Death eaters: MEET NATURE'S SCAVENGERS -- Coming October 2018!
In talking about Bigfoot is typical for me. I've written two books featuring the big guy -- so far. In talking about the mysterious creature, I explain that proof will only come by way of finding a body, and no such corpse has ever been found. Then I explain the efficiency of our planet's ecosystem. When an animal dies, the death eaters clean up the mess.
That discussion inspired my book -- DEATH EATER: MEET NATURE'S SCAVENGERS (Millbrook/Lerner 2018). And it walks young readers 8 to 12 through the remarkable process of recycling bodies after life has run its course -- on dry land and in watery places, including the Pacific ocean.
It's been such a fascinating study -- beyond interesting, from A to Z. It's a little bit gross, I know. But it's also a whole lot of amazing. Hope you'll think so, too!
That discussion inspired my book -- DEATH EATER: MEET NATURE'S SCAVENGERS (Millbrook/Lerner 2018). And it walks young readers 8 to 12 through the remarkable process of recycling bodies after life has run its course -- on dry land and in watery places, including the Pacific ocean.
It's been such a fascinating study -- beyond interesting, from A to Z. It's a little bit gross, I know. But it's also a whole lot of amazing. Hope you'll think so, too!
Book Reviews and honors
Middle Grade Non-Fiction Winner Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers
by Kelly Milner Halls
Millbrook Press
Nominated by: Mrs. Shh
With a title that makes an immediate connection to the iconic Harry Potter series, Death Eaters is sure to grab middle grade readers, whether or not they enjoy the gross side of science. This is a fascinating and compassionate look at death, the cycle of life, and decomposition. Halls addresses the science of decomposition – what happens to skin, blood, and the body after death? – and then jumps right into a description of the various creatures involved in the breakdown of the body. Beginning with blowflies and other bugs and moving on to mammalian creatures (yes, humans are included) Halls covers a wide range of sometimes surprising links in the decomposition cycle. The author takes readers beyond the the grave to explore the effect of humans on the environment, specifically when they kill or alter the habits of vital creatures in the decomposition cycle. Halls concludes the book with a thoughtful memory from her youth and a reflection on the sometimes scary and gross, but always interesting processes of death. Source notes, glossary, bibliography, further reading, and photo acknowledgements are also included. While not the most savory of topics, this is an important subject both in science and life. Kids who are exploring science need to see the sometimes gross and scary side as well as the cute animals and exciting experiments and realize how seemingly small changes, like eliminating apparently useless creatures such as vultures, can have a huge impact on the world.
http://www.cybils.com/2019/02/2018-cybils-winners.html
Junior Library Guild Selection
https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9781512482003J
August 11, 2018
Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kelly-milner-halls/death-eaters/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=DSA&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj9LkBRDnARIsAGQ-hUfzj4M1qRHENwB3Ueqi674IhEU5NjJT-_spQ2vH4CxVNnkNfrAVT6UaAn9QEALw_wcB
DEATH EATERS
Meet Nature's Scavengers
Author: Kelly Milner Halls
Review Issue Date: July 15, 2018
Online Publish Date: June 25, 2018
Publisher:Millbrook/Lerner
Pages: 44
Price ( Library Ed ): $33.32
Publication Date: August 1, 2018
ISBN ( Library Ed ): 978-1-5124-8200-3
Category: Informational
Carrion (not soul) eaters crawl, trot, swim, fly, and…drive into the spotlight. After breaking down the stages of decomposition (which do "not smell good"), Halls dishes up profiles of some of nature's recyclers—from blowfly larvae ("born to eat") and the culinarily "versatile" pill bug to vultures, crabs, and human motorists. ("Why let the meat go to waste?" says a Washington state fish and wildlife official pragmatically about harvesting roadkill.) Along with dissecting decomposition's usual course, the author offers piquant research findings, such as the surprisingly divergent fates of pig corpses planted on the seabed in well- and less-well-oxygenated waters as well as recently discovered evidence that T. Rex was a hunter as well as a scavenger. The relegation of the fullest mentions of bacteria and fungi to the end conveys a misleading impression that their work doesn't begin until the bigger dogs (etc.) have had their fills, but the course of all deceased animals from corpse to scattered chemicals is otherwise clearly charted. Big, bright color photos of, for instance, salmon being torn apart by a bald eagle and a raccoon chowing down on a dead squirrel add further zest to these easily digestible observations. "Gross," to echo the author, but "also amazing." (index, further reading) (Nonfiction. 7-10)
October 1, 2018
Booklist
https://www.booklistonline.com/Death-Eaters/pid=9665140?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers.
By Kelly Milner Halls
Oct. 2018. 40p. illus. Lerner/Millbrook, lib. ed., $33.32 (9781512482003). Gr. 3–6. 591.7
Halls enthusiastically breaks down the decomposition process in this systematic look at scavengers. Her introduction establishes death as a necessary part of the life cycle, declaring, “Sure, it’s gross, but it is also amazing.” Her sense of wonder permeates the text, which strikes an admirable bCaralance between putrescent and matter-of-fact details. After outlining the five stages of vertebrate decomposition, Hall devotes chapters to general categories of scavengers and decomposers (insects, mammals, birds, and marine critters) in the basic order in which they arrive at a carcass. The book’s clean layout features well-chosen and positioned photos, diagrams, and fact boxes that make even gruesome information easy to digest. Flies and flesh-eating maggots get the ball rolling, followed by opportunistic eaters, such as raccoons, hyenas, and even bears. Avian appetites are triggered next, allowing seagulls, crows, and vultures to swoop in. A quick dip into the sea reveals a clean-up crew of crustaceans and bone-eating worms. By providing context and a big-picture approach to death, Hall equips young readers with understanding from which comfort and awe can grow.
— Julia Smith
October 1, 2018
School Library Journal
https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=death-eaters-meet-natures-scavengers
HALLS, Kelly Milner. Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers. 40p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. notes. photos. websites. Millbrook. Oct. 2018. Tr $33.32. ISBN 9781512482003.
Gr 4-7–Readers who enjoy the gross side of life (and death) will find this title to their liking. Halls begins with the death of a wild boar, and describes what and how the process of decomposition takes place. One chapter describes creepy-crawly creatures, such as blowflies, maggots, roly-polys, burying beetles, and meat ants. Furry animals, such as squirrels, skunks, and raccoons, hunt for their food, but are also willing to enjoy a free carrion meal. Halls also explains how various sea creatures help remove dead matter form the oceans. The author briefly describes “sky burials,” which often take place in the mountains of Mongolia and Tibet in which a human corpse is offered to the vultures of the Larung Valley. (Family is permitted to observe the ritual, but tourists are not.) Burial at sea is also mentioned. Color photos of excellent quality vary in size, including full-page. Some captions are enlightening, while others repeat information already found in the longer narrative. White print in red boxes adds a great deal to the informative text. VERDICT Though there may be many “oohs” and “yucks” from readers, this may well be a popular title. A top purchase for robust collections.–Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS
October 1, 2018
Sharon the Librarian
https://sstwriting.blogspot.com/2018/10/book-review-death-eaters-meet-natures.html?m=0
Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls is a middle grade nonfiction book that gives an in depth look at decomposition. Many animals eat the dead. In fact, these creatures make up Earth’s most important cleanup crew. As a vital part of nature’s circle of life, scavengers feed on the bodies of the dead to keep our planet free from death’s debris. These death eaters come in all sizes—from tiny flies to massive bears and sharks! Meet more creatures who live by eating the dead in this up-close look at nature’s death eaters.
Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers might not be the most cheerful read, but the subject matter is fascinating, important, and hopeful in its own way. I thought I had a good grasp of that happens in decomposition, and what animals were hunters or scavengers. I was mostly right, but learned a few things that really surprised me about what certain insects and animals will eat. I found the book to be well written and organized, it is interesting and gives a matter of fact look at the way nature finds a purpose for everything. While death might be an end, it is also a source of life for other creatures, which carries some hope and light in its own way. The read was fascinating, and I look forward to following up on some of the sources cited and suggestions for further reading.
Four Stars – A Great Book!
October 4, 2018
Carla Loves to Read
https://carlalovestoread.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/2383/
4.5 Stars Out of 5
When I saw the cover of this book, I thought it would be a good one for boys. I am always looking for ways to entice boys to read and what better way than animals that eat dead stuff. Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls is a middle grade nonfiction book that shows a lot about decomposition and the many animals that assist with that.
This book is not a fun read, but the subject matter is fascinating and important. Death eaters come in all shapes and sizes, live on land, in the air and in the sea. I knew about some of them, but not all. Everyone has probably seen maggots and vultures, but I did not realize that raccoons also ate the dead. I found this book to be well written and organized. The text will be difficult for younger readers, but middle grades should be all right with it. I like how this book not only shows and tells about decomposition, but how that is helpful to other life. The ending anecdote from the author finding a dead kitten, shows children that as much as death is sad, there can be meaning in that death. The photos in the book are quite good and give some up close pictures of various death eaters. There is also a good glossary and resources at the book for further investigation. This is a good book for schools and classrooms, especially when studying animals, life cycles, habitats etc.
The publisher, Millbrook Press, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, opinions and ideas are my own.
November 7, 2018
Bayviews
https://www.bayviews.org/review/death-eaters-meet-natures-scavengers-review/
Halls, Kelly Milner. Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers. Non-fiction.Millbrook, 10/2018. 40pp. $33.32.978-1-5124-8200-3.OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-7.
Without death eaters, the nutrient-starved Earth would be awash in four billion years’ worth of corpses. In five well-organized chapters, lavishly accompanied by color photographs, sidebars, and diagrams, Halls explores the incredibly efficient ecosystem of insects, mammals, birds, aquatic life, and fungi that recycle the dead. There is lots to digest in the gross, amazing, and intriguing information. How can a beetle bury something hundreds of times its size? Was the T-Rex a predator or a scavenger? What cute woodland creatures have a taste for flesh? Back matter includes an index, source notes, a glossary, a bibliography, further reading, and photo acknowledgments.
Melissa McAvoy, Live Oak School
November 22, 2019
Nonfiction Detectives
http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/2018/11/death-eaters-meet-natures-scavengers-by.html
Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Decomposers
by Kelly Milner Halls
Millbrook Press. 2018
For science lovers of all ages
Nature is the great recycler. In Death Eaters, we get a front row seat to watch those creatures whose role it is to eat the dead. Milner kicks off this fascinating narrative nonfiction with the “Five Stages of Decomposition: Step 1: Fresh; Step 2: Bloat; Step 3: Active Decay; Step 4: Advanced Decay; Step 5: Dry Remains.
Death Eaters are insects, mammals, birds, and, when life ends in the ocean, crustaceans, sharks, bone-eating worms to bacteria and fungi. “Bacteria and fungi break down the dead through biochemical reactions, and these reactions release nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen back into the ecosystem.”
Science is seamlessly woven into the narrative. Side bars further explain concepts and detailed color photographs, showing the animals in action, enhance the text.
Back matter includes source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, further reading of books, websites and videos, and an index. In her conclusion, Milner Halls explains how she became fascinated with “those animals that live by eating the dead.”
Hand this book to anyone interested in science, especially decomposition. And reassure them, like Milner’s father reassured her, “Never be ashamed of wondering.”
November 30,2018
A Mom’s Spare Time
http://amomssparetime.blogspot.com/2018/11/
No, no, not the kind that try to suck out your soul when you are running through a culvert with your cousin Dudley. The kind we WANT to have around, to clean things up!
What happens to the bodies of animals and humans after death? Nature's army of death eaters steps in to take care of clean up. Without these masters of decomposition, our planet would be covered in rotting bodies. This high-interest science text dives into the science behind how bodies decompose.
The illustrations found inside are, naturally, not for the tender-hearted: the very first is a field of dead reindeer. One would think, however, that the title and cover would be sufficient warning to ward off complaints! I found the photographs to be a good balance of realism, without sensationalism. As the introduction says, "Sure, it's gross, but it's also amazing."
The text of the book is very conversational, with the first page containing as many questions as it does statements. Chapter one starts with a short story of a boar peacefully dying of old age. Then we go into the five stages of decomposition. Did you know there were five? Neither did I!
Living in the forest, we often have deceased animals in the area. My kids love to bring bones home when they stumble upon them. We are well aware that the body doesn't immediately turn to dry, bleached skeleton however, particularly in the case of the elk that expired not too far from our driveway. Now that was a smell to get the whole family from the car to the house quickly! Also guaranteed to keep door to door salesmen away.
Because of our location, the kids have been able to observe predators and scavengers of varying sizes, from mountain lions down to maggots, reducing corpses to bone. In this book, we learn that the very first stage of decomposition actually initiates within the animal's body itself, as enzymes - chemical substances too small for us to see - start breaking down the body from the inside! I have to agree: that is pretty amazing!
Each step of the process is explained clearly, so even non-scientifically-minded readers like myself can easily understand them. Succeeding chapters then cover different groups of scavengers: creepy crawly, furry, avian or sea-going death eaters. Readers learn how each animal is specially adapted to take its part in the chain, and you can't help but come away with a sense of amazement at how intricately everything works together. (And, the Osedax? Why aren't there books about that tiny creature???) Side bars explain things like why dead skin looks different, or the dangers of lead ammunition.
A final conclusion by the author offers a personal note about the comfort that understanding the life cycle can bring. There is an extensive set of source notes, glossary, bibliography and further reading, as well as a good index.
Overall, a very well-put-together book that will probably not stay on your shelves very long! Let reluctant readers pick it up for the title and cover, and watch them become engrossed! Highly recommended!
December 18, 2018
Jean Little Library
ttp://jeanlittlelibrary.blogspot.com/2018/12/death-eaters-meet-natures-scavengers-by.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JeanLittleLibrary+%28Jean+Little+Library%29
Ok, I understand that not everyone will want to read further after seeing that cover, but this is a truly fascinating and compassionate look at death, the cycle of life, and decomposition. Halls addresses the science of decomposition—what happens to skin, blood and the body after death—and then jumps right into a description of various creatures involved in the breakdown of the body. First are blowflies, whose life cycle includes maggots and other bugs (did you know roly-polies eat dead bodies as well as dead plants? I did not!). The next chapter focuses on furry or mammalian death eaters—racoons, skunks, wolves and yes, humans. There are also additional sections on research regarding dinosaurs as well as modern day reptiles like monitor lizards.
The next chapter features scavengers we’re all familiar with—crows and vultures—and some not-so-familiar death eaters like the bald eagle and seagulls. This chapter also delves into how humans have changed the environment, and not for the better, by killing or otherwise altering the habits of these creatures. Next we visit a whole different scene of death—the ocean. Who—or what—eats dead creatures in the ocean? Is being buried at sea a more environmentally conscious choice? Hat happens to bones in the ocean?
Halls concludes the book with a thoughtful memory from her youth and a reflection on the sometimes scary and gross but always interesting processes of death. Source notes, glossary, bibliography, futher reading and photo acknowledgements are also included.
Verdict: While not a topic frequently seen, this is an important subject both in science and ife. Kids who are exploring science need to see the sometimes gross and scary side as well as the cute animals and exciting experiments, and realize how seemingly small changes, like eliminating apparently useless creatures like vultures, can hve a huge impact on the world. Recommended (but not for the weak of stomach).
ISBN: 9781512482003; Published August 2018 by Millbrook.
January 2019
Seattle Book Review
https://seattlebookreview.com/product/death-eaters-meet-natures-scavengers/
Youngsters are curious about everything, and what happens after death is no exception. Fortunately for kids and the rest of us, Kelly Milner Halls has a new book that explains what happens to creatures after they die. Decomposition is not a fun subject, but Halls makes it a fascinating one, and she doesn’t pull punches about the process. Yes, it is often gross, but science is not always tidy. It usually starts with blowflies—a creature that lives for dead meat. They move in through “wet access” such as eyes or ears or open wounds and lay their eggs in the flesh which begins the process of decomposition; their eggs rapidly become larva (maggots). Rodents and other mammals join the fray as do birds and even fungi. In the water, crustaceans, fish, worms, and other creatures and plants take on the job. These misunderstood creatures help keep the earth and bodies of water clean. Without them, we would have a mess on our hands. Halls’s snappy writing along with her in-depth research and excellent storytelling technique makes this a book that will fascinate anyone lucky enough to get their hands on it.
Reviewed By: Rosi Hollinbeck
January 18, 2019
Prose an Kahn
http://proseandkahn.blogspot.com/2019/01/fact-friday-death-eaters-meet-natures.html
Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls, 40 p. Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group, August 2018. 9781512482003. Review of purchased finished copy.
If the title doesn’t lure readers, the enticingly repulsive cover is nearly impossible to resist. This informative volume will provide your fact hounds with everything they want to know about the science of decomposition and the animals that help the process and thrive on it. I never knew that sea gulls ease in finding garbage to eat at waterways have impacted their role as scavengers. Also surprising was the ripple effect caused by India trying to eradicate vultures resulting in a spike in the population of feral dogs. I think I’d prefer the vultures. Ever since learning about Bio-urns, I have wanted an eco-friendly burial. Now I want to be buried at sea. Definitely looking into that.
Conversational in tone, the fascinating text is accompanied by equally fascinating full-color photos served with a side of gross. Backmatter includes a glossary, source notes, books, websites and videos for further reading and an index.
Display this prominently and it won’t sit! A delightful addition to the STEM collection.
This cool graphic is NOT from my book. It's from Pinterest page that's a little to graphic to share here. If you know who produced this fantastic image, let me know so I can ask permission to use it and share attribution. It's fntastic!
Shhhh! I'm not supposed to share this yet because it's not decided. But this was my favorite of six choices the art department came up with. They are brilliant, so whatever cover they select will be swell. But this makes me feel so excited! Can't wait for October of 2018.
