Chapter One- Finding Your Inner Fish

Although it is summer time and most students would not be ecstatic about reading a summer book, Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin has seemed to prove this statement to be wrong. To my surprise, the first chapter of this book has been an easy and fun read. So far, I really enjoyed the way that the book was written to not be with extremely difficult diction, but instead, it is written so that students can clearly understand what Shubin is saying through his syntax. Shubin uses many question marks that triggers a deeper understanding into the student's learning process of the human body. There are also pictures included throughout the chapter that gives a visual about what Shubin is explaining. Shubin's conversational tone and way of writing creates an easier approach in reading and understanding this novel.

Throughout the chapter, Shubin speaks about his journey in trying to find the Tiktaalik. This process helped me understand the difficulties and struggle of archaeology. Students can truly see through the first chapter of the book that there is a lot that goes into science and the study of an object. Like many people have stated above, the connection between the Tiktaalik and us as humans is truly unbelievable. It is hard to fathom that a fish can have any resemblences or significance to what humans are now. The whole concept seems a little strange to understand, but it is amazing to trace back to millions of years ago. Also, the pictures of the Tiktaalik makes it even more clear of what the image that Shubin is trying to portray to his readers.

Also, Shubin used many analogies that cleared up any confusion, and made it even easier to read with a flow of the book. For example, he used an anology of a zoo, which is a setting that most readers may have related to and are familiar with. This makes it easier to understand what he is trying to convey to his readers even though it may be an idea that we are completely unaware of.

Overall, the resemblence of the Tiktaalik and us humans is an idea that I have found to be truly extrodinary. Throughout the first chapter of the book, I have found myself to be completely hooked and wanting to know more about further chapters to come. This book is a summer-read that is full of information and interesting facts!