Riverkeeper: Protecting an American River

Books for a Better Earth

by Nancy Castaldo

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

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Nancy Castaldo has written award-winning books about our planet for over 25 years from New York’s Hudson Valley. Her love of reading and writing outdoors began in her childhood. Her curiosity led her to study science. As an environmental educator and photographer, Nancy combined all of her 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.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like Nancy Castaldo has offered a recipe for the care of all rivers as she relates this story of the history and importance of the Hudson River. She starts with the early years, from Indigenous people to the changes that occur when European settlers arrive and live there, continuing into the 20th century when this waterway is terribly polluted. The mid-century finds people finally beginning to notice, when the Riverkeeper program is created. Things improve, are shown in photos and explanations, and a wealth of information at the end. This includes a Hudson River timeline, River celebrations throughout the US during the year, a Hudson River timeline, a list of rivers in every state, and more.
An author's note, a gorgeouis photo of the river, a map, and Hudson River stats open the book!

Thanks to Holiday House for my copy!

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riverkeeper is a celebration of the activism and accomplishments of advocates for improving the health of the Hudson River in New York State. The book begins with the current beauty of the Hudson River and the many ways people enjoy this natural resource, which stretches over 315 miles. The current Riverkeeper organization, the first of its kind in the United States, has inspired hundreds of other organizations like it around the country and the world. While every river is different, the Hudson is celebrated for its unique characteristics such as its tidal nature and the way it changes with the seasons. Important terms such as headwaters and watershed are explained and defined in depth. The role of activists in cleaning up pollution and advocating for testing, legislation, and the closing of inactive dams is explored in depth from singer/activist Pete Seeger in the 1960s and 1970s to the Riverkeeper organization today. The book concludes with efforts to give rivers in the United States personhood to ensure further protections. Ultimately, this is a masterful nonfiction book that shows how civic action can save a habitat and how collective effort can protect nature. 

Throughout the book, high quality photographs, illustrations, and maps add context and meaning to the text. 

Includes TONS of backmatter including an author’s note, a long list of suggested resources, a timeline, a list of rivers by state, a list of waterkeeper organizations by state (we have three in Massachusetts, including one prominent one in my region, Buzzards Bay Coalition!), a glossary, a bibliography, source notes, photo credits, and an index. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book about the Hudson River, readers are made aware of the incredible history and importance of this waterway. The book brings readers along through this history, from Indigeous peoples to European settler’s impact on the river. Things turn dire for the water system when industry and other sources cause destructive pollution. Finally, in the 1960’s, people begin to take notice. By the first Earth Day in April 1970, people protest the situation and action is taken to restore the river. In 1983, the Riverkeeper program begins, and a designated team works to return the river to a healthy state. The author introduces members of the team along with specific actions taken such as removing an old damn, organizing clean-up operations, and scheduled water sampling tests. Further, the author discusses the future, both upcoming and current concerns and actions that can be done now to ensure the health and wellbeing of this important river. In a book full of information and colorful photographs, readers get an in-depth view of what a riverkeeper is and why it’s critical to be aware of what’s happening.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nancy Castaldo’s choice of subject matter and have followed her nature-for-kids writing career. This book is about the Hudson River Riverkeeper organization and what it does to help the river, from testing water, lobbying for dam removal, working with water scientists, giving kids STEM jobs relating to water and much more! The prose style is a bit clunky, but the information is just absolutely top notch. It is longer (70 pages), but it does an excellent job of sharing the importance of rivers and riverine ecosystems to us! There are 30 pages of back matter, mostly about getting kids connected with river organizations in their state! What a great title to get kids involved in a joyous way with the river! This book shares both the wins and losses over the lifetime of the nation's oldest Riverkeeper organization, giving kids perspective about how important persistence is in eco advocacy.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riverkeeper is a fascinating look at ecologically responsible efforts to improve the Hudson river and reestablish nature's balance. Readers can see in photographs (and text of course) just want an impact human have on the environment. Riverkeeper is pretty cool and an unexpected gem.

It makes you feel like that bag trash you collect when you're playing in the woods/at the shore/anywhere in nature does matter.

[Charlie Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would've liked this book a lot more if I didn't know about most of the things here. Mostly because I'm more to the liking of adventure books better than real books about rivers and things. So basically, this book is about a guy named Tracy Brown who starts a group to save rivers from getting polluted and they start picking up trash and reducing the salt in the Hudson River. So, I might as well give this a 3 star, for all the lil' kids out there.