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The Monarchs of Winghaven
Young naturalist Sammie loves to do field research in a special stretch of wilderness in the suburbs—but now she must protect it. Science and heart combine in this engaging story.
Sammie, a budding naturalist, knows of a secret and wonderful Winghaven, an abandoned lot in the middle of the suburbs where wildlife flourishes. She spends hours making notes and drawings in her meticulous field journal. When Bram, a new boy, turns up with his camera, Sammie worries he’ll give away her hidden haven—after all, the other boys at school bully her. But Bram is a scientist like Sammie, and together they observe tiny pond creatures, a pileated woodpecker with a red crest like a pirate’s bandana, and thriving monarch butterflies whose habitats are becoming scarce. When Sammie and Bram discover bright flagging tape encircling the trees, they learn Winghaven is in danger from a local developer—and it’s going to take courage, spirit, and science to save it. This beautifully written story, full of details about the natural world, includes Sammie’s field illustrations as well as real-life notes on keeping a nature journal, studying monarchs, and bird-watching.
Sammie, a budding naturalist, knows of a secret and wonderful Winghaven, an abandoned lot in the middle of the suburbs where wildlife flourishes. She spends hours making notes and drawings in her meticulous field journal. When Bram, a new boy, turns up with his camera, Sammie worries he’ll give away her hidden haven—after all, the other boys at school bully her. But Bram is a scientist like Sammie, and together they observe tiny pond creatures, a pileated woodpecker with a red crest like a pirate’s bandana, and thriving monarch butterflies whose habitats are becoming scarce. When Sammie and Bram discover bright flagging tape encircling the trees, they learn Winghaven is in danger from a local developer—and it’s going to take courage, spirit, and science to save it. This beautifully written story, full of details about the natural world, includes Sammie’s field illustrations as well as real-life notes on keeping a nature journal, studying monarchs, and bird-watching.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2024
7 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Naila Moreira
2 books11 followersNaila Moreira is a writer, poet, essayist and journalist.
Her forthcoming middle-grade novel THE MONARCHS OF WINGHAVEN (Walker Books US, 2024) follows the adventures of two budding naturalists as they fight to save a plot of wilderness in their town, recording their natural history observations in illustrated journal pages throughout. She's also the author of the poetry chapbook WATER STREET (Finishing Line Press, 2017), winner of the New England Poetry Club Jean Pedrick Prize.
She has worked as a geologist, newspaper journalist, environmental consultant, aquarium docent and college lecturer. A graduate of Amherst College, she earned her Ph.D. in geology at the University of Michigan. She teaches at Smith College.
Her forthcoming middle-grade novel THE MONARCHS OF WINGHAVEN (Walker Books US, 2024) follows the adventures of two budding naturalists as they fight to save a plot of wilderness in their town, recording their natural history observations in illustrated journal pages throughout. She's also the author of the poetry chapbook WATER STREET (Finishing Line Press, 2017), winner of the New England Poetry Club Jean Pedrick Prize.
She has worked as a geologist, newspaper journalist, environmental consultant, aquarium docent and college lecturer. A graduate of Amherst College, she earned her Ph.D. in geology at the University of Michigan. She teaches at Smith College.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 23 reviews
October 4, 2024
We grow milkweed for monarchs and raise caterpillars indoors, so I was pretty excited about this book. It started out fairly promising. Sammie and her new friend are passionate about nature. I appreciated the rich vocabulary and interesting details about how scientific studies are designed.
But the plot just didn’t progress, spinning around several conflicts. It was unclear even at 95% of the books what the main plot was, and the book was just too long.
Kids who love nature might not mind the lack of direction, but it’s not strong enough for me to broadly recommend.
But the plot just didn’t progress, spinning around several conflicts. It was unclear even at 95% of the books what the main plot was, and the book was just too long.
Kids who love nature might not mind the lack of direction, but it’s not strong enough for me to broadly recommend.
May 20, 2024
A beautiful children's story about to preteen kids who find a special friendship in nature.
April 13, 2024
This was so cute! I love the friendship between Sammie and Bram. It’s incredible to have a friendship that you completely understand and can relate to one another on a deeper level. I loved seeing Sammie’s illustrations of their days in Winghaven! It makes me wish I had a special place like they do.
Thank you to Candlewick Press for allowing me to get an early copy of this book. It made my heart so happy! I recommend it to anyone especially any child that enjoys nature and animals.
Thank you to Candlewick Press for allowing me to get an early copy of this book. It made my heart so happy! I recommend it to anyone especially any child that enjoys nature and animals.
March 22, 2024
Thank you @candlewickpress @walkerbooksus for this gifted copy. My 👦🏻 enjoyed it!
👦🏻 reviews: while reading I feel a bit of Carl Hiassen and the conservation of nature and environment. It’s really an awesome book about preservation and what Sammie and Bram are doing to help preserve the monarchs. When I was in preschool, my mom told me that our preschool had a field trip to a monarch butterfly farm and I was so excited and fascinated with them. I can relate to Sammie and Bram and their obsession to save Winghaven. A great book!
👦🏻 reviews: while reading I feel a bit of Carl Hiassen and the conservation of nature and environment. It’s really an awesome book about preservation and what Sammie and Bram are doing to help preserve the monarchs. When I was in preschool, my mom told me that our preschool had a field trip to a monarch butterfly farm and I was so excited and fascinated with them. I can relate to Sammie and Bram and their obsession to save Winghaven. A great book!
April 8, 2025
This is a good conservation book that gives middle grade students some agency around standing up for what they believe in. I liked it and I thought the main character, while a little hot-headed or whiny, was probably pretty accurate to the age. I liked this one quite a bit.
December 16, 2023
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Fifth grader Sammie's family has moved to a new town in New England for her father's job, and she is sad that she is no longer near a nature center, and also that her mother is now working all the time. For solace, she spends a lot of time in The Field, the property attached to an abandoned house. She wants to be a biologist when she grows up, so keeps detailed notes and drawings about the natural phenomenon she observes. When her mother tells her that she will be spending the summer at a camp with her schoolmates, Sammie is devastated. She would rather be alone, and even brushed off an attempt by a girl in her class to hang out with them. She especially dislikes Robert, who is a bit of a bully but also has a troubled homelife. When she meets a boy, Bram, in The Field, she is NOT happy, especially when he wants to see her notebook. He is a bird watcher, and takes photos of things, and has just moved to town because of his father's job. Sammie eventually warms to him after she falls into the creek, and his mother is kind enough to help her out. Bram is even allowed to have cookies without asking, which is the basis for many a tween friendship. The two have a small falling out when Sammie talks to Pete, a graduate student who is researching the birds in the area, but when the two are asked to help with a Christmas bird count, Bram decides that Pete isn't all bad. As the year progresses, there are some changes to the field, which they name Winghaven. The local Audubon society is interested in the area as well, and there is a lot of milkweed that has attracted those interested in Monarch butterflies, so when the property is covertly sold to a housing developer, Sammie is able to get the newspaper interested in the story. It doesn't look like Sammie and Bram, with Robert's help, will be able to prevail, but when Pete attends the meeting, and is now working for the Nature Conservancy, a satisfactory ending is possible. Winghaven is saved, and becomes a wildlife sanctuary so that the town can continue to enjoy the wildlife.
Elementary students who are very interested in biology and outdoor pursuits will be sympathetic to Sammie's love of nature, her sensitivity to saving as many creatures as she can (even hydras in pond water!), and her desire to see a beloved natural area saved. Her friendship with Bram is good to see, although it is not surprising that she has trouble making friends at school if she tells well meaning classmates that she would rather be alone.
The parents are involved in realistic ways, and Sammie even gets permission to stay with Bram and his mom Vicky, who is an artist who works from home, instead of going to the summer camp. The brief look into graduate work, the Audubon society, and town politics also gives young readers a taste of the larger world.
This is a good choice for readers who like a good science based story like McDunn's When Sea Becomes Sky, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, or Hurwitz's Hello From Renn Lake.
I will probably pass on purchase, since I have trouble getting my readers to pick up the birding titles that I already have, but I would definitely purchase this for an elementary school library.
Fifth grader Sammie's family has moved to a new town in New England for her father's job, and she is sad that she is no longer near a nature center, and also that her mother is now working all the time. For solace, she spends a lot of time in The Field, the property attached to an abandoned house. She wants to be a biologist when she grows up, so keeps detailed notes and drawings about the natural phenomenon she observes. When her mother tells her that she will be spending the summer at a camp with her schoolmates, Sammie is devastated. She would rather be alone, and even brushed off an attempt by a girl in her class to hang out with them. She especially dislikes Robert, who is a bit of a bully but also has a troubled homelife. When she meets a boy, Bram, in The Field, she is NOT happy, especially when he wants to see her notebook. He is a bird watcher, and takes photos of things, and has just moved to town because of his father's job. Sammie eventually warms to him after she falls into the creek, and his mother is kind enough to help her out. Bram is even allowed to have cookies without asking, which is the basis for many a tween friendship. The two have a small falling out when Sammie talks to Pete, a graduate student who is researching the birds in the area, but when the two are asked to help with a Christmas bird count, Bram decides that Pete isn't all bad. As the year progresses, there are some changes to the field, which they name Winghaven. The local Audubon society is interested in the area as well, and there is a lot of milkweed that has attracted those interested in Monarch butterflies, so when the property is covertly sold to a housing developer, Sammie is able to get the newspaper interested in the story. It doesn't look like Sammie and Bram, with Robert's help, will be able to prevail, but when Pete attends the meeting, and is now working for the Nature Conservancy, a satisfactory ending is possible. Winghaven is saved, and becomes a wildlife sanctuary so that the town can continue to enjoy the wildlife.
Elementary students who are very interested in biology and outdoor pursuits will be sympathetic to Sammie's love of nature, her sensitivity to saving as many creatures as she can (even hydras in pond water!), and her desire to see a beloved natural area saved. Her friendship with Bram is good to see, although it is not surprising that she has trouble making friends at school if she tells well meaning classmates that she would rather be alone.
The parents are involved in realistic ways, and Sammie even gets permission to stay with Bram and his mom Vicky, who is an artist who works from home, instead of going to the summer camp. The brief look into graduate work, the Audubon society, and town politics also gives young readers a taste of the larger world.
This is a good choice for readers who like a good science based story like McDunn's When Sea Becomes Sky, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, or Hurwitz's Hello From Renn Lake.
I will probably pass on purchase, since I have trouble getting my readers to pick up the birding titles that I already have, but I would definitely purchase this for an elementary school library.
June 13, 2024
Sammie recently moved, and was not happy until she discovered a seemingly vast (from descriptions) "empty" lot full of woods and fields where she can be a naturalist to her heart's content--so long as her mother doesn't know she's going there, because she's supposed to go right home after school. But her mother doesn't understand--in fact, almost no one understands--what nature means to Sammie. She can't not go. Then she meets Bram, a boy a year older than her, and he turns out to be a scientist too, though he uses his camera instead of drawing, as Sammie does. Together they explore the area they start calling Winghaven, and eventually decide to do a study of monarch butterflies when they hear they are endangered because milkweed is getting harder for them to find. Over the course of a year they explore Winghaven, often with the help of a recent college grad who is a naturalist, but it seems there's always someone who wants to pave paradise. Can Sammie and Bram find a way to save it?
There aren't enough books for nature-loving kids, so they will welcome this one. Sammie loves all kinds of nature, from plants to animals to birds to bugs and every kind of habitat there is, and documents them in her nature diary, some pages of which are included in the book (and some of Bram's photos, too). The descriptions of nature and Winghaven are wonderful, and make you wish you could visit. The plot is a bit predictable, though--I knew for 100% sure that developers would threaten Winghaven, which of course they did. I also got a little frustrated with Bram and Sammie's friendship, which was often made of prickles and secrets. Some of the other relationships in the book seemed sort of awkwardly inserted, as if the author wanted to be sure the book wasn't just about Winghaven. For me, it could have been. The second half of the book felt kind of rushed, as it went through nine months of the year. But I did love the descriptions of Winghaven, which brought to mind Anne of Green Gables' descriptions of PEI, or the Melendy children's explorations of the countryside around their home. There's an old-fashioned, slow summer feel to it that I wish more books had. So, recommended. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
There aren't enough books for nature-loving kids, so they will welcome this one. Sammie loves all kinds of nature, from plants to animals to birds to bugs and every kind of habitat there is, and documents them in her nature diary, some pages of which are included in the book (and some of Bram's photos, too). The descriptions of nature and Winghaven are wonderful, and make you wish you could visit. The plot is a bit predictable, though--I knew for 100% sure that developers would threaten Winghaven, which of course they did. I also got a little frustrated with Bram and Sammie's friendship, which was often made of prickles and secrets. Some of the other relationships in the book seemed sort of awkwardly inserted, as if the author wanted to be sure the book wasn't just about Winghaven. For me, it could have been. The second half of the book felt kind of rushed, as it went through nine months of the year. But I did love the descriptions of Winghaven, which brought to mind Anne of Green Gables' descriptions of PEI, or the Melendy children's explorations of the countryside around their home. There's an old-fashioned, slow summer feel to it that I wish more books had. So, recommended. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
December 17, 2023
Sammie loves nature and the science found in the great outdoors. She has found a special place near her new home. It is a great open field with some woods and a pond that is filled with birds and bugs and all kinds of flora and fauna, and it is largely untouched. But her mother says she isn’t supposed to go there on her own. It could be dangerous. Still, Sammie hasn’t made friends at her new school and a bully is targeting her, so going to the field where she studies nature and makes drawings and notes in her notebooks is especially important to her. She loves her time there, even if she has to hide what she’s doing from her parents. Then one day, someone else is there. It is a boy with a camera, a loud, brash boy who is invading her special place. But over time, Sammie and Bram become friends. They name this special place Winghaven and swear it will be their place and their secret. But other people find their way there including the bully from school and a real naturalist from the university. Most importantly, a developer wants to invade! Can Sammie and Bram save Winghaven, not just for themselves, but for all the wildlife there?
Naila Moreira has written a compelling novel middle-graders (and others!) will enjoy and be inspired by. The characters are very well-rounded and realistically flawed. There are times in the book that Sammie is not a very likable character, but she is always real. There are important issues addressed in the story, issues young people care about, and there are realistic ways the characters address those issues, gaining some wins, which is pretty inspirational for young readers. The writing is lovely, the setting is terrific and nearly becomes a character, and the story will keep pages turning. This is an important book and deserves wide readership. I wrote this review for my blog at https://rosihollinbeck.com/blog/
Naila Moreira has written a compelling novel middle-graders (and others!) will enjoy and be inspired by. The characters are very well-rounded and realistically flawed. There are times in the book that Sammie is not a very likable character, but she is always real. There are important issues addressed in the story, issues young people care about, and there are realistic ways the characters address those issues, gaining some wins, which is pretty inspirational for young readers. The writing is lovely, the setting is terrific and nearly becomes a character, and the story will keep pages turning. This is an important book and deserves wide readership. I wrote this review for my blog at https://rosihollinbeck.com/blog/
February 18, 2025
This is a lovely book about nature, friendships, and growing into who you really are. A wonderful story for all ages.
Sammie is alone in her world, preferring the company of bugs to people. She discovers a beautiful undeveloped piece of land she can explore as an amateur naturalist. One day her peaceful world is interrupted by Bram, a new boy in town who likes to take pictures of the natural landscape. Not wanting to share her special place at first, Sammie and Bram soon form a wonderful friendship around the shared goal of counting the monarchs for a science project.
They discover many things about their field and about themselves. They meet some amazing people along the way (Pete, we love you!)
Soon their peaceful friendship is threatened by developers, enemies turned friends, and family choices that will take them across the country.
This was not a fast paced story, but the many twists and turns and challenges along the way just keep you reading. And, seriously, Pete, we love you! Bram and Sammie, too.
Sammie is alone in her world, preferring the company of bugs to people. She discovers a beautiful undeveloped piece of land she can explore as an amateur naturalist. One day her peaceful world is interrupted by Bram, a new boy in town who likes to take pictures of the natural landscape. Not wanting to share her special place at first, Sammie and Bram soon form a wonderful friendship around the shared goal of counting the monarchs for a science project.
They discover many things about their field and about themselves. They meet some amazing people along the way (Pete, we love you!)
Soon their peaceful friendship is threatened by developers, enemies turned friends, and family choices that will take them across the country.
This was not a fast paced story, but the many twists and turns and challenges along the way just keep you reading. And, seriously, Pete, we love you! Bram and Sammie, too.
February 1, 2025
Contemporary fiction for ages 8-12, this book contains line drawings and journal entries in each chapter from Sammie's nature journal. As a birder, I really enjoyed the many bird sightings and the Christmas Bird Count. Sammie, and to some degree her good friend, are a bit neurodivergent. She has trouble making friends and is "single-minded" about her interest in being a naturalist. She would rather be alone. Her struggles with "regular" kids are well-written, often with her physical sensations as part of the description. Her struggles with her mom and other kids progress and change throughout the book, and there's growth all around. This may not be for everyone, but definitely children who like nature and science. Lovely and uplifting. Great environmental message and excellent author's notes at the end.
May 18, 2024
This is a wonderful middle grade about two kids who are newer to town who find each other in an abandoned field that is also a great "nature center." Sammie wants to be a nature scientist and she keeps a detailed nature journal (whose pages we get to see). Bram is a year older and he's into nature photography, a few of whose pictures we also get to see. Together they meet up with a natural sciences PhD student who guides their summer work of counting and recording monarch butterflies on the field's many milkweed plants. Their work becomes coincidentally critical to their town by the end of the book. Satisfying and a great way to learn about the natural world and the critical support kids can give to each other and the natural world.
January 26, 2025
I was not a “naturalist” kind of kid, but as an adult who is so interested in nature, this book really spoke to me. Two middle schoolers, a boy and a girl, meet in a vacant property near their houses, both independently recording nature in their own way. There was a cool amount of scientific facts and also a decent amount of a conservation message. This book was entertaining and an excellent story. I will eagerly recommend this book to students 3rd grade and above.
June 11, 2024
the plot path seemed kind of predictable, but i know there are readers that will enjoy this eco-saving book. the title is also interesting to me because, even though the plot includes a lot about the monarch butterfly, Sammie is more of a general naturalist and i think she was more a birding enthusiast.
June 19, 2024
Beautiful book (the physical copy is lovely from the hard case design to the paper, and it's full of illustrations by the author) with lyrical writing (the author is a poet! and it shows). A wonderful read for budding naturalists. A great work of eco-fiction, which the planet currently needs more of.
June 22, 2024
I enjoyed this one, and so wish there had been books like this when I was that weird nature kid. My one quibble is that while they do mention that birds’ nests are illegal to possess in the text, feathers are mentioned twice, and those aren’t addressed until the additional information in the back.
Up from 3.5 stars.
Up from 3.5 stars.
November 2, 2024
I listened to the Audio Book, narrated by Kate Coventry - I hope Goodreads can add her name to the record for this edition.
I thought the descriptions of the wildlife and environment were wonderful. As an adult, I didn't love the story, but it was OK. I think kids, especially those interested in nature, might enjoy it.
I thought the descriptions of the wildlife and environment were wonderful. As an adult, I didn't love the story, but it was OK. I think kids, especially those interested in nature, might enjoy it.
May 18, 2025
Honestly my thought on this book were good and bad Sammie as the main character makes the book interesting with her best friend Bram but I really don’t like how Bram just has to move suddenly at the end of the book and Pete got a job all the way in Washington DC and leaving Sammie on her own , so let’s be realistic no one wants that kind of ending at a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2024
Awesome I like when Pete comes running in when they are at the council meeting. And when he invited them to the Christmas 🎄bird 🦉 symposium and the end when they decide that they can use it for a nature preserve🐻🦅🦋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2025
Wonderful read! Text is full of ink sketches to enhance the story. Great information about the monarch butterfly, and their endangered status.
August 13, 2024
The author visited my school last year & gave away this amazing gem of a book to each of our 6th graders. I loved learning with Sammie & Bram, young naturalists who shared a deep love for nature.
September 12, 2024
In the captivating pages of "The Monarchs of Winghaven" by Naila Moreira, we embark on an enchanting journey alongside a spirited young naturalist named Sammie. Sammie has always had a profound connection with nature. As she navigates the transformative adventures of childhood and friendship, she discovers the importance of being a responsible steward of our planet. Through her passion for observing and documenting the majestic Monarch butterflies together with her new-found friend Bram, she learns invaluable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and making a difference in the world.
Moreira's writing style is warm and inviting, immersing us in Sammie's and Bram’s world and inspiring us to embrace our own inner naturalist. With its relatable characters, engaging storylines, and practical tips for young explorers, this book fosters a love of nature and science while nurturing a sense of responsibility and empathy.
As the two kids encounter challenges and learn to speak up for what they believe in, they inspire us to find our own voices and stand up for the causes we care about. Their determination and resilience encourage us to face our fears and never give up on our dreams. Through Sammie's adventures, we witness the transformative power of friendship and the unbreakable bonds that unite us. The story celebrates the importance of having a support system and reminds us that together, we can overcome any obstacle.
"The Monarchs of Winghaven" is not merely a book; it's a guidebook for young hearts, empowering them to explore the wonders of the natural world and embrace their role as responsible citizens. It leaves a lasting impression, encouraging us to live lives filled with purpose, kindness, and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
"The Monarchs of Winghaven" is a must-read for young readers interested in exploring themes of nature, friendship, and personal growth. Its message of empowerment and environmental awareness will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding them of the importance of their voices and the impact they can have on the world around them.
Moreira's writing style is warm and inviting, immersing us in Sammie's and Bram’s world and inspiring us to embrace our own inner naturalist. With its relatable characters, engaging storylines, and practical tips for young explorers, this book fosters a love of nature and science while nurturing a sense of responsibility and empathy.
As the two kids encounter challenges and learn to speak up for what they believe in, they inspire us to find our own voices and stand up for the causes we care about. Their determination and resilience encourage us to face our fears and never give up on our dreams. Through Sammie's adventures, we witness the transformative power of friendship and the unbreakable bonds that unite us. The story celebrates the importance of having a support system and reminds us that together, we can overcome any obstacle.
"The Monarchs of Winghaven" is not merely a book; it's a guidebook for young hearts, empowering them to explore the wonders of the natural world and embrace their role as responsible citizens. It leaves a lasting impression, encouraging us to live lives filled with purpose, kindness, and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
"The Monarchs of Winghaven" is a must-read for young readers interested in exploring themes of nature, friendship, and personal growth. Its message of empowerment and environmental awareness will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding them of the importance of their voices and the impact they can have on the world around them.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 23 reviews