And other mysteries in tropical Nature. 12 ecological mysteries are set in torpical forests. In each case a scientist notices something odd, follows the clues, tests a hypothesis through expreiment & eventually uncovers a surprising hidden connection or an unsuspected association. Much ecology writing for children is dull, secon-hand, & sermonizing. Quinlan, a biologist herself, reads the primary literature & talks to the sceintists whose work she describes. Her books are characterized by her unusual respect for a young audience. She is careful to be clear, but at the same time she assumes children can follow the scientists arguments, that they will be interested and they will value nature.