Junior/Intermediate (Gr. 4-8) (starred review) "... skillfully describes the delicate... relationship... among the Iñupiat of Alaska, the bowhead whales, and the scientists... (collecting data and studying) the animals. The Iñupiat have hunted bowheads for thousands of years... their... existence depends upon the harvesting... scientists are there to determine whether the whaling... by these communities is sustainable... Using a day-in-the-life format, Lourie follows one... scientist... as he goes about collecting... data. The biologist is careful not to disturb... the harvest and... works closely with the Iñupiat... Interwoven throughout... are historical information, scientific facts, and cultural tradition. Crisp color photographs on every page provide a lush complement to... engaging, informative text... readers will come away with... appreciation of the bowhead whales, the people who both hunt and respect them, and the scientists... " - School Library Journal, Feb/10 [environment; nature; hunting; First Nations America].