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  • Published: 15 March 2015
  • ISBN: 9781580895866
  • Imprint: Charlesbridge Children
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $35.00

John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall



This nonfiction picture book depicts the night in 1871 that environmentalist John Muir climbed up beside Yosemite Falls, slipped behind the crashing water, and momentarily wondered if he'd survive.

TUMBLING, RUMBLING, TWISTING, MISTING, FOAMING, THUNDERING waterfall.

Conservationist and naturalist John Muir steps outside his cabin in California’s Yosemite Valley on a moonlit April night in 1871. Admiring the beauty of the nearby upper Yosemite Falls, he moves closer and closer to the waterfall until he reaches Fern Ledge. A gust of wind lifts the water away from the rock and John scoots behind the fall, with the rumbling of the powerful water pounding in his chest. Suddenly the wind stops and John finds himself pinned against the mountain. How will he escape the pounding, thundering hold that the water has on him?

Jamie Hogan’s beautiful pastel pencil illustrations capture the tranquility and majesty of John Muir’s surroundings in Yosemite Valley. Secondary text provides more detail on Muir's life. Information about Muir and the Yosemite Valley, a list for further reading, a bibliography, and an archival photo of Muir are included as backmatter.

  • Published: 15 March 2015
  • ISBN: 9781580895866
  • Imprint: Charlesbridge Children
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $35.00

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Praise for John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall

Praise for Monet Paints a Day (Danneberg)

  • "In this captivating story . . . Danneberg captures this brief moment in the French artist's life."--School Library Journal
  • "Emphasizes the challenge of capturing ephemeral moments in nature."--Publishers Weekly

  • Praise for Here Come the Humpbacks! (Hogan)
  • "Hogan's panoramic, cool-colored charcoals make this read-along fodder . . . but are also detailed enough to engage independent readers."--Booklist