a map and diagrams. (p. 8,9) Each chapter is set up in much the same way; with narrative, maps, photographs, and diagrams defining and recounting events.
Curriculum Connections: I would use this book in a unit on conservation and pollution. I would compare this nonfiction text with Wiesner’s Flotsam and discuss the author’s intent. I might have the students write a letter about conservation to be sent off in a glass bottle and then track where it would end up. I would also have students research how local citizens are helping with pollution issues, and studying currents in the Chesapeake Bay.
October 17, 2011
nice kid's version of 2 adult titles that i really enjoyed, "Moby-duck"
and "Flotsametrics"
and one i haven't read, yet, "Washed up"
i would guess this is for learners age 10-14. has good text, lots of color pics and maps. all about ocean currents, human garbage that floats (plastics and nets mostly) and where it floats to (up, down, side to side etc), how that affects nature and what a person can do about it (stop using plastic for a start, go to the farmers market instead etc :))
this book is from the series called "Scientists in the Field" which is jsut a great great young folks series of books, highly recommended.
and "Flotsametrics"
and one i haven't read, yet, "Washed up"
i would guess this is for learners age 10-14. has good text, lots of color pics and maps. all about ocean currents, human garbage that floats (plastics and nets mostly) and where it floats to (up, down, side to side etc), how that affects nature and what a person can do about it (stop using plastic for a start, go to the farmers market instead etc :))
this book is from the series called "Scientists in the Field" which is jsut a great great young folks series of books, highly recommended.
November 24, 2013
This book is one of the Scientists in the Field books. It is about the science of the ocean and the pollution of it. Flotsam is the stuff floating in the ocean naturally like tree limbs and dead fish, jetsam is the things floating in the ocean that humans have put there like plastic bottles. Scientist Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer is an oceanographer that found the opportunity to study ocean currents through tracking trash. The first time he tried to do this was through the spill of a shipping container that spilled thousands of Nike sneakers. The shoes had been washing up on the shore along the west coast of American and Canada and he tracked down where the spill had been. Once Ebbesmeyer realized that the tragedies of spills in the ocean could be used to further science on ocean currents he began to track trash. The book also discusses the dangers of the trash collected in the ocean and one of the problems is the development of the Eastern Garbage Patch which is between Hawaii and California and is bigger than the state of Alaska. There is no feasible way to get all of this trash out of the ocean, most of it being plastic, and the animals that consume are then consumed by humans. Another problem in the oceans it states are things called ghost nets which are nets that are left in the ocean by fishing ships. These nets catch marine life and kill them and destroy reefs. One was found in a reef in Hawaii the size of a school bus. This book could be used across the curriculum not just for science. It could be used to learn to write letters or persuasive papers, understand longitude and latitude, probabilities and percentages, and much more. I would definitely recommend this book because it interesting, useful in the classroom, and full of information.
October 23, 2018
Summary:
This non fiction book describes how ocean currents affect all life on Earth. Ocean currents control more that just the flow of the water in the ocean. Ocean currents directly effect Earth's weather patterns and where ocean creatures live and find food. Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer shows readers how tracking trash allows him to collect data that will help scientists understand and protect the Earth's oceans.
Evaluation:
This was my first scientists in the field book. I loved it! I am involved in an organization in my neighboor that focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling. I wouldn't consider myself an environmentalist, but I'm close. I do everything that I can to minimise my ecological footprint on the world. This book will become part of my classroom library.
Teaching idea:
During a science lesson I would read the book aloud and then try to simulate ocean currents by using a large fish tank, a rubber duck or other small objects that float, and a fan or hair dryer. I would ask students to tell me things they could do to help make the great garbage patch smaller.
This non fiction book describes how ocean currents affect all life on Earth. Ocean currents control more that just the flow of the water in the ocean. Ocean currents directly effect Earth's weather patterns and where ocean creatures live and find food. Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer shows readers how tracking trash allows him to collect data that will help scientists understand and protect the Earth's oceans.
Evaluation:
This was my first scientists in the field book. I loved it! I am involved in an organization in my neighboor that focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling. I wouldn't consider myself an environmentalist, but I'm close. I do everything that I can to minimise my ecological footprint on the world. This book will become part of my classroom library.
Teaching idea:
During a science lesson I would read the book aloud and then try to simulate ocean currents by using a large fish tank, a rubber duck or other small objects that float, and a fan or hair dryer. I would ask students to tell me things they could do to help make the great garbage patch smaller.
November 16, 2010
I really enjoyed Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. I have personally always been interested in learning about our environment and what we can do to help save it, and am currently taking environmental ethics here at St. Ambrose. Throughout this class we have discussed ocean pollution, but mainly as it relates to oil spills. I really like how Loree Griffin Burns wrote this book on a different type of ocean pollution; things we have lost at sea, such as bath toys and sneakers. Oceanographer Dr. Ebbesmeyer has made it his life goal to track our trash on its journey through sea in hopes of better understanding and saving our oceans and their inhabitants. Throughout this book, readers explore follow plastic toys and sneakers on their journies across the ocean, and vivid photographs really bring these journies to life. One thing I found particularily interesting and disturbing was The Eastern Garbage Patch; a floating garbage dump half way between Hawaii and California the size of Alaska. I had never known about this patch of garbage, and in fact was rather angered by it. If we know it is there, why do we not clean it up? I also really liked how the author took a serious global issue and turned it into a lighthearted read. At first, I thought this book was going to be depressing. I was wrong. In fact, rather than leaving me feeling hopeless, Tracking Trash was inspiring as it told of what people of all ages are doing everyday to help stop this problem. I would reconment this book to readers of all ages, especially those interested in marine life or the environment in general.
December 9, 2011
1. Genre: Junior Book/Informational
2. Summary: Follow scientist Curt Ebbesmeyer along on his exciting adventures tracking bath toys, sneakers, and other trash as it travels across the globe thanks to the movement of the ocean currents.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this book is the use of graphics, photographs, and captions to further explain and demonstrate the content of the book.
b. Of these, the most effective aspect of the book is the photographs. Burns provides her readers with colorful and descriptive images of the experiments scientist Curt Ebbesmeyer conducted over more than a ten year period. Pages 22 and 23 depict an image of how a sneaker and a rubber duck float in water. This image is imperative for young readers to understand why these two items would wear and weather differently over a long period of time being exposed to the elements, including wind, sun, and water.
c. Burns introduces her readers to the negative effects of cargo spills and littering. On pages 44 and 45, readers are offered an up close look at exactly what these detrimental acts can do, including a sea turtle and monk seal being trapped, along with sea coral being blanketed by ghost nets and other debris. Not only do the students read about the effects of such hazardous things, but are able to see the effects first hand.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book would be an excellent non-fiction supplemental read-aloud for any science lesson involving littering, recycling, ocean life, or tides and currents. David Wiesner’s Flotsam would also be a great fictitious book to further explain the effects of the oceans’ currents on our lives.
2. Summary: Follow scientist Curt Ebbesmeyer along on his exciting adventures tracking bath toys, sneakers, and other trash as it travels across the globe thanks to the movement of the ocean currents.
3. Critique:
a. One of the greatest strengths of this book is the use of graphics, photographs, and captions to further explain and demonstrate the content of the book.
b. Of these, the most effective aspect of the book is the photographs. Burns provides her readers with colorful and descriptive images of the experiments scientist Curt Ebbesmeyer conducted over more than a ten year period. Pages 22 and 23 depict an image of how a sneaker and a rubber duck float in water. This image is imperative for young readers to understand why these two items would wear and weather differently over a long period of time being exposed to the elements, including wind, sun, and water.
c. Burns introduces her readers to the negative effects of cargo spills and littering. On pages 44 and 45, readers are offered an up close look at exactly what these detrimental acts can do, including a sea turtle and monk seal being trapped, along with sea coral being blanketed by ghost nets and other debris. Not only do the students read about the effects of such hazardous things, but are able to see the effects first hand.
4. Curriculum Connection: This book would be an excellent non-fiction supplemental read-aloud for any science lesson involving littering, recycling, ocean life, or tides and currents. David Wiesner’s Flotsam would also be a great fictitious book to further explain the effects of the oceans’ currents on our lives.
December 9, 2011
Title: Tracking Trash, Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion
Author: Loree Griffin Burns
Genre: Informational
Summary: Provides an awareness of amount of plastic garbage in our oceans, its origins, effects and possible solutions.
A.The content of this story is addressed in this critique
B.The issue of the pollution of the ocean with plastic and other trash is presented in an understandable story-like manner that will not overwhelm young readers. Oceanographic terminology is effectively introduced and described. For example, (pg. 29) a scientific but understandable description of plankton and its effects on ocean currents is described in simple terms. Scientific techniques used to analyze and predict ocean currents using a computer program called the Ocean Surface CURent Simulator (OSCURS) (pg. 13) are also clearly explained. In addition, young readers can understand the plastic waste affects sea animals and how it is broken down and enters the food chain. The illustrations show ocean animals caught in fishing nets, which can illicit emotional reactions. However, the emotional content is simmered by the matter of fact presentation of the facts in everyday language. This book is appropriate for grades 8-12,
C.Appropriate for a science curriculum introducing oceanography and the scientific techniques used to analyze ocean currents. Also, appropriate for a social studies or technology education curriculum addressing the environment effects of using plastic products.
Author: Loree Griffin Burns
Genre: Informational
Summary: Provides an awareness of amount of plastic garbage in our oceans, its origins, effects and possible solutions.
A.The content of this story is addressed in this critique
B.The issue of the pollution of the ocean with plastic and other trash is presented in an understandable story-like manner that will not overwhelm young readers. Oceanographic terminology is effectively introduced and described. For example, (pg. 29) a scientific but understandable description of plankton and its effects on ocean currents is described in simple terms. Scientific techniques used to analyze and predict ocean currents using a computer program called the Ocean Surface CURent Simulator (OSCURS) (pg. 13) are also clearly explained. In addition, young readers can understand the plastic waste affects sea animals and how it is broken down and enters the food chain. The illustrations show ocean animals caught in fishing nets, which can illicit emotional reactions. However, the emotional content is simmered by the matter of fact presentation of the facts in everyday language. This book is appropriate for grades 8-12,
C.Appropriate for a science curriculum introducing oceanography and the scientific techniques used to analyze ocean currents. Also, appropriate for a social studies or technology education curriculum addressing the environment effects of using plastic products.
October 23, 2018
Summary: Tracking Trash is a engaging book that takes kids into the oceanography world. Students get to explore how scientist research the currents and movement of the ocean through sneakers and bath toys. The book also discusses how scientist are working to protect our oceans and gives ways that kids can do this too!
Review: This book captivates the attention by using things students would enjoy hearing about to discuss science topics. The book is full of great information. The pictures are vibrant. The book has a helpful glossary for students. There are great qualities to the book that make it a good nonfiction.
Teaching Idea: This book would be used for science. I would use this book to get students to see what scientist get to do. This also helps to introduce the power of protecting our oceans through reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Review: This book captivates the attention by using things students would enjoy hearing about to discuss science topics. The book is full of great information. The pictures are vibrant. The book has a helpful glossary for students. There are great qualities to the book that make it a good nonfiction.
Teaching Idea: This book would be used for science. I would use this book to get students to see what scientist get to do. This also helps to introduce the power of protecting our oceans through reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Read
December 10, 2012The book I read was Tracking trash by Loree Griffin Burns. It is about a scientist who finds out about a cargo spill… the first Nike sneaker washed up on the coast of Washington, no one really seemed to mind it at all but then when tens of hundreds more started making their way to shore Curt Ebbesmeyer found they were all coming from a giant cargo spill in the Pacific Ocean. There were some really interesting things like rubber ducks that came some thousands of miles from the Pacific Ocean across the Arctic and into the Atlantic which is a huge journey for only little rubber ducks. So the Scientist along with other people and scientists decide to look into the whole scenario.
I think the Authors purpose is to bring awareness to what was going on in the Ocean. And to the Cargo spill. Ebbesmeyer was trying to bring attention to how the Ocean should be treated. Especially how this was hurting the Marine life and how it could kill the animals. So, basically the author is pointing out how we should open our eyes and realize that the things we do could be hurting our planet or the animals that live on it.
In my opinion this book was interesting and I would recommend it to people who want to learn a little more about the planet of ocean life and how we can help. For me personally I got a little bored but it was still good information. Also it gave me some useful information on how we can help the marine life by being careful of what we put into the Ocean.
I think the Authors purpose is to bring awareness to what was going on in the Ocean. And to the Cargo spill. Ebbesmeyer was trying to bring attention to how the Ocean should be treated. Especially how this was hurting the Marine life and how it could kill the animals. So, basically the author is pointing out how we should open our eyes and realize that the things we do could be hurting our planet or the animals that live on it.
In my opinion this book was interesting and I would recommend it to people who want to learn a little more about the planet of ocean life and how we can help. For me personally I got a little bored but it was still good information. Also it gave me some useful information on how we can help the marine life by being careful of what we put into the Ocean.
Read
February 12, 2015Have you ever seen a log or trash floating in a river or the ocean? Where do you think it ends up? In our story Here Comes the Garbage Barge, what would have happened if Cap’m Duffy St. Pierre would have dumped his garbage barge of trash into the ocean? Would it all sink to the bottom? Would it float around forever? This is the book we are going to read today (hold up so everyone can see the cover). Based on the title, Tracking Trash, what do you think this is going to be about? Does it look like non-fiction (true) or fiction (made up)? Let’s take a look at the Table of Contents, Index, and Glossary to see if there are any clues. (show the Table of Contents, Glossary and Index).
*Opening moves
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Raise questions in the readers minds
-Draw attention to readers’ tools such as charts, maps, diagrams, index
-Remind children of genre comparisons
*Rationale:
I selected Tracking Trash as a non-fiction, fact-finding book because it isn’t too heavy handed like some of them are. It also ties in many other science/social studies topics such as maps, tides/wave, currents, and sea life. I’m not sure I would read it in its entirety as parts of it do get more technical and wordy. That would depend on the group of kids I had. It ties in nicely with my other selections based on the theme of Earth Day/recycling/ environment preservation.
*Opening moves
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Raise questions in the readers minds
-Draw attention to readers’ tools such as charts, maps, diagrams, index
-Remind children of genre comparisons
*Rationale:
I selected Tracking Trash as a non-fiction, fact-finding book because it isn’t too heavy handed like some of them are. It also ties in many other science/social studies topics such as maps, tides/wave, currents, and sea life. I’m not sure I would read it in its entirety as parts of it do get more technical and wordy. That would depend on the group of kids I had. It ties in nicely with my other selections based on the theme of Earth Day/recycling/ environment preservation.
November 19, 2015
Tracking trash by Loree Burns is an excellent book for ages 12 and up. This book portrays the work of Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, beachcombers, and oceanographers in tracking trash in the name of science. The book exposes readers to the ramifications of trash circulating through the Pacific Ocean and introduces readers to the science of ocean motion. Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer is on a hunt to track trash in the name of science. He takes the readers on a seafaring adventure to encounter and see the unbelieve amount of items found in the water. Curtis Ebbesmeyer conducted ocean drifts experiments by tracking everything from rubber ducks and other bath toys to Nike sneakers that have drifted thousands of miles from the Pacific Ocean, across the Artic and into the Atlantic. However, Curtis collects more than basic information about the Ocean motion, it is much more than that. He analyzes and uses his data with the scientific community, oceanographers, and beachcombers to preserve delicate marine habitats and our world ocean. This book has a designer illustrations by using images, drawings, and images that look 3D. Overall, this is an important book to show to any juvenile children. It is a great way to learn about why it is important to protect our ocean, wildlife and ourselves from non-recyclable trash.
June 10, 2024
The first three chapters are fabulous and full of interesting things to learn about the ocean. The maps and graphics are especially helpful. Focusing on sneakers and tub toys is a great way to capture attention. What child at the ocean has not gone beachcombing and wondered where things came from? The last two chapters point out the harmful consequences of having plastic trash and lost fish nets in the sea and what researchers are doing about it. Readers are encouraged to practice the three R’s (reduce, recycle, reuse). They left out an important piece of information for young readers. Most of the trash comes from rivers in Asia due to poor waste management practices. Yes, what we do impacts the beauty of our beaches and marine life. Leaving out that information could cause a young reader to do things that does not help the problem they want to solve.
I thought of some wonderful rabbit trails that nurture curiosity and wonder. I found a long video of a coral reef that could be used as nature study. I also learned about a recently mapped out a deep-sea coral reef off the Southeast coast of the USA on the Blake Plateau. I also find a NOAA link with initiatives for different areas in the USA. In my state (SC), that means making sure you remove your crab trap before you leave for there is a derelict crap trap program.
I thought of some wonderful rabbit trails that nurture curiosity and wonder. I found a long video of a coral reef that could be used as nature study. I also learned about a recently mapped out a deep-sea coral reef off the Southeast coast of the USA on the Blake Plateau. I also find a NOAA link with initiatives for different areas in the USA. In my state (SC), that means making sure you remove your crab trap before you leave for there is a derelict crap trap program.
November 17, 2010
Personally, I did not really like Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. Judging by the cover and title, I thought it was going to be a lot more about going green, recycling, pollution, and trash, rather than ocean currents and understanding patterns of the ocean. The book begins with an Oceanographer, Dr. Ebbesmeyer tracking the patterns of man made items through the ocean. Ebbesmeyer follows things that have fallen off of cargo ships that are traveling through the ocean, destroying marine life. The sceintists in the book use different techniques to find the reasoning behind and prevention for ocean pollution. These steps are shown through big and bright pictures, charts, and graphs. They aided the reader in understanding each piece of the experiment, but made the book seem a lot like a text book. This book would be great to use as a resource in an environment or under the sea classroom theme. It could be made available for upper elementary children in the school or classroom library. It would also be useful in completing a project or poster on the subject. Overall, it was interesting to read but I can see it being difficult for children to keep their attention on this one.
October 2, 2018
Summary: Dr. Curt Ebbesmeyer tracks trash that has been spilled in the ocean. The Nike shoes and plastic bath toys became a way for Ebbesmeyer and his team to study ocean currents. They learned how the currents change over time. The story progresses to the discussion of what people can do to eliminate pollution that makes it into the water, and what harm this pollution can do to the animals and their habitats.
Evaluation: I like how this Nonfiction book follows a story instead of just stating facts about ocean currents and the trash found in them. Having a lot of visuals, such as maps and pictures of artifacts, the reader will be able to engage and better understand Ebbesmeyer. This book would be best suited for older elementary students. This book will definitely get you thinking about if your debris ends up in a safe place for the environment or not.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book as a part of a text set for a science unit based on learning about the ocean. The broken-down explanations of the scientific terms that relate to ocean currents will lead to better student understanding. Students can also discuss how they think items in the classroom may float (or sink) and travel through the ocean currents.
Evaluation: I like how this Nonfiction book follows a story instead of just stating facts about ocean currents and the trash found in them. Having a lot of visuals, such as maps and pictures of artifacts, the reader will be able to engage and better understand Ebbesmeyer. This book would be best suited for older elementary students. This book will definitely get you thinking about if your debris ends up in a safe place for the environment or not.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book as a part of a text set for a science unit based on learning about the ocean. The broken-down explanations of the scientific terms that relate to ocean currents will lead to better student understanding. Students can also discuss how they think items in the classroom may float (or sink) and travel through the ocean currents.
October 9, 2018
Summary:
Tracking Trash is a story that follows the work of Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer and his study of ocean currents and the patterns of man made debris in the ocean. He finds shoes, toys and many other items of debris, and uses them to track the change in currents throughout the ocean. He uses this information in order to deeply understand and protect the ocean and animals who live in it. The book then shares effects that humans have on the ocean and ways to eliminate this damage.
Reflection:
This nonfiction book is told as a story rather than in a factual way, making it more interesting and easier for the reader to follow. The images are very detailed and help to give the reader a clear understanding of the concept through maps and pictures. Along with providing important information, this book also inspires readers to make a difference in taking care of the ocean.
Lesson:
This book can be read aloud by the teacher and used in teaching a lesson or unit about the ocean. It can be used to discuss animals in the ocean and their struggles to survive or simply pollution in the ocean and ways to decrease it. The activity could be extended to allow students to share other ways to protect the ocean and environment.
Tracking Trash is a story that follows the work of Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer and his study of ocean currents and the patterns of man made debris in the ocean. He finds shoes, toys and many other items of debris, and uses them to track the change in currents throughout the ocean. He uses this information in order to deeply understand and protect the ocean and animals who live in it. The book then shares effects that humans have on the ocean and ways to eliminate this damage.
Reflection:
This nonfiction book is told as a story rather than in a factual way, making it more interesting and easier for the reader to follow. The images are very detailed and help to give the reader a clear understanding of the concept through maps and pictures. Along with providing important information, this book also inspires readers to make a difference in taking care of the ocean.
Lesson:
This book can be read aloud by the teacher and used in teaching a lesson or unit about the ocean. It can be used to discuss animals in the ocean and their struggles to survive or simply pollution in the ocean and ways to decrease it. The activity could be extended to allow students to share other ways to protect the ocean and environment.
April 3, 2008
Tracking Trash is about ocean currents, yes. But the cool thing is how these particular oceanographers study ocean currents. For Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, his studies started with a sneaker. Well, a case of sneakers. A case of sneakers that fell off a ship during a storm and began washing up on beaches from Alaska to northern California. What currents brought those shoes to rest on shore? What paths did they take? Why did some of them go north and some go south?
By studying the effects of accidents like this one, scientists are learning more and more about the patterns of the ocean. Maybe someday this can help us clean up the sea. You see, some trash washes up on the shore. Other trash floats around in the middle of the ocean, sometimes creating giant islands of trash. Much of this trash is plastic and that's a big problem because plastic will break into smaller pieces, but it will never break down completely.
This is another great book to use for Earth Day or any day. An interesting science book that will appeal to reluctant readers because it's so unusual. No wonder it was a finalist for a Cybil!
By studying the effects of accidents like this one, scientists are learning more and more about the patterns of the ocean. Maybe someday this can help us clean up the sea. You see, some trash washes up on the shore. Other trash floats around in the middle of the ocean, sometimes creating giant islands of trash. Much of this trash is plastic and that's a big problem because plastic will break into smaller pieces, but it will never break down completely.
This is another great book to use for Earth Day or any day. An interesting science book that will appeal to reluctant readers because it's so unusual. No wonder it was a finalist for a Cybil!
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