Bugs in Danger: Our Vanishing Bees, Butterflies, and Beetles by Mark Kurlansky is this years Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill by Heather L. Montgomery for me. This is not because it has a similar theme nor is nearly as humorous as Montgomery’s book. But it does take a subject (bugs) that I have no interest in and made it interesting. I think buggies are cool, but I had no real interests in learning about them. But I liked the book cover. I figured I would skim it. And while there are scientific facts about class and such, it is more than that.
It did take me a few days as it is non-fiction and while not dry, it was borderline in places. Therefore, the more reluctant reader or readers under 10 might not be able to get into it. And one of the things that kept it from becoming totally bland facts was that it tied in how bugs and humans interact in environmental settings. And Jia Liu could have added more illustrations to break up the text (though I am sure that was not their decision).
There is some repetition to the facts and information, but overall Bugs in Danger is a good introduction to how insects and environmental care are connected. And yes, there is a bit of pointing fingers in the direction of humans for the destruction of insect and other bugs habitats and the use of pesticides, but Kurlansky also shows how non-native species can cause issues as well. And Kurlansky talks about how preservation is also occurring.
I was unaware of several facts (how some pollinators only pollinate one plant, others many; and how some are unable to be relocated to even environmentally similar areas). If you are into environmentalism this is a great book to add to that collection. And if you are like me, adult non-fiction always seems to go into the “dry very dry” route, therefore unable to keep my interest for long. I find young adult books are the best way to get interested in a subject and then follow through on anything I find interesting.