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Something Rotten:
A Fresh Look at Roadkill
Something Rotten takes readers on a road trip into the oddly compelling and remarkably informative topic of roadkill.
Along the way readers meet a scientist looking to cure a contagious – yes contagious – cancer, a boy rebuilding animal bodies from the bones up, and citizens stringing up bridges to save endangered monkeys. All thanks to roadkill.
2019 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Notable Children's Book 2019
VOYA 's Nonfiction Honor List
The discoveries that arise from our flattened fauna will amaze you! ... There's nothing rotten about this book - it's a keeper."
*Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Montgomery inspires curiosity, asks excellent questions, and makes science and investigating roadkill fascinating to learn.
*School Library Connection, Highly Recommended
This book is not for the faint of heart (“It’s full of lung-eating parasites ropes of intestines, and, of course, bloody bodies.”), but be prepared to laugh along the way and to learn a lot.
*School Library Journal, Starred Review
Author: Heather L. Montgomery
Illustrator: Kevin O'Malley
Bloomsbury, 2018
ISBN: 978-1681199009
Comparison of Texts
Take a look at two versions of the story which could have been the ending for Something Rotten.
Original Epilogue Authors for Earthday blog
What similarities did you find? What differences? Why might those choices have been made?
Compare these versions with the epilogue in Something Rotten. Why do you think the final text was chosen?
Heather L. Montgomery
Simple Acts Save Lives
What have you done?
Heather wants to know.
Heather L. Montgomery
Heather L. Montgomery
The Chapter That Didn't Make It
An entire chapter, "Jaws of Death," was eliminated during the revision of Something Rotten. Download it here.
Enjoy reading this bonus chapter. Why do you think it was cut? I'd love to hear your reasoning. Teachers, parents and other adults can send me a message via the "Contact" page.