Urban Coyotes [Scientists in the Field]
by Mary Kay Carson; photos by Tom Uhlman
Intermediate, Middle School    Clarion/HarperCollins    80 pp.
8/24    9780063271470    $21.99
e-book ed.  9780063271494    $10.99

No matter where one lives in the continental U.S.—rural areas, suburbs, major cities—coyotes share that space. In Chicago alone, thousands of coyotes live and thrive, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project, whose work is presented in this informative book. Carson’s engaging text highlights the project’s goals, which include determining where coyotes live, what they eat, and how they can best coexist with humans. Project members tag and track coyotes and gather data ranging from DNA samples to the condition of their nails (which indicates travel on concrete surfaces)—tasks that require patience, skill, and some luck. Uhlman’s compelling photographs show researchers at work as well as glimpses of coyotes in their natural habitats. Maps and charts group data into easy-to-decipher graphics. Conclusions, such as the role coyotes play in regulating the rodent and geese populations, are all based on the collected data. The book provides information on non-lethal animal-hazing practices and ways to coexist with these unusual neighbors. Appended with a glossary, a list of sources, and areas for further inquiry.

From the ">November/December 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.