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Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
In The Adventures of Syd: Lost in Bone Cave by Danielle Simone, it’s fall break, and Syd is ready to go spelunking on her dad’s work trip. For the last four weekends, they’ve been training on ropes and gathering supplies for their cave adventure. This time, their expedition leads them to Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Readers are invited along with Syd and her dad as they study brown bat colonies. Syd learns about a disease called White Nose Syndrome and the vaccine that scientists have created to prevent it. She also finds out if the two large, vaccinated bat colonies are intermingling. Their cave journey leads through dusty passages, narrow crawlspaces, and chambers filled with bats everywhere. But what challenges will Syd encounter while learning about the delicate ecosystem in the cave?
Danielle Simone is the master of middle-grade environmental science adventures. I appreciated her integration of environmental awareness and science exploration. She created her own narrative signature with the father-daughter bond for those who’ve been following Syd’s adventures. I loved the mix of caution, excitement, and education. There are black and white illustrations by David Pfendler. These enhanced the storyline and also gave readers a visual of the cave setting. Danielle provided plenty of vivid details throughout the narrative. My favorite part of the story was when Syd and her father came across a stalagmite, a pile of minerals that looked like a rock formation. Readers who enjoyed other educational adventures like SJ King’s The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales would equally appreciate The Adventures of Syd: Lost in Bone Cave.
