In a world that doesn’t understand her, a girl will fight for the creatures nobody else loves.
Katherine Applegate’s “Willodeen” is a heartfelt middle-grade novel that blends magical realism with urgent environmental themes. Eleven-year-old Willodeen, orphaned by a wildfire, finds solace in her bond with nature, particularly the reviled “screechers,” creatures hunted by her village, and the beloved hummingbears whose annual migration once drew tourists to Perchance. When the hummingbears mysteriously vanish and ecological disasters escalate, Willodeen teams up with Connor, a shy artist whose handmade creatures magically come to life, to uncover the delicate balance between species. Applegate deftly weaves themes of grief, friendship, and resilience into a story about interconnected ecosystems.
This book is a standout choice for teaching SDG 15: Life on Land, as it vividly illustrates how human actions disrupt fragile ecosystems. Willodeen’s determination to protect scorned screechers (key to the hummingbears’ survival) offers a concrete example of biodiversity’s importance, perfect for supporting science units on food webs or conservation. Willodeen’s empathy for misunderstood creatures and her courage to challenge village norms exemplifies being Caring and Principled.
Try pairing the book with activities like analyzing local symbiotic relationships or class debates on predator control policies. The story’s focus on collective responsibility (“The earth is old and we are not”) invites reflection on sustainable choices, making it ideal for Earth Day projects or school-wide sustainability pledges. Applegate’s accessible prose balances hope with urgency, empowering students to see themselves as stewards of their environment, one small, screecher-sized act at a time.
