Is the Loch Ness monster real? YOU are an investigator who will analyze the evidence and decide!

This is a fabulous middle grade nonfiction book that asks the reader to consider all the evidence from the 1930s when Nessie was first seen to now. Short anecdotes of sightings and scientific investigations are given. There’s also terminology that investigators would use (direct vs circumstantial evidence, evidence vs proof, fact vs opinion, wishful thinking, etc.). Everything is shared in short snappy chapters and case studies. Readers who love mysteries, cryptids, and science will LOVE this take on The Loch Ness monster.

“Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster” does two things well. First, it tells the story of the modern history of the Loch Ness Monster (aka Nessie). Second, it guides the reader through the process of analyzing the evidence for the case that Nessie exists.

On the one hand this is a history book, with Nessie sightings placed firmly in the context of the time. For example, I did not know that modern Loch Ness Monster sightings began shortly after the release of the movie “King Kong” which featured…dinosaurs with long necks.

On the other hand this is a book about evidence analysis using a fun mystery. In the discussion about the influence of “King Kong,” author Candace Fleming asks the reader to consider the potential influence of the movie on people who experienced sightings. While it isn’t a step-by-step guide, Fleming asks key questions about the evidence for the reader to consider. In an age where we need to develop critical analysis skills, this book is an excellent vehicle.

This book is great for upper elementary and middle school readers. It would be appropriate for high school students who are interested in the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Scholastic Focus, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I did not expect to find an investigation of the Loch Ness Monster to be so informative, but I was pleasantly surprised. The author uses the investigation as an opportunity to teach readers how to analyze information, from media sources, from online sources, and from personal accounts. This feels like an important skill for everyone. I appreciate that the digital searches made in the book are specifically of the organizations database rather than the internet at large. I'm not sure young readers will pick up the difference, but I noticed that searches were from a dependable source. Using Nessie as a topic is a great way to grab student's attention while imparting important skills.

This book is a fantastic middle-grade offering for kids who can't get enough of mysteries and science. In Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster, Candice Fleming not only examines every facet of the case for and against the existence of Nessie, she also uses the case as a way to teach readers how to sift through evidence to reach their own conclusions.

I loved all the pictures and the layout of the book. From medieval illustrations to pictures of scientists searching Loch Ness in 2023, every facet of the mystery was outlined and illustrated as a "clue" to the mystery Fleming invites her readers to solve. The use of second person "you" language was a fun change from the normal third person voice, allowing me to really become part of the investigation. I'm excited to hand this one off to my kids, especially my curious-minded third grader.

Some parts of the book didn't engage me as much as others, and I thought the ending felt abrupt, but overall I did enjoy this book and I hope there will be more "Is It Real" mystery cases in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to review. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.