[Meghan Wilson Duff Posts: 42 Status: Offline STEM Nonfiction]

I'm working on a ms about passenger pigeons from the POV of the flock, which used to be in the billions and are now extinct. It can't exactly have an upbeat ending, but maybe a call to action or some sort of reflection. Does anyone have any suggestions for mentor texts? NF books with similar serious and difficult topics that have solid endings?

Thanks

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

The Nature Storybook series by Walker Books (UK) and Walker Books Australia may fit the bill. Examples include Dingo, and Big red Kangaroo (Claire Saxby) and some books by Nicola Davies - https://www.walker.co.uk/contributors/Nicola-Davies-2580.aspx

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

This one especially covers a sad story with an upbeat ending - https://corinnefenton.com/book/queenie-one-elephants-story

[Meghan Wilson Duff Posts: 42 Status: Offline STEM Nonfiction]

Thanks! Davies' Last: The Story of the White Rhino looks good.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,164 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Julie, I've been admiring your new cover of Tiny Possum. Adorable.

Meghan, that's tough when we have to write the sad truth. A call to action is perfect.
Nicola Davies' book Many about the diversity of life comes to mind. At the end, she talks about how many species we've lost and how we need to be responsible. And look what I found here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2016/oct/06/endangered-animals-illustrated-in-pictures   

[Meghan Wilson Duff Posts: 42 Status: Offline STEM Nonfiction]

Thanks! I'll have a look.

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Julie, I've been admiring your new cover of Tiny Possum. Adorable.

Thanks, Vijaya. X
I'm glad you are finding some useful mentor texts, Meghan. Best of luck with your project.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,448 Status: Offline WWW]

Maria Gianferrari does a lot of lyrical NF or informational fiction on animals. Marcie Flinchum Atkins has a beautiful NF PB on dormancy in nature. Laurie Purdie Salas does a lot of lyrical NF as well. But I guess they aren't dealing with the difficult ending you're talking about, but they are great mentor texts for lyrical NF/informational fiction.