Riverkeeper: Protecting an American River

Dive headfirst into the history of environmental activism in the Hudson River watershed and learn how you can help organizations like Riverkeeper protect clean water around the globe!

Every inch of the United States is in a river's watershed. But in 1966, one of our most important watersheds was dying. Dead fish washed up on the Hudson River's shores, and the once-clear water reeked of oil. With too much pollution to support human or animal life, America's "First River" was in too deep--until a Riverkeeper, a pioneering group of environmental activists, fought to get rivers around the globe out of troubled waters.

Nonfiction pro Nancy Castaldo showcases Riverkeeper's achievements and the intersection of science and activism. With forty striking photographs and profiles of prominent water protectors, this resource-packed text is both a deep-dive into the history of the environmental movement and a guidebook for how individuals and communities can shape its future.

● Plunge into the dirty history of America's "First River" and learn how one of America's first environmental movements changed the course of activism around the world.
● Meet trailblazers like Tracy Brown, the first female Riverkeeper, whose clean water advocacy offers a blueprint for generations of future scientists.
● Learn about groundbreaking laws like the Clean Water Act, and how the hard work of activists--including people like you--has led to modern-day legislation that will help to heal our waterways for decades to come.
● Discover surprising (and surprisingly effective!) methods for ecological conservation, like granting legal personhood to bodies of water.
● Join the movement with engaging and accessible suggestions for cleaning up your local river, whether you're finding your local river sweep, volunteering as a water tester, or small things you can do at home!
● Explore the outdoors! Complete with a list of fun Hudson River activities and annual events all around the United States, this text celebrates rivers wherever they flow--and invites you to join in on the party!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Author: Nancy F. Castaldo
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 04/22/2025
Pages: 128
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
ISBN: 9780823453771
Audience: Ages 9-12

About the Author
Nancy Castaldo has written award-winning books about our planet for over 20 years from New York's Hudson Valley. Her love of reading and writing outdoors began in her childhood, when she wasn't searching for frogs, turtles, and salamanders, and climbing trees. Her curiosity led her to study science. As an environmental educator, Nancy combined all of those interests. She still enjoys spending her time exploring in the wild as she did while researching over two dozen books and many articles. Nancy writes to inform, inspire, and empower her readers about the world around them. She is represented by Jennifer Laughran of Andrea Brown Literary.