Something Rotten

A completely gross and totally compelling book about the author's journey to understand roadkill.

* "There's nothing rotten about this book—it's a keeper." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "A top addition to STEM collections." —School Library Journal, starred review

* "Makes science and investigating roadkill fascinating." —School Library Connection, starred review

An ALA Notable book

An Orbis Pictus Recommended title
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection
A VOYA Nonfiction Honor title
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year


When Heather L. Montgomery sees a rattlesnake flattened on the side of the road, her first instinct is to pick it up and dissect it--she's always wanted to see how a snake's fangs retract when they close their mouths, and it's not exactly safe to poke around in a live reptile's mouth.


A wildlife researcher with a special penchant for the animals that litter the roadways, Heather isn't satisfied with dissecting just one snake. Her fascination with roadkill sets her off on a journey from her own backyard and the roadways of the American South to scientists and kids in labs and homes across the globe. From biologists who use the corpses of Tasmanian devils to investigate cures for a contagious cancer, to a scientist who discovered a whole new species of bird from a single wing left behind, to a boy rebuilding animal bodies from the bones up, to a restaurant that serves up animal remnants, Heather discovers that death is just the beginning for these creatures.


Dig into this eye-opening and irreverent look at the dead and dying animals that we pass by without a second thought.


Read Something Rotten if you're looking for:


-a fresh, funny, engaging book packed with firsthand research


-a book that shows the scientific method in action


-approachable, inviting, high-interest nonfiction


-the voice of "the female Bill Nye," or Mary Roach for kids