OUTSIDE AND INSIDE GIANT SQUID

As long as a city bus, with eyes as large as volleyballs, the giant squid is a thing of nightmares. No one has succeeded in capturing a live giant squid, but scientists have carefully studied dead specimens and extrapolated more from smaller squid relatives. Markle once again weaves her magic, making speculative science real with a brief, but detailed text and stunning photographs. She explains that the giant squid floats in the sea even though it may weigh a ton because its muscles contain ammonia, a chemical less dense that water. She shows a close-up photo of the three hearts, the fist-sized beak, and the tooth-studded strip called the radula inside the squid’s mouth. Markle makes clear there is much still to be discovered by the next generation of oceanographers. For example, little is known about giant squid reproduction. What is not known stimulates the imagination; every page is another wow. Fascinating. (glossary/index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)