Reviews for Mysterious bones %3A the story of Kennewick Man
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
The discovery of the titular ninety-five-hundred-year-old skeleton led to important findings about human migration but also sparked a legal battle and ignited conflict with Native Americans. Kirkpatrick sensitively delves into concepts of race and ancestry alongside thoughtful discussions of what we can learn about peoples' lives through study of their bones. Detailed color illustrations portray the skeleton and related artifacts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Unlike Piltdown Man or Nebraska Man, Kennewick Man was the real, hoary deal, and Kirkpatrick here introduces him to young readers.He was found in remarkable condition near the Columbia River in Washington just 15 years ago, in 1996one of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in America. Kirkpatrick first addresses the controversy surrounding the treatment of his remains. How to balance the benefits to knowledge the skeleton might reveal while also respecting customs and traditions that are at odds with tampering with ancestral bones? It took nine years in the courtroom before a judge decided Kennewick's bones could be tested; it was deemed that he was not a direct ancestor of any modern group. The author handles the other side of the story with equally unhurried thoughtfulness: what Kennewick Man tells us about himself. His mysteries are slowly uncoveredwhat he ate, why there was a spearhead lodged in his hip bone and what about that dent in his forehead, the nature of his landscape and lifestyle. There are plenty of questions left unanswered, like, who was this stranger? Polynesian or Ainnu or Jomon or...? How did he get here? Excellent illustrations accompany the story, with crisp line-drawings of tools, skeletons, maps and possible facial reconstructions.A thoroughgoing but sprightly biography of a fascinating outlander in our midst. (glossary, timeline, bibliography, notes, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gr 6-9-The discovery in 1996 of a 9500-year-old, nearly complete skeleton set in motion a nine-year legal battle between forensic anthropologists and the Native American community. Source notes, informative sidebars, maps, and clear color photos and paintings support this engrossing study that poses important questions about cultural identity and responsibility. (July) (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Slogging through muddy marshland, a college student discovered a human skull in Kennewick, Washington, in 1996. A nearly complete skeleton was unearthed and determined to be 9,500 years old. Since Native American remains are protected by law and turned over to an appropriate tribe for burial, a legal battle ensued over whether the bones could be studied further. Kirkpatrick traces the work of anthropologists, explains the court cases, and explores Kennewick Man's possible culture. Stevenson's excellent gouache artwork includes clearly delineated illustrations and clear maps. The informative back matter features a glossary, a time line, a selected bibliography, and source notes with commentary. When Kirkpatrick focuses on the scientists' work, the text is fascinating. Even the complex court cases are clearly explained. With its riveting opening scene, clearly written sections on archaeology, and discussions of moral and legal controversies surrounding the treatment of ancient human remains, this thoroughly researched book is well worth reading.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gr 6-9-This carefully researched, gracefully written, attractively formatted book explores the discovery of the 9000-year-old Paleoindian whose nearly complete skeletal remains caused an uproar in both scientific and Native American circles. Accompanied by superb gouache paintings done in warm ambers and golds with accents of black, the lucid text recounts the struggle of scientists to handle the bones and run specific DNA and carbon-dating experiments on them, all the while facing the outrage of Native American tribal groups envisioning another exploitation of ancestral remains. Lawsuits were set in motion under the auspices of the Native American Graves Protection and Reparation Act (NAGPRA) and the opposing sides battled for years before the scientists were given a moderate go-ahead to approach the bones in a monitored, respectful manner. Kirkpatrick's measured tones record the early findings preceding the lawsuits and speculates on what the recent testing might reveal, also presenting data from other Paleoindian discoveries. Stevenson's carefully detailed drawings echo the warmth of the dust jacket and keep perfect step with the informative pattern. Pair this title with Patricia Lauber's Who Came First?: New Clues to Prehistoric Americans (National Geographic, 2003) to fuel fascinating discussions on the prehistoric settlement of the Americas. A sterling work of scholarly quality.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
