Is there something in the water? Sibert Award-winning author Candace Fleming (Honeybee; The Enigma Girls) teaches readers the foundational skills for conducting a thorough and proper investigation in the engrossing, wholly accessible middle-grade nonfiction Is It Real?: The Loch Ness Monster.
"You are an investigator for the Black Swan Scientific Investigation (BSSI) team. Your job is to unravel--if you can--the natural world's greatest mysteries." Beginning with the first sightings in April 1933, Fleming takes readers step-by-step through the evidence for and against the existence of the legendary Loch Ness Monster of Scotland. After presenting the decades of accounts and corroboration, Fleming helps readers analyze the material, educating about types of evidence (direct vs. circumstantial) and standard investigation practices. Moving from definitions and concepts, readers are given "sample" cases and then encouraged to apply their learnings to the Loch Ness evidence. As readers reach the end of their investigations and form their own conclusions, Fleming brings them up to speed on more recent developments, including current theories--"Could Nessie sightings have actually been sightings of eels that had grown to an extreme size?"--and sightings as recent as 2024.
While Is It Real? explores an unconfirmed creature's existence, the scientific investigation principles are sound (and backmatter includes a bibliography and source notes). Fleming addresses readers directly, using the second-person narrative, which lends an intimate teacher/student feel to the text--readers can reach their own conclusions and Fleming never insists on her own view or suggests a correct answer. This is a rare title that should excite young science enthusiasts and paranormal fans alike. --Kyla Paterno, freelance reviewer