Michelle Cusolito

You won't want to miss this chance to meet science writer Michelle Cusolito, fresh from a 24-day ocean voyage, as she shares both her own photographs and those taken by communications professionals aboard the ship, as well as from WHOI's photo archives. A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone looks at how science and technology are used to discover worlds that humans otherwise can't. Michelle will discuss her fascinating book, share a slideshow of photos from the trip to the deep ocean, answer audience questions and sign books!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Join scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and international partner organizations on a research trip to study the ocean twilight zone using the newest technologies. Science writer Michelle Cusolito takes you along for the voyage of a lifetime.

From moving onto the ship and unpacking equipment to facing massive storms while in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, this book details the fascinating equipment used to study the deep ocean as well as day-to-day details such as what you eat on a Spanish research ship. Meet people and animals and learn more at sea than you ever imagined!

“From word one, Cusolito puts the reader smack into the action. Captivating creatures abound, coupled with important insights that impact our understanding of the ocean’s role in our planet’s sustainability. Perfectly titled, this book throws a window wide open, giving us an intimate look into the twilight zone.”
—Tanya Lee Stone, Sibert Medalist & NAACP Image Award Winner

“Michelle Cusolito captures the essence of high-seas research in A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone. She skillfully guides the reader through what it’s like to be a scientist at sea—the anticipation of departure, the challenges of heavy weather, and the thrill of discovery in one of the ocean’s most remote and mysterious regions. In the process, she underscores the urgency behind advancing knowledge of Earth’s last frontier—the ocean.”
—Peter de Menocal, President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“This spellbinding, real-life adventure will whisk you away with a team of scientists as they explore the wonders of the twilight zone. Michelle is a perfect guide to this remote realm and brilliantly shows what it's like to be a scientist working in challenging conditions. You’ll learn about the importance of teamwork and patience, find out about the exciting technologies scientists use to study the deep sea, and see how discoveries about our living planet are made. This book will spark curiosity and is perfect for budding scientists.”
—Dr. Helen Scales, marine biologist and author of books for kids and adults, including What a Shell Can Tell and The Brilliant Abyss

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michelle Cusolito is the author of Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean and Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin, which also won the 2016 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children's Book Discovery Award. She has worked as a fourth grade teacher, a curriculum specialist, and an adjunct professor. She lives in Rochester, MA.