Is It Real? the Loch Ness Monster

January 6, 2025
“You are an investigator for the Black Swan Scientific Investigation (BSSI) team,” Fleming (The Enigma Girls) declares in the opening chapter of this interactive foray into unraveling “the natural world’s greatest mysteries”—in this instance, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. Transitioning from a cheeky second-person POV through which readers receive their mission into fluid third-person reimaginings of historical events, portrayed as the audience’s “case file,” the author launches budding cryptid sleuths into their investigation. The provided information (“Case File: What Lurks in the Loch?”) features the history of the Loch Ness Monster and its purported sightings, as well as gathered evidence, including the footprints discovered by game hunter Marmaduke Wetherell and surgeon Robert Kenneth Wilson’s infamous photo of the creature. Subsequent sections detail later investigations of the legend between 1958 and 1970 using sonar equipment and DNA testing. Utilizing a handy BSSI Investigator’s Handbook—a critical thinking guide covering topics such as evidence, bias, and questionable witnesses, included via insets—the audience is encouraged to evaluate the case of the Loch Ness Monster. It’s a clever, attention-grabbing read that fosters critical thinking skills and scientific methodology. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from January 1, 2025
Grades 3-7 *Starred Review* Fleming approaches the Loch Ness monster question with a well-organized collection of evidence for readers to evaluate, practical ways of doing so, and an attitude of skepticism. In the book's fictional framework, the reader, "an investigator for the Black Swan (BSSI) investigative team," receives an envelope full of interviews, news articles, and other documents related to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, and one question to answer: "Is it real?" Addressing the reader in second person, Fleming offers advice on types of evidence and how to evaluate them. Although several photos were taken of "monsters" in Loch Ness, they did not prove Nessie's existence. The book's black-and-white illustrations include many photos and a few pertinent drawings. From the first sightings in 1933 to the arrival of a famous big-game hunter (who incorrectly identified a hippopotamus footprint as that of the monster) to Fleming's warning to doubt any evidence leading to conclusions that you particularly want, this well-organized book offers an opportunity to learn about the Loch Ness Monster while becoming more skilled and skeptical when evaluating so-called experts and opinions voiced as facts. In short, this account of the history of Loch Ness monster sightings and theories is entertaining, informative, and useful for practical applications as well.

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March 14, 2025

Gr 3-7-The always versatile Fleming guides kids on a quest to uncover the truth of the Loch Ness monster. Presenting the facts in an engaging format where readers are invited to examine the evidence as members of the fictitious Black Swan Scientific Investigation (BSSI) team, the Sibert-winning author details the many accounts of sightings and testimonials of people who have encountered the cryptid from Scotland's famous loch since the 1930s. Instead of telling young people what to believe, Fleming prompts them with guiding questions and examples on how to implement the scientific method or a lawyer-style prosecution so that they can make their own decisions. Black-and-white photos and productions add even more interest and are cleverly presented as evidence. Asides and excerpts from the BSSI Handbook break down the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence and offer advice such as, "you don't decide if something is true or not until you have all the facts. You never make assumptions." The framing feels hokey and distracting at times, but the whole package comes together cohesively. Back matter includes a bibliography of primary and secondary sources and source notes. The engaging format, design, and conversational tone will draw in readers and inspire them to examine and question media and information in their studies and daily lives. VERDICT Middle graders will be hoping for more installments of this "Is It Real?" series. Purchase for all nonfiction shelves.-Shelley M. Diaz

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