Great Carrier Reef

By Jessica Stremer, Gordy Wright (Illustrator)

Part of the Books for a Better Earth series

An unsinkable ship becomes a thriving underwater reef, sparking new life beneath the waves.

4.5/5 Goodreads · 179 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Dive into the transformation of the USS Oriskany, once a mighty aircraft carrier, now the world's largest artificial reef. Stripped to its steel core, it embarks on a new mission beneath the waves. With over 150 experts, this sunken giant becomes a sanctuary for marine life, battling threats like overfishing and pollution. Will this engineered reef succeed in nurturing ocean life? Discover the intricate process and the vibrant ecosystem it supports, inspiring young minds to protect our planet's future.

From the publisher

An outstanding STEM picture book documenting the transformation of an aircraft carrier that was gutted and turned into the world’s largest artificial reef. What happens when something designed to be unsinkable gets bombed to the bottom of the ocean floor? With careful preparation, new life can take root! This incredible story brings young readers along on the journey of the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany–the Mighty O–as it gets stripped down to a steel shell for a new life below the waves. After 25 years of service, launching more aircraft than any other carrier of its time, the ship found a new mission as an artificial reef off the coast of Florida. The Mighty O was prepped and reefed by a team of more than 150 scientists, engineers, and technicians. Today, it is home to a flourishing variety of marine animals. Designed to encourage regrowth and protect vulnerable marine life, artificial reefs are a crucial tool in the fight against overfishing, pollution, and warming water temperatures. Extensive back matter reveals more about the Mighty O’s history, the diseases eating away at the world’s natural reef systems, and the role artificial reefs play under the sea, and budding marine biologists will love poring over the exquisite illustrations. Books for a Better Earth are designed to inspire children to become active, knowledgeable participants in caring for the planet they live on. A Cook Prize Silver MedalistA Crystal Kite Midwest Region Honor BookA Utah Beehive Award NomineeA Green Earth Book Award Recommended TitleA New York Public Library Best Book of the Year A Science Friday Best Science Book For KidsAn ALA Top 10 Sustainability Themed Children’s Book of the YearA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionA Horn Book Fanfare BookA CCBC Choices BookA Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the YearA Connecticut Nutmeg Book List SelectionA Washington, D.C. Capitol Choices List Selection

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