When city girl Nancy moves to a small coastal Maine town she meets Mariner, the Great Blue heron with a GPS tracking device on its back. We follow the actual tracking data of this real-life heron through the story as a lobster fisherman’s son and a mysterious naturalist with an uncanny way with animals take Nancy in hand with engaging results.
About the Author
Marnie Reed Crowell with Danielle D’Auria, Waterbird Specialist
Marnie Reed Crowell is a natural history writer with an MS in Biology from University of Pennsylvania, married to St Lawrence University ecology professor, now retired. She has written a number of books based on nature such as Great Blue: The Odyssey of a Great Blue Heron (Times Books 1980), as well as magazine articles for such publications as Audubon, Natural History, and others.
About the Scientist
Danielle D’Auria, Waterbird Specialist, is a wildlife biologist who works in the Bird Group of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. She focuses on understanding statewide populations of colonial wading birds, secretive marsh birds, black terns, loons, and other rare water birds. Since 2009, she has spent the majority of her time researching why great blue herons have undergone a decline along Maine’s coast.
“Mariner” is a great blue heron tagged with a GPS transmitter by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists in Maine.
IFW biologist, Danielle D’Auria, talking with students from Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School about the Heron Tracking Project.
Mariner the great blue heron with the GPS transmitter attached using a backpack design made out of Teflon ribbon. You can also see the metal USGS bird band on its leg.
IFW staff, Brittany Currier and Marielle Thomas, releasing Mariner the great blue heron. Photo by Jane Rosinski
Mariner the great blue heron flies off over the pond. You can see the GPS transmitter on her back and the metal USGS bird band on her left leg. Photo by Jane Rosinski
Read more about “Mariner” here.
SPECS
The Heron Witch
FICTION/HYBRID NONFICTION
Young Adult
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.25
Page Count: 200
ISBN: 979-8-9883820-4-1
Publication Date: OCTOBER 8,, 2024
Distributor: IPG/Chicago, Ingram.
Rights sold: All rights available.
Rights & PR: Dede Cummings, dede@greenwriterspress.com
Keywords: Nature; Great Blue Heron; “Mariner”; Natural History; GPS transmitter, Biology; Deer Isle; Maine; Heron Tracking Project; Coastal Islands; Young Adult Fiction; YA; migration; Island Heritage Trust;
Distributor: IPG; also available through Follett/Baker & Taylor, Ingram, and other wholesalers.
Individuals can pre-order directly from Bookshop.org, or contact your local, independent bookstore.
Booksellers, libraries, colleges/universities, gift shops, etc., can order through IPG:
Independent Publishers Group
814 N. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Order Placement: (800) 888-4741
To request an advance reader copy—digital or print—email dede@greenwriterspress.com