About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with being misunderstood or when they are ready to challenge the status quo of 'popular opinion.' This immersive nonfiction work follows Kay Holekamp's research in Kenya to debunk the myth that hyenas are cowardly scavengers, revealing them instead as brilliant, social, and matriarchal leaders. It speaks deeply to themes of justice and curiosity, showing how data can overturn long-held prejudices. It is a sophisticated, visually stunning choice for middle-grade readers who are beginning to appreciate the nuance of the natural world and the rigor of scientific life. You might choose it to inspire a budding scientist or to help a child see that first impressions are often wrong.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with the realities of nature directly and secularly. There are mentions of predators hunting, territorial disputes, and the biological functions of animals (including the unique anatomy of female hyenas). The tone is objective and respectful of the cycle of life.
