PAMELA S. TURNER

THE FROG SCIENTIST was knocked out in a early round of School Library's Journal's Battle of the Books, but it came back as the winner of the Undead Poll, thanks to a wonderful post on Pharyngula, PZ Myer's famous science blog.

Meanwhile, I am trying to get back in the game after dislocating and fracturing my shoulder during a kendo match. Argh.

School Library Journal runs a very fun "Battle of the Kids' Books" contest. The idea is to pick 16 children's books and have them pair off in matches judged by well-known children's authors. In my first round I'm up against THE LAST OLYMPIAN, only the most popular book of the year. I'm expecting a lightning bolt to get me. Or a giant wave. Or some other tragic Olympic disaster.

The Washington Post just reported on a new study by Tyrone Hayes, star of THE FROG SCIENTIST. Tyrone exposed some African clawed frogs to atrazine in his lab and produced frogs that are genetically male but lay viable eggs. The transsexual frogs were produced at atrazine levels that are allowed in tap water.

Last weekend I was in San Diego for the AAAS Annual Meeting. There were sessions on food security, ocean acidification, the concept of time, the ethics of dolphin research, and hundreds of other topics. I told everyone I felt like a cat in a fish market. On Saturday night AAAS/Subaru SB&F awarded the science writing prizes (THE FROG SCIENTIST was the middle grade winner). It was so nice to meet so many people who value science writing--I met Diana Lutz, who used to edit Muse magazine, and Terry Young, the Chair of the Committee that awarded FROG the prize. He's a biologist with advanced degrees in education and library services. I'm so glad to know people like that exist! I also met Molly Bang, the winner in the picture book category for LIVING SUNLIGHT, which was one of my favorite books of the year. And the young adult winner, Idan Ben-Barak, was adorable. I bought his book about microbes and can't wait to read it. Julian, husband of Maren, chair of the committee that chose Idan's book, took some great photos and posted them on his blog.

Atrazine, the chemical Tyrone Hayes studies (also the subject of my book THE FROG SCIENTIST, has been linked to a birth defect. Brita water filter, anyone?

THE FROG SCIENTIST just won a Cybils Award for young adult nonfiction. (The Cybils is the children's and young adult bloggers' literary award.) What a great Valentine's Day surprise!

THE FROG SCIENTIST was recently named an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, a prize awarded to outstanding children's nonfiction by the National Council of Teachers of English. And I get to go to Florida for the NCTE convention this coming November...which is in Orlando, Florida...which is only a few hours' drive from where you can snorkel with manatees...oooh, a double reward!

Andy Comins (the photographer) and I just won a middle-grade science writing prize from the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science. I'm so happy!

THE FROG SCIENTIST is one of the children's books recommended by the San Francisco Chronicle in their Children's Books Gift Guide. Lots of other wonderful titles, too. Check it out.

Both A LIFE IN THE WILD and THE FROG SCIENTIST made Booklist's Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth. I was very happy to see LIVING SUNLIGHT on the list, too. It's one thing to do photosynthesis in 4,000 words, but to do it well in 400 words...that's an impressive accomplishment.

The New York Times reports that the EPA plans to take another look at the health risks of atrazine. Atrazine is the chemical Dr. Tyrone Hayes (subject of my children's book, THE FROG SCIENTIST) has been warning people about for almost a decade, based on his amphibian research. Stay tuned...

I just found out that THE FROG SCIENTIST is a finalist for the 2010 AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) prize for excellence in science writing for children. I've been nominated twice before and not won, but maybe third time's the charm? I love this award, whether I ever get the nod or not, because the judging committee is made up of both kid lit professionals and scientists.

If you'd like to see and hear Tyrone Hayes, the biologist I profiled in THE FROG SCIENTIST, just click on the video above.

I just found out that THE FROG SCIENTIST received starred reviews from two major review journals (BOOKLIST and THE HORN BOOK). Stars are hard to come by, and in my rather dismal post-Genki mood, these were a wonderful boost.

Tyrone Hayes, the scientist I profiled in The Frog Scientist, has an Atrazine Rap on YouTube. When was the last time you heard a scientist rap about his research? YouTube also has a video of a more detailed talk by Tyrone: From Silent Spring to Silent Night. Guaranteed, you'll want to buy a Brita water filter after you watch this.