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STEM Tuesday– National Parks– Author Interview- Nancy Castaldo

By STEM Tuesday on September 23, 2025 / National Parks, STEM Tuesday

Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview, a repeating feature for the last Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!

Today we’re interviewing Nancy Castaldo, author of The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale. The book discusses how restoring the balance between the primary predator and prey was instrumental in restoring a U.S. park’s ecosystem.

This book is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and was nominated for a number of awards.

“Castaldo leaves it for reflective readers to decide whether that is responsible conservation or unscientific meddling with natural patterns…Stimulating reading for young naturalists and eco-activists.” – Kirkus (Nonfiction. 10-13).

Christine Taylor-Butler: Hi Nancy. Thanks for letting STEM Tuesday feature you. You are a prolific author on topics related to conservation and nature. Did you always want to be a writer?

Nancy Castaldo: Not professionally. I’ve always loved writing—I was even published in Seventeen Magazine as a teen and entered writing contests—but I never considered it a career path. I actually wanted to work with animals. It wasn’t until my college internship at Audubon Magazine that I realized I could combine my passions—writing, photography, and science—into something meaningful.

CTB: What inspired you to write The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem?

Nancy Castaldo: I first learned about the predator-prey studies on Isle Royale in an undergraduate ecology class, and I was fascinated. I’ve followed the research ever since. When I heard about the recent wolf reintroductions, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to dive deeper and share the story in a book for middle grade readers.

CTB: With the wolf population dropping due to illness and other factors, scientists attempted to relocate twenty to thirty wolves from the mainland.

Nancy Castaldo: Yes. The island is isolated. It’s about fifteen miles from Minnesota and fifty miles from Michigan. In 1980 there were 50 wolves and 664 Moose. By 2018, only 2 wolves remained but the moose population grew to 1,500. So bringing wolves to the island was an attempt to restore the balance.

map of isle royal

CTB: How did you gather the information to write about the interactions between wolves and moose?

Nancy Castaldo: I was fortunate to conduct on-site research on Isle Royale alongside wildlife photographer Morgan Heim. It was an incredible experience to spend time with the scientists I’d admired since college. The predator-prey study there is the longest-running of its kind in the world. We met with researchers and park scientists, often traveling by boat and then hiking into the island’s interior to observe their work firsthand. From water chemistry to tracking wolves and moose, we saw just how much goes into understanding this complex ecosystem. Isle Royale is more than just a beautiful place to visit—it’s a living laboratory, and the work done there has implications for ecosystems everywhere.

CTB: Many readers may not realize how important animals are to healthy park ecosystems.

Nancy Castaldo: That’s true. For people like me, wildlife is a big part of why we love national parks. Animals bring the landscape to life—without them, so much of the magic would be missing. On Isle Royale, the wolf and moose populations are a major draw. Visitors are captivated by its wildness and the hauntingly beautiful calls of loons and wolves. The presence of these animals is essential to the health—and appeal—of the park.

CTB: Were there any interesting facts or stories that didn’t make it into the book?

Nancy Castaldo: Always! There are so many stories and facts that just don’t fit into the final manuscript, whether due to space or because they don’t quite align with the narrative. I love sharing those “bonus” details during school visits. It’s fun to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at the research and writing process.

CTB: Do you have any upcoming books we should keep an eye out for?

Nancy Castaldo: Yes! I’m excited to be releasing two new books for young readers this year, both focused on conservation and river recovery. RIVERKEEPER: Protecting an American River and WHALES IN THE CITY highlight real-world successes and show how much we can accomplish when we work together. I’m also thrilled about my first book for adult readers—and curious young adults—coming out next month:

I can’t wait to share all of these new stories with readers!

three upcoming book covers

Nancy bio photo Nancy Castaldo has written award-winning books about our planet for over 25 years from New York’s Hudson Valley. Her love of reading and writing outdoors began in her childhood. Her curiosity led her to study science. As an environmental educator and photographer, Nancy combined all of her interests. She still enjoys spending her time exploring in the wild as she did while researching over two dozen books and many articles.

Nancy is a certified National Geographic educator and served on the boards of her local Audubon Society and Girl Scout Council. In addition, Nancy serves on the Council of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network and the Writer’s Council of the National Writing Project

Nancy writes to inform, inspire, and empower her readers about the world around them.

Photo by Kecia Stovall

Your host is Christine Taylor-Butler, a graduate of MIT and author of The Oasis, Save the… Tigers, Save the . . . Blue Whales, and many other nonfiction books for kids. She is also the author of the STEM based middle grade sci-fi series The Lost Tribes. Follow @ChristineTB on X and or @ChristineTaylorButler on Instagram. She lives in Missouri with a tank of fish and cats that think they are dogs.

The Scientific Method is Dead! (Sort Of) – Emphasizing the Science and Engineering Practices With Middle Grade Books

By Emily Starr on September 22, 2025 / Articles, For Teachers, From the Classroom, Nonfiction

Raise your hand if you grew up learning the scientific method. Me too. In fact, for thousands of years, all the way back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), the scientific method has been the way science is done. And it still is. Sort of.

When the Next Generation Science Standards were released in 2013, it was immediately apparent that they are very different than previous standards. The NGSS are written in three dimensions that work together to help students make sense of the world: the Disciplinary Core Ideas, the Crosscutting Concepts, and the Science and Engineering Practices.

What are the Science and Engineering Practices?

In this post, I’m going to address the Science and Engineering Practices because they describe the actions we want our students to be engaging in. In other words, what we want our students to be able to do. Take a look at a comparison between the scientific method and the practices. What similarities do you notice? What differences do you see?

A table comparing the science and engineering practices with the scientific method

One of the main reasons for the shift away from the scientific method is its representation of science as a series of sequential steps to be completed in order. But science isn’t sequential. It is messy, as shown in this fantastic video by the California Academy of Sciences. (It really is worth the six-minute time investment.)

According to the NGSS Appendix for the Science and Engineering Practices:

The Framework uses the term “practices,” rather than “science processes” or “inquiry” skills for a specific reason: “We use the term “practices” instead of a term such as “skills” to emphasize that engaging in scientific investigation requires not only skill but also knowledge that is specific to each practice. (NRC Framework, 2012, p. 30)”

Now that you have a bit of background on the practices, let’s take a look at how you can emphasize them using middle grade nonfiction.

DISCLAIMER! We want our students to be doing the science and engineering practices, not just reading about them. The following suggestions are in addition to time spent engaging in the practices through a high-quality curriculum during dedicated science time.

Emphasizing the Science and Engineering Practices With Middle Grade Books

Below are a few examples to spark ideas about how you can bring more scientific thinking into your ELA instruction by focusing on the science and engineering practices.

Who Gives a Poop?: Surprising Science From One End to the Other by Heather Montgomery

This is the #1 book for exploring the #2 process! Heather takes readers along on a feces field trip. From dissecting possums to trains full of sewage, Heather models for students how asking questions and conducting investigations can lead to amazing (and gross!) discoveries.

The Doomsday Detectives: How Walter and Luis Alvarez Solved the Mystery of Dinosaur Extinction by Cindy Jenson-Elliott

This book chronicles the father-son team that solved one of the greatest mysteries of all time: How did the dinosaurs die? This book gives readers a front row seat to the science behind the discovery. All of the science and engineering practices are modeled, yet I love to emphasize how they analyzed data, engaged in argument from evidence, used mathematics and computational thinking, and communicated information.

Where Are the Aliens? The Search for Life Beyond Earth by Stacy McAnulty

This book explores the scientific thinking behind the search for alien life. Readers have a front row seat to the calculations that help scientists think about the potential existence of extra-terrestrial life. How scientists use mathematics is on full display!

One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them by Loree Griffin Burns

Loree’s opening perfectly describes this book: “This is a story about unusual caterpillars, curious people, and fascinating conversations.” It zooms in on a specific discovery involving pine processionary caterpillars and is perfect for spotlighting the practices of asking questions and conducting investigations.

As your students engage with the texts, you can ask them questions about the practices in three ways:

Ask students to identify how a particular practice is represented.
- Give an example from the book where Heather is conducting an investigation.
Ask students to identify a practice of their choosing.
- What practices do you notice in this book? Support your answer with examples from the text.
Ask students a specific question about a particular practice.
- How do Walter and Luis use data as evidence to explain phenomena?

Bottom line: The more we can model the practices for our students, the better they will understand and internalize them. After all, the practices, require practice!

More Than Mysteries

By Jen Kraar on September 19, 2025 / Articles, Book Lists, Fiction

You don’t have to be a super sleuth to discover these recently published mysteries written by diverse authors. Readers will be intrigued trying to puzzle out whodunit in these page-turning stories. Yes, they will encounter clues, red herrings and action packed scenes, but, most importantly, they will be thrilled to meet relatable young detectives who will inspire them to care about the questions they are seeking to answer. What stands out about these titles is that they are layered with bigger questions – such as injustices in Black History, or the unresolved lives of supernatural spirits, class prejudices in resort towns, the difficulties of true friendship, or ethics in celebrity TV shows. Without a doubt, readers will be entertained.

Their Just Desserts by Tracy Badua

Laila is thrilled to be on the TV set of a kid’s bake show, while her best friend Lucy, inspiring journalist, would rather be investigating a news story. Both best friends are determined to solve the mystery of the stolen jewels to help their friend, whose father has been accused of this crime. The girls strong personalities, and friendship difficulties, matched with the delicious baking scenes and excitement of the investigation are captivating.

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks

Clever puzzles, high jinx, and treasure maps, fuel Zeus’s cross country quest to find his grandfather. Along the way he and his three friends are chased by scary henchmen but also are presented with opportunities to learn about the Harlem Renaissance and other aspects of the injustices to Blacks in American History. The inclusion of these thought provoking themes are layered in a natural and fascinating way. The action escalates, and ends with a cliff hanger. Keep your eyes open for a sequel.

A Study in Secrets by Debbi Michiko Florence

Megumi ‘Meg’ Mizuno is an unwilling student at Leland Chase aka The Last Chance Academy. After her mother’s death two years ago, she has spiraled academically, and longs to spend more time with her busy and distracted father. When a silver envelope is slipped under her door she sees the chance to solve a scavenger hunt and win the luxury vacation prize that would bring her closer to her father. Meg, who has had difficulties making friends in the past, finds she needs to begin trusting her classmates, or else lose any chance of winning the hunt. The private school, shrouded in secrets, is the perfect backdrop for this series opener – as is the unexpected ending.

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kaylani is trying to make the best of her summer visiting her family’s hoity-toity friends. It shouldn’t be too hard, after all Martha’s Vineyard is full of beaches, kids her age and interesting Black History. When a young boy dies a shocking death, Kaylani is thrown into the role of detective. As Kaylani uncovers clues she’s confronted with secrets about her own life. Plot twists and emotional turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly

Lila has never met her Grandpa Clem, and is not to thrilled when her parents uproot her to spend time at his Inn to sort things out after his death. On arrival, she begins to see and communicate with ghosts, who tell her that her grandfather was murdered. With the help of a boy next door, Lila sets out to find the truth so she can release the spirits and allow them to pass to the other world. This spine chilling spooky mystery includes interactive elements. Using a QR code, readers can connect with the ghosts and conduct investigations of their own.

Opal Watson: Private Eye by Brittany J.Thurman

Opal’s a confident detective who has solved many a case for her friends and family. Now that she’s moved to the Crescent, the new apartment building that her dad is managing in Chicago, she’s confronted with a super challenging mystery. When her best friend and neighbor, Madison hears a strange noise in her bathroom, Opal investigates and finds a much bigger mystery – one that may threaten the existence of the entire building. She and a reluctant partner are assigned a video project about The Great Migration, and discover more surprising secrets about their building.

Jen Kraar

Jen Kraar grew up chasing lizards in India, making up stories about the residents of the spirit houses in Thailand, and riding retired racehorses in Singapore. On occasion she would visit the Met in NYC, and, like Claudia and Jamie, dream of splashing among the muse statues in the cafeteria’s fountain. Jen explores themes of finding home in the middle grade novels and picture books she writes. Now, as a Manager at Pittsburgh’s beloved City of Asylum Bookstore, she builds a diverse collection of books, talks about kid lit with customers young and old, and reads every middle grade ARC (advanced reading copy) she can get her hands on. When Jen is not reading or writing she is baking scones, knitting while viewing French detective shows with her partner, or visiting her daughters in Brooklyn and Durham.