Parrots Over Puerto Rico

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - American Library Association (ALA)

A nonfiction picture book about the history of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican parrot, which was brought back from the brink of extinction.

Above the treetops of Puerto Rico flies a flock of parrots as green as their island home... These are Puerto Rican parrots. They lived on this island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever.

Puerto Rican parrots, once abundant, came perilously close to extinction in the 1960s due to centuries of foreign exploration and occupation, development, and habitat destruction. In this compelling book, Roth and Trumbore recount the efforts of the scientists of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program to save the parrots and ensure their future. Woven into the parrots' story is a brief history of Puerto Rico itself, from before the first human settlers to the present day.

With striking collage illustrations, a unique format, and engaging storytelling, Parrots Over Puerto Rico invites readers to witness the amazing recovery efforts that have enabled Puerto Rican parrots to fly over their island once again.

Author: Susan L. Roth, Cindy Trumbore
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Published: 10/20/2013
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 9.10h x 10.50w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781620140048
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 163052 / Parrots Over Puerto Rico


Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Winner
Award: Orbis Pictus Award - Honor Book
Award: Americas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature - Winner
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/05/2013
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2013 pg. 113
School Library Journal 10/01/2013 pg. 144
Shelf Awareness 11/15/2013
Booklist 11/15/2013 pg. 40
PW Best Children's Books 11/11/2013 pg. 30
Kirkus Best Picture Books 11/15/2013 pg. 63
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2013 pg. 34
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2014 pg. 117
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2014 pg. 281
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2014 pg. 13
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 pg. 159 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author

Susan L. Roth's vibrant, unique, mixed-media collage illustrations have appeared in numerous outstanding picture books, including Parrots Over Puerto Rico, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal; Prairie Dog Song; The Mangrove Tree; Every Month Is a New Year, Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words, and most recently Butterfly for a King. Roth and her husband live in New York. Visit her online at susanlroth.com.

Cindy Trumbore has been involved with young people's literature for most of her career. A former editor in children's book publishing, she now writes children's books, edits books for classrooms, and teaches writing. She has collaborated with her friend Susan L. Roth on several award-winning titles, including Parrots Over Puerto Rico, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal for Nonfiction; The Mangrove Tree; Prairie Dog Song, and most recently Butterfly for a King. She lives with her husband in Delaware. You can visit her online at cindykane.net.

Susan L. Roth's vibrant mixed-media collage illustrations have appeared in numerous outstanding picture books, including Parrots Over Puerto Rico, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal; Prairie Dog Song; The Mangrove Tree; and most recently Every Month Is a New Year and Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words. Roth and her husband live in New York. Visit her online at susanlroth.com.