EXTREME SCIENTISTS

Scientific fieldwork takes Paul Flaherty, Hazel Barton and Steve Sillett to dangerous heights and depths in this latest entry in the Scientists in the Field series, which presents three biographies connected by their format. In turn Jackson introduces the researchers, alludes to their childhood scientific interest (including a snapshot of the budding scientist in earlier years) and training and focuses on their dangerous work today. Meteorologist Flaherty serves as flight director for planes venturing into the eyes of tropical storms. Microbiologist Barton collects her specimens in caves under land and glacial ice crevasses. Botanist Sillett explores tree canopies, especially in redwood forests. Readers will encounter fascinating facts about weather forecasting, cave bacteria and fungi and life in the treetops. Each section ends with a series of quick questions to these courageous scientists. The index would be more useful if all the pages were numbered. Though this lacks the sparkle of some earlier titles in this consistently interesting series, the subject is bound to appeal to middle-school extremophiles. (further explorations, glossary, sources) (Nonfiction. 10-14)