Ten Environmental Children’s Books For Ten Years of Edge Effects

by Megan Schliesman · Published October 17, 2024 · Updated October 22, 2024

cropped photo of a Black child wearing a bright purple shirt, their cupped hands holding a monarch butterfly

Edge Effects turns ten this week. In honor of ten-year-olds everywhere, we collaborated with the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) at UW-Madison to recommend ten environmental children’s books. And if you need recommended reading for adults, check out our 2023 Year in Review and birthday post from last year!

Books about nature and the environment can enhance young readers’ appreciation for nature and the earth, increase their understanding of environmental issues and challenges, and inspire action for change. They can also feed readers’ interest, fuel fascination, and even inspire awe, just like nature itself can.

This list provides a small sampling of the many books for middle grade readers—and many types of books—that explore nature and the environment. They include novels with environmental themes, informational books about scientific research, fascinating plants, engaging animals, and lives inspired by the natural world. For more nature-themed books recommended for readers from preschool through high school-age, check out the CCBC’s full Eco-Reading bibliography and the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

layered illustration of three young Black children stand beneath a mountain, the one on the left has long braids and wears glasses, the one in the middle has cropped hair and holds a map, and the one of the left has cropped hair and holds a flower — Book cover of Flying Up the Mountain

Flying Up the Mountain by Elizabeth-Irene Baitie (Norton, 2023)

233 pages. Ages 8–11.

Ato lives in West Africa and is making a long-coveted trip to Nnoma, an island established as an environmental sanctuary. Nnoma invites groups of kids for week-long stays during which they compete in environmentally themed challenges, with those on the top three teams given the honor of being named Asofa, earth protectors, at week’s end. The island’s Guardians, who run the activities, are adults who were among the first Asofa. Ato desperately wants to be named Asofa. But he also hopes to use his time on the island to find a message that his dad, who died when Ato was young and who was involved in the creation of Nnoma, supposedly left there for Ato. Friction between the two girls on Ato’s team, and between Ato and a boy on another team, is already hindering his progress toward these goals when Ato discovers the future of Nnoma is in jeopardy: One or more of the Guardians is conspiring with developers to mine the island’s resources. Thwarting these nefarious plans becomes the most important mission of all in this mystery-adventure from a Ghanaian author. The young characters’ knowledge and enthusiasm for protecting the environment is inspiring, while friendship dynamics and tensions ground them as refreshingly relatable.

illustrated book cover showing half a young white girl's face, with focus on her blue eye, a pencil behind her ear — Book cover of Force of Nature

Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson by Ann E. Burg, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Scholastic Press, 2024)

278 pages. Age 10 and older.

“In school we learned the earth / was once covered in water. / Imagine! / Ocean water covering everything … Someday I want to visit / the ocean and meet all / the wonderful creatures / who live there!” A lyrical novel-in-verse about Rachel Carson begins with her childhood in rural Pennsylvania. Young Rachel delighted in nature; it also provided escape and solace as family members navigated difficult times. A child who loved writing, Rachel went on to study English in college until discovering biology, switching majors despite warnings of limited opportunities for women in science. She’d almost graduated before finally seeing the ocean for the first time. She entered a graduate program in marine biology but had to find paying work after the death of her father and her older sister left her the sole provider for her mother and two young nieces. Writing about science and nature became a beautiful melding of her two passions. She wrote several highly regarded books for children before Silent Spring, penned while undergoing treatment for cancer and caring for her young nephew. Carson faced immense losses in her life, which are given full feeling here, but they’re balanced with the joy she found in nature and family—especially her nieces and great-nephew. Her remarkable spirit and accomplishments also leave a lasting impression in this inspiring work graced by black-and-white spot art.

book cover with a photo of a black bear in backyard, with the title in bright yellow handwritten font — Book cover of Backyard Bears

Backyard Bears by Amy Cherrix (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018)

73 pages. Ages 9–13.

Each stand-alone volume in the “Scientists in the Field” series explores scientific research and problem solving related to the natural world. Here, an exploration of the intersection of wildlife and human populations in urban and suburban areas opens with four wildlife biologists studying the growing black bear population in and near Asheville, North Carolina. Their study acknowledges the challenges (and rewards) to humans who regularly encounter urban bears, dispels some misinformation about the species, and describes practical ways that co-living can be managed. Information gained from bears fitted with radio collars helps the biologists predict behavior and recommend ways to keep both bears and humans safe. Final chapters delve into how humans have historically made poor decisions involving interaction with wildlife, with outcomes that often threaten animal habitat and food supply. Other species that have adapted to encroaching urban landscapes are briefly presented, including leopards in Mumbai, wild boars in Berlin, and feral chickens in Hawaii.

illustrated book cover with a young girl with dark hair, red rain coat, and a flag standing in a flowing river, with eight other children in grayscale standing in the forest behind her holding signs — Book cover of Save Our Forest!

Save Our Forest! by Nora Dåsnes, translated from the Norwegian by Lise Lærdal Bryn (Hippo Park / Astra Books, 2024)

229 pages. Ages 9–12.

Bao (Vietnamese Norwegian) and her best friends Tuva and Linnea (both white) love the bog (forest) behind their middle school, where they’ve played and adventured for years. Bao is also passionate about environmental issues, and, as president of the student council, a student representative on the school board. A convergence of issues—not enough parking, and unusually heavy rain causing flooding in the forest that poses a danger—leads to members of the board outvoting Bao and deciding to raze part of the forest to expand the school parking lot. Bao’s furious that no one seems to care about the impact on forest life or kids, or that more cars only contribute to climate change, which is behind changing weather patterns, while more concrete means more runoff. Her anger is compounded by frustration with her mom, who was too busy to help Bao prepare for the meeting. She tries to rally other kids to protest the parking lot, at first with limited success, but a daring act on Bao’s part inspires a group of them to stage a camp-in, occupying the forest so work cannot begin. Bao’s passion, rooted in climate anxiety and her love for the forest, is not always matched by her fellow protestors, especially once the rain begins again; it’s one of the elements that makes this heartfelt, inspiring graphic novel, translated from the Norwegian, so genuine.

illustrated book cover showing a cross section of the earth, fossils on the bottom, a brick layer, a lava layer, a topsoil layer, and then buildings with a blue sky and the book title in sans serif font — Book cover of Total Garbage

Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World by Rebecca Donnelly, illustrated by John Hendrix (Henry Holt/Macmillan, 2023)

138 pages. Ages 9–14.

An eye-opening, occasionally gross, and above all fascinating account explores what we do with the things we no longer want or need. Chapters titled “What Is Trash?”, “Where Does Our Garbage Come From?”, “Why Do We Make So Much Garbage?”, “Where Does Our Garbage Go?”, “What Can We Learn from Our Garbage?”, and “How Can We Do Better?” explore various kinds of waste; the waste stream, which exists for both an item’s production (upstream) and post-use (downstream); and options for what we can (and can’t) do with various kinds of waste; as well as some intriguing history. The absence of a table of contents is unfortunate, but the engaging narrative invites thoughtful consideration of the individual and collective impact of our choices and the cause-and-effect relationship humans have with garbage. A “Trash Timeline,” selected resources, and index are included in the back matter of a volume that is pure trash—in the best way possible.

illustrated book cover with a top view of a soft green meadow, flowers on the bottom and grass on the top with a young child reading a large book and two squirrels sitting next to them — Book cover of I Begin with Spring

I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau by Julie Dunlap, illustrated by Megan Elizabeth Baratta (Tilbury House, 2022)

96 pages. Ages 8–12.

This biography of Henry David Thoreau styled like a nature journal opens with the line, “There are four seasons in a year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. I will begin with Spring.” Thoreau’s lifetime of observations around his home in Concord, Massachusetts, infuse every design aspect of this highly illustrated text. A dated timeline running across the bottom of each page introduces readers to the science of phenology (the timing of natural events) and shed light on Thoreau’s contributions to the study of climate change today. His attentive and detailed notes about plants and animals, day by day and from year to year, broaden the impact of his work beyond his well-known two years at Walden Pond. Pencil and watercolor illustrations, many with scientific labels, are awash on every page. Historical images of people, places, and documents provide social, political, and geographic context for Thoreau’s life and times, including his support of abolition and thoughts on Charles Darwin’s work. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

illustrated book cover with two large trees on either side, a flock of parrots flying across the page, and the book title in brown serif font — Book cover of The Wisdom of Trees

The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook, 2021)

47 pages. Ages 7–11.

A fascinating book of poetry and information explores the ways trees communicate and support one another, other plants, and animals in their environments. Trees can use their root systems to warn one another about insect or animal predators, for example, or to provide food for trees that are sick or too young to produce enough for themselves. Trees also provide enough blooms and nuts to both feed nearby animals and create new trees. The range of topics in this volume covers many types of trees and multiple aspects of their survival. Each double-page spread includes a poem on the left (e.g., “How to Speak in Tree,” “We Are Like Wizards,” “Song of Hunger”) and related informational text on the right. A lovely watercolor illustration connects the two with a scene related to the narrative. Ample back matter includes additional information for each page spread, including more details about the specific types of trees and phenomena mentioned.

illustrated book cover with a green fish in a flowing river, a woman with a large fishing net standing on land, and a young child beside her — Book cover of A River’s Gifts

A River’s Gifts: The Mighty Elwha River Reborn by Patricia Newman, illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Millbrook, 2022)

48 pages. Ages 8–12.

A thorough account elucidates the dramatic history of the Elwha River, sacred to the Elwha Klallam Tribe (also known as the Strong People) of the land commonly known as Washington State. Beginning with overviews of the river’s formation, the salmon that spawn in its waters, and the natural resources the river provides for the Strong People, the narrative then covers the decades of damage caused by the actions of white settlers. In 1910 and 1926, respectively, the “strangers” built two dams, greatly disrupting life in and around the river: The salmon population is decimated, habitats destroyed, banks eroded, and the Strong People’s Creation Site and lands are flooded. When the license for the dams is up for renewal, the Strong People and other allies double down on their efforts to have the dam removed; eventually, they succeed. Removal of the dams and successful rehabilitation of the river takes years and the work of many specialists, including fish, water, plant, tribal, and wildlife scientists, and many volunteers. Replete with clear diagrams and sidebars, this is a fascinating and inspiring account of perseverance, cooperation, and gratifying success.

book cover with a photo of a rodent glowing with red and blue color, the title at the top in red and white block lettering — Book cover of Mysterious Glowing Mammals

Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation by Maria Parrott-Ryan (Millbrook Press / Lerner, 2024)

56 pages. Ages 8–13.

This intriguing science mystery begins in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, on a night ecologist Jonathan Martin was studying tree frogs in his backyard. Using his ultraviolet flashlight, he saw something pink and luminous flash through the upper canopy. He couldn’t believe his eyes: It was a flying squirrel. Specifically, a GLOWING flying squirrel. Nothing like it had ever been documented. The surprise discovery led to the formation of a small team of scientists at Northland College in Ashland. Was this phenomenon unique? Tied to a specific family of squirrels or certain species? Was the fur glowing from exposure to something, or did it glow naturally? Were there other animals that glowed? “Team Biofluorescent,” as they called themselves, began researching the scientific record to find out what else was known about biofluorescence in animals. There were many examples of jellyfish, coral, and sea anemones, and some land animals like tree frogs and chameleons, but only one record of a mammal, and nothing about flying squirrels. They narrowed their search by looking at other specimens at the Field Museum in Chicago, discovering even more surprises in the dark. Their exciting scientific discovery from 2019 is told here in an engaging account that includes explanation of scientific terms, and captivating photographs.

illustrated book cover with a two brick apartment buildings on either side and a park in the background, with people in every window, gardening in the yard, biking on a path, and walking near the pond — Book cover of The City Sings Green

The City Sings Green & Other Poems about Welcoming Wildlife by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu (Clarion / HarperCollins, 2024)

40 pages. Ages 7–11.

This uplifting, inspiring work highlights eleven environmental restoration and problem-solving projects around the world. When Toronto began creating more green spaces and urban forests, ravens returned to the city. A penguin tunnel was built to help 14” Little Blue penguins cross a busy highway in New Zealand, and a honeybee highway in Oslo, Norway, provides the pollinators with food and resting places on rooftops across the city. A concerted effort to regreen Singapore has resulted in the return of vanishing wildlife, including smooth-coated otters, while a project to rewild a Los Angeles schoolyard has resulted in thriving native plants and the appearance of a rare burrowing owl. These and other featured endeavors, described in playful poems and brief informative text, create a sense of hopeful possibility in a can-do collection with vibrant illustrations that add to the cheerful feel. Additional resources about restoration work and each specific project, as well as suggestions for learning about issues close to home and ways to take action, are at volume’s end.

Featured image: a child holds a monarch butterfly. Photo by David Clode, 2018.

The annotations for the books above were written by the CCBC professional staff for the CCBC’s annual best-of-the-year list, CCBC Choices. All © Cooperative Children’s Book Center.

Megan Schliesman is a librarian and Assistant Director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Website. Contact.

The Cooperative Children’s Book Center is a unique and vital gathering place for books, ideas, and expertise in the field of children’s and young adult literature. The CCBC is a noncirculating examination, study, and research library for Wisconsin school and public librarians, teachers, early childhood care providers, university students, and others interested in children’s and young adult literature.