Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson

by Ann E. Burg, Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

A beautiful and hopeful story of how a young impassioned naturalist grows up to change the world. For everyone who cares about our fragile planet. Rachel was a girl who loved science and the sea books and writing and all the creatures of the world. Rachel was quiet, a listener by nature. But when she saw problems, she could not remain silent. Some people thought girls shouldn’t be scientists or writers. They thought girls shouldn’t use their voices to question or challenge even to protect all the creatures of the world. Luckily Rachel didn’t listen to them.

Genres: Middle Grade, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Novel In Verse, Nature, Biography Memoir, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Denise Krebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Force of Nature, by Ann E. Burg, is a verse novel of Rachel Carson. It is a delightful celebration of the love Rachel had for Earth and her all too short life here. In her extensive research, Ann found a voice for Carson as a child and young person with dreams of being first a writer and then a scientist, until finally finding her place as both--“Why did it never occur to anyone that my pen and my microscope could find new purpose together?” Rachel asks in the novel when she has success as a science writer.

The life of Rachel Carson as told through Burg’s eyes and wisdom, immediately led me to borrow Silent Spring from my library and read it. I had heard of and read of Rachel Carson before, but I had yet to read her work. Even though it is sixty years since publication, I was enthralled to read her world-changing writing. The poisoning of the environment with chemical insecticides like DDT was the major theme. With much research and many examples, she made the case, and the world heard. She ends the book with reasons for hope as she described alternative methods to reduce insects that cause disease and crop devastation.

Carson writes in her own poetic style; for instance, in the first half of chapter 15 she artfully describes the inter-connected community of insect species: “Or there, almost invisible against a leaf, is the lacewing, with green gauze wings and golden eyes, shy and secretive, descendent of an ancient race…” After reading Rachel Carson, it makes me appreciate even more Burg’s verse novel genre for Force of Nature.

Ann Burg’s new novel, Force of Nature, comes out in spring of 2024. I am hopeful it will inspire many young people (and old) to dig deeper into Rachel Carson’s legacy and find for themselves a greater love and concern for our Earth. I have.
Striking line: "We move from crisis to crisis, merely trading one problem for another" from Silent Spring.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a fluke from my latest Scholastic order primarily due to my love for anything illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

I sat down to read this over the weekend and was (and still am) completely mesmerized by the fictionalized story of Rachel Carson.

I’m not a huge reader of novel-in-verse but I loved it for this story. It really emphasized Rachel’s love of nature and concern for the environment with the more scarce prose.

I do think some of the timeline jumped a bit and was slightly confusing at times but I get it in order to keep the story moving.

I can’t stop thinking about it and recommend it to all grades 4th and up!!

[📚Linda Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful audiobook with bird song, ocean waves, and an orchestra accompanying the text. Burg’s fictionalized account of Rachel Carson’s life is lyrical and moving. It provides the impetus for all of us readers to be our better selves, including the middle school readers for which it was written.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with a lyricism that exemplifies the writings of Rachel Carson, this novel in verse lays out the intellect which Carson paired with a fierce and abiding wonder about the interconnectedness of mankind and nature. Through the story we see Carson as a determined scientist and caring family member who often shouldered difficult burdens. The text is enhanced by numerous wonderful drawings of nature.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictional yet historic telling of how Rachel L. Carson became a formidable scientist and writer. Written in verse, with an inordinate amount of exclamation points, each page gives a snippet of the life and experiences of Rachel and the joy and peace she found in nature.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a total Rachel Carson fan girl, I had high expectations for Force of Nature, but knowing Ann Burg’s attention to detail and poetic skill I knew Rachel’s story was in good hands. I was not disappointed! It is a beautiful book that gets everything right. Ann’s beautiful language coupled with Sophie Blackall’s illustrations deftly brings Rachel’s life and the wonder of the natural world to young readers.

[Tamsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Lovely writing and a wonderful introduction to the life and writing of Rachel Carson. I learned a lot and plan to read her books. Beautiful illustrations by Sophie Blackall were welcome throughout. I am interested to see if it appeals to middle schoolers.

[Debbie Stahmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written book - really enjoyed it!

[Debra Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent YA novel in verse about the life of Rachel Carson. Determined to read Silent Spring. Inspiring woman. Lovely illustrations by the Caldecott winning artist Sophie Blackwell.

[Meghan Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Burg thus far. The story of Rachel Carson is absolutely fascinating, and perhaps largely unknown? Or maybe that’s just me? Burg’s deft use of verse to tell a long tale with an economy of language is particularly powerful in this novelization of the great environmentalist’s life. I learned so much and felt a deep affection and admiration for this pioneering scientist and writer.

[Gabriela Vinezeano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Force Of Nature is a beautiful portrait of Rachel Carson, her love for the natural world, and the galvanizing power of words. Its powerful combination of poetry, art, story-telling, and truth make it the perfect introduction to life that must continue to resonate and inspire young people all over the world. An essential read.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann E. Burg brings Rachel Carson to life in lyrical lines. Drawing the reader from Rachel's early publishing experiences, to college where she fell in love with biology, we see her grow and develop. Her interest in story and biology meet at the perfect time to help readers fall in love with the ocean. I loved learning how Rachel recognized the impact the heavy pesticides were having on the bird and insect population, and was an early warning against their decimation.

[Adelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, and it was a true story?! I loved learning about a woman in science, especially because it was long time ago and that is unusual!

[Karen Baierl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written and illustrated juvenile book that is for all ages. Written in first person it reads like a memoir. Rachel Carson's words still ring true: The more we notice and appreciate the mysteries of the universe, the more devoted we will be to her protection.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Force of Nature is a middle grade book about the life of Rachel Carson. While based of fact, the story is billed as a fictional work.

Rachel was making her way in the world when women were offered very little respect in the professional world. She was advised more than once to stay away from the science field as this was a male dominated profession.
In lyrical words, the author vividly demonstrates Rachel’s deep love and respect for nature. Her first book, Under The Sea Wind, was published in 1941 and the text presents the tedious the practice of writing, typing, editing and publishing in that day, compared to the ease of computer editing today. The author states, she was mentally and physically spent after completing a book.
Her family life wasn’t easy due to loss and responsibility of an ageing mother and caring for her sisters very young son after she died of pneumonia. Rachel had her own health issues, one, a cyst/tumor in her breast that went untreated because her doctor lied to her saying it was benign and she needed no further treatment. Why? She speculated the doctor didn’t think a frail female could take bad news like that.

While I certainly enjoyed this quick read about Rachel Carson, I don’t think it will have a lot of appeal to middle school readers. I do think some may be impressed that she had a story published in a Children’s magazine at age 11.
The plus is the strength and stamina of a young woman foraging her way into a male dominated world.
Also I felt the end was very abrupt, but I think the book was meant to be short, highlighting the main aspects of Rachel Carson’s short life. I wonder what she would have contributed to this world had she lived past age 56.
The cover art is Beautiful.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal 👏🏾

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biggest problem with this books is the intended audience. At least to me it was marketed towards my elementary library, maybe it wasn't originally written with that intent but the publisher forced it down that road? Regardless I can't imagine many kids sitting down with this and taking much away. Felt more like something adults would get excited about and kids wouldn't have enough background knowledge to truly engage.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this wonderful novel in verse, we get a fictionalized account of the environmentalist and writer's whole life. There are lots of details about how she loved nature and writing, and a good overview of how she interacted with her family, including the death of her sister at a young age, which resulted in Carson having to help raise her nieces. I loved that she didn't think her sister should change her name when she got married! Carson is a fascinating historical figure; my daughter researched her for a wax museum in middle school, and I still have a can of air freshener somewhere with a paper lable that says "DDT" on it. I have several other books on Carson that don't circulate, so will probably pass on purchase. But how great is that cover?

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Rachel Carson before reading this beautiful novel in verse. What a remarkable life she lived. I am always inspired by stories of women who push against the social norms in history, so I could not put this book down. Looking forward to hopefully learning more about Rachel Carson!

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely chronicle of Rachel Carson’s life and the challenges she faced as a woman entering the male-dominated field of science. The story leads up to the publication of “Silent Spring.” My main criticism is the first person voice doesn’t change as Carson grows older. That said, children will benefit from the vision inspired for their own lives by this novel.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly stunning novel-in-verse for middle grade readers about Rachel Carson, one of the most important science writers of the last century who helped so many people see the inherent value of nature and our obligation to protect it as human beings.

It follows the path of a comprehensive biography from Rachel Carson's early life on a Pennsylvania farm through her education in a time when women were a relative rarity in the sciences to her popular writing and the profound effect it had on the nation through to her death from cancer. I think what makes this telling so special in that writing it as a novel rather than non-fiction, Ann E. Burg has imagined and shown us a deeply personal and emotional depiction of Carson that helps us better understand her approach to the natural world. Interspersing the narrative with "field notes" of observations really made me feel like I was out amongst the plants and animals with her.

It starts on the very first page with a young Carson watching a butterfly laying its eggs on a leaf. We feel the patience, the care for detail, the wonder of discovery as the reader and the caution from her mother when Carson reaches for the egg. "We must always leave nature as we find her, she says. Be patient. Something wonderful will happen." We see the weight born by her parents and siblings as they set aside their dreams in the face of war, pandemic, and economic crises just so they can survive and understand how that propels Carson to not only care for everyone else, but also care for herself to never let her dreams go. I keep going back to this passage:

"still, is it selfish for me to think
each person
deserves hopes and dreams
that belong to them alone?"

Wow. A lot of kids are going to relate to that.

The language throughout is vivid, energetic, and full of inspiring wonder in good times and quiets, coming in close as we experiences the many tragedies of Carson's life, becoming righteous again as we see her lied to about her cancer and denied adequate treatment until it was too late. Young readers are getting not only the full story of a life but the feelings of what it was like to experience those things. They'll see a real human being, just like them, fighting for change, and I can't wait to see what it inspires them to do. Highly recommend!!

Quotes in these notes are taken from an uncorrected proof. Thank you so much to the publisher for the chance to read early.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel in verse traces the life of Rachel Carson, from her childhood through college, graduate school and the publication of Silent Spring. The girl who labelled herself as quiet, lonely and friendless found solace in nature, and learned to observe the season’s changes and to write eloquently about what she saw. The poetic verse tells of the challenges of Carson’s young life: poverty, illness and disappointment dogged her family. It is wrenching to learn of her brother’s depression after returning from the war, her mother’s anger at her lost career, her father’s sad silence, and then to watch her sister and father and niece die of illnesses that may have stemmed from the pollution from nearby coal manufacturing near their home in Pennsylvania. Still, reading about her commitment to documenting the natural world through her writing, it is hard not to be impressed by Rachel Carson and her determination to make a career out of writing and science despite society’s doubt of women’s abilities. She did seminal work in environmental writing all while being the backbone of her family.

The beautiful writing is complemented by Blackall’s lovely, delicate ink drawings of the flora and fauna that so inspired Rachel Carson. It’s fascinating to read of Carson’s view that “literature is science,” which is beautifully reflected in the book’s elegant phrasings. Young readers will be floored to see the attitudes towards women in the sciences, (and about the doctors who were not honest with her about her cancer diagnosis until it was too late), and may be surprised about the early deaths of so many in her family, including Carson herself, at the age of 57.

This is a sad book, but I don’t know how the author could have portrayed all of the devastating losses in Carson’s life differently.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this subgenra of biographical fiction, but it does (should) lead to further reading on the subject to confirm facts.

pg67 "Field Note" Some people think/an orchard in winter/is a lonely thing,/rows of empty bare arms/shivering in the cold,/useless until Spring./ But trees are patient./ While the sun is soft/and the air is chill,/they too become quiet./In the solemn stillness,/trees grow stronger./ There are no broken dreams/here in the orchard,/for always the earth renews itself./ I take a quiet breath/and learn from nature./ I will wait as the trees wait./Despite the hopelessness/that surrounds me,/ I will continue to believe/in the promise of Spring."
[for Matt]

pg68 "... I will continue to believe/in my dreams/and someday/I will write away sadness/with words of beauty and hope."
[for me]

pg79 Advice from a teacher -- "It is not enough/to embrace knowledge/if we are not also willing/to use that knowledge/to benefit the world."

pg90 "Life should be about curiosity,/wonder and discovery --/not grades."
[Hear hear!!]

pg98 "A doomed dream/is a heavy burden."

pg99 "Society has a stranglehold/on my dreams./ If only I could change society/and the world!"
[Go Rachel!]

pg241 "A recent spraying of DDT/turned my beloved birds/into tiny corpses/with gaping bills/and splayed claws... When will man realize that he/is a PART of nature, not its master?"

pg270 "Calmly, truthfully/I will offer my witness/and repeat my warning./ Man's efforts to dominate nature/will only lead to ruin."

[Sarah Feuillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my daughter in her quest to read all 25 Golden Dome Award nominees this year (a Vermont librarian’s annual list of books for 4-7th graders.) She’s an avid reader but seeing as this one was written somewhat in verse I knew she’d find it a bit dry so I read it aloud. I’ll admit it felt slow at first. We are a family who spends a lot of time in nature but not necessarily appreciating it in the way that Rachel Carson (or as Ann E. Burg believes Rachel) did. But by the end of this book I feel like I’d not only gained knowledge of Rachel Carson herself, but also a slower, somewhat more intentional way of existing in nature. What good writing can stir in your soul!

We finished the last 75 pages in our front yard and both realized we were paying more attention to the bird song as a result of simply ready Burg’s book. I’ll be reading Silent Spring next. (Incidentally, I’ve been reading Ezra Klein’s new book, Abundance, concurrently. Very interesting to have Rachel’s name appear in that book while reading Force of Nature aloud to my daughter!)

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) was a biologist, writer and environmental activist whose writing spurred marine conservation and the environmental movement.

In Force of Nature, author Ann E. Burg introduces a new generation to the woman behind Under the Sea-Wind, The Sea Around Us, The Edge of the Sea and Silent Spring.

A novel-in-verse, Force of Nature is both restrained and expansive. Burg’s lyrical prose brings you in and invites you to stay. Burg’s short sentences and chapters are graceful and accessible, making it a good choice for both classroom or individual reading.

Burg captures Carson’s love for nature and her family with a warm touch, giving readers a true sense of Carson’s drive and personality. Accompanying art by Sophie Blackall gives the feel of a journal or field notebook. It’s a lovely read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I was bummed not to get this in my ALAN conference box, but I ended up buying it for the library anyway :) I've loved Rachel Carson since I learned about who she was in college, so I look forward to having this in the library to recommend. This novel in verse was subtle and introspective while also being beautiful and moving. The beauty of nature is interspersed well with Carson's (quite challenging) life. I loved the process of her discovering that she could combine her loves for writing and science. It's such a shame that she died fairly young. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is that I've read other novels in verse where I think the verse style is more successful. It still worked well, but I've just read some that were better. If you like nature, environmentalism, or just novels in verse, definitely check this out!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.
Rachel Louise Carson held all of her mother's hopes and dreams, ever since their nature walks in Springdale, Pennsylvania. As everyone else in her life moves through their disappointments, Rachel discovers a passion for writing and then in college, biology. She soon becomes the breadwinner for her sickly family, abandoning her dreams of a doctorate as she works for the Department of Fishing and Wildlife. This combines her talent for words and her passion for biology that leads to her publication of many biological works. It is easy to identify with Rachel as she fights the conventions of the time to carve out a place in the world on her own terms.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fictional novel in verse based on Rachel Carson’s life is interesting and I learned a lot about her life. It starts with her in 5th grade but the majority of the story is based on her adult life. I struggled a little with who the audience is for this book. The writing is lovely and it shares Carson’s love for nature and the environment. I am not sure how it will hit with a middle school crowd. I did like the way her challenges were highlighted and how she overcame them. Her life had a lot more tragedy in it so it is even more impressive how much she wrote and pursued her dreams. There are lots of great takeaways as an adult reader. I hope students can find pieces they love as well. No swears, no violence, death of loved ones. 6th grade and up.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific biography (in verse) of environmental author and scientist Rachel Carson. The best biographies make us more curious about their subjects. I finished this book wanting to know even more about Carson's life and writing. I also left with deep respect for female scientists like Carson who paved the way for others who followed. The biography tracks her experiences from childhood through adulthood, the financial insecurities and illnesses that affected her and her family, and her abiding concerns about the damaging effects of pesticides. Burg also includes wonderful brief field notes that convey Carson's keen eye and her respect for the natural world. (Lots of interdisciplinary teaching possibilities with this one).