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Make Way For Monarchs
Make Way For Monarchs, the third installment in the multi-award-winning Eco Warriors series, takes readers on a climate change–themed adventure with a girl who talks to animals.
Millions of orange-and-black monarch butterflies, exhausted after their long migration from the USA and Canada, are resting in the oyamel trees in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. As tween twin sisters Sydney and Sierra explore this unique high-elevation forest habitat, the butterflies, a trio of horses, and a cute little dog warn Sydney about the bad guys who are cutting down trees and endangering the monarchs.
Naturally Sydney seeks the advice of her science-savvy sister on how to assist the monarchs here in Mexico. However, Sierra wants to focus on projects that help the butterflies once they’ve migrated back into the USA. With mysterious drones and danger around every corner, the twins must figure out how to save the butterflies’ winter home and the migration route before it’s too late.
Millions of orange-and-black monarch butterflies, exhausted after their long migration from the USA and Canada, are resting in the oyamel trees in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. As tween twin sisters Sydney and Sierra explore this unique high-elevation forest habitat, the butterflies, a trio of horses, and a cute little dog warn Sydney about the bad guys who are cutting down trees and endangering the monarchs.
Naturally Sydney seeks the advice of her science-savvy sister on how to assist the monarchs here in Mexico. However, Sierra wants to focus on projects that help the butterflies once they’ve migrated back into the USA. With mysterious drones and danger around every corner, the twins must figure out how to save the butterflies’ winter home and the migration route before it’s too late.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
17 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Armstrong
4 books56 followersCarolyn Armstrong is the award-winning author of Earth-friendly middle grade fiction. A former educator and now an imperfect environmentalist, she blends her love of travel and animal well-being into her stories. She encourages everyone to become advocates for Planet Earth. It’s as easy as picking up trash and refusing a plastic drinking straw! Head to www.ckabooks.com for free activities, monthly newsletters, and blogs about writing, books, and sustainability.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 27, 2025
A beautiful story about two sisters with unique talents who fight to save the winter home of monarch butterflies. A gem!
September 19, 2025
Actual rating 4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I very much liked Carolyn Armstrong's Make Way for Monarchs. I should mention that I have not read books 1 and 2 of the series, but this 3rd novel certainly makes me want to read those to get even more background on Sydney and Sierra and their adventures with their parents to do their part in working to protect wildlife and the environment.
I really like the twin sisters, Sydney and Sierra - as motivated as they are on their ecological missions with their parents, they are also pretty traditional tween siblings who argue, get annoyed at each other and their parents, don't always do what they're told, and sometimes get into trouble even though they're trying to do the right thing; in other words, "normal" almost teens that Middle Grade readers will relate to quite well. I think giving each twin her own special skills and gifts is a great element: Sierra with her tech savvy skills and fact-based approach to problem solving, and Sydney with her "animal-speak" and empathetic bond to nature. Not only does this help readers differentiate between the characters, it also creates both authentic tensions between the sisters and organic plot elements to make the story more exciting and memorable.
Armstrong also provides thoughtful, well rounded, and caring adult characters, especially the twins' parents, that can encourage Middle Grade readers to seek out connections to the adults in their lives to help them with their own dreams and goals.
I was quite impressed with the details of the story that really lays out the complicated threats to the Monarch butterflies, the almost miraculous feat these butterflies accomplish during their migrations, and the small and big ways everyday people, including children, can get involved to help this threatened species. I know I will be planting milkweed in my garden to provide one of Sierra's Way stations!! I loved the information provided at the end of the book with conservation and other useful tips that anyone can do.
My 1/2 star deduction comes from a tiny concern that the rather dangerous situation Sydney and Sierra experience in their attempt to help the butterflies could lead some readers to "break the rules" and get into serious trouble that doesn't have the positive outcome the girls have in the book - the way that situation is resolved didn't ring as authentic to me as the rest of the story, and it could generate some misguided sense of safety to more impressionable readers.
Finally, I did like the way Armstrong weaved in Spanish "lessons," geographical and scientific facts, and a call for environmental conservation action in authentic, organic, non-preachy ways throughout the novel. As readers, we never lose the story through-line, and for Middle Graders, this is highly important. They won't absorb the message if they lose sight of the story and get bored.
Thanks to Carolyn Armstrong and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this Advance Review Copy for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.
I very much liked Carolyn Armstrong's Make Way for Monarchs. I should mention that I have not read books 1 and 2 of the series, but this 3rd novel certainly makes me want to read those to get even more background on Sydney and Sierra and their adventures with their parents to do their part in working to protect wildlife and the environment.
I really like the twin sisters, Sydney and Sierra - as motivated as they are on their ecological missions with their parents, they are also pretty traditional tween siblings who argue, get annoyed at each other and their parents, don't always do what they're told, and sometimes get into trouble even though they're trying to do the right thing; in other words, "normal" almost teens that Middle Grade readers will relate to quite well. I think giving each twin her own special skills and gifts is a great element: Sierra with her tech savvy skills and fact-based approach to problem solving, and Sydney with her "animal-speak" and empathetic bond to nature. Not only does this help readers differentiate between the characters, it also creates both authentic tensions between the sisters and organic plot elements to make the story more exciting and memorable.
Armstrong also provides thoughtful, well rounded, and caring adult characters, especially the twins' parents, that can encourage Middle Grade readers to seek out connections to the adults in their lives to help them with their own dreams and goals.
I was quite impressed with the details of the story that really lays out the complicated threats to the Monarch butterflies, the almost miraculous feat these butterflies accomplish during their migrations, and the small and big ways everyday people, including children, can get involved to help this threatened species. I know I will be planting milkweed in my garden to provide one of Sierra's Way stations!! I loved the information provided at the end of the book with conservation and other useful tips that anyone can do.
My 1/2 star deduction comes from a tiny concern that the rather dangerous situation Sydney and Sierra experience in their attempt to help the butterflies could lead some readers to "break the rules" and get into serious trouble that doesn't have the positive outcome the girls have in the book - the way that situation is resolved didn't ring as authentic to me as the rest of the story, and it could generate some misguided sense of safety to more impressionable readers.
Finally, I did like the way Armstrong weaved in Spanish "lessons," geographical and scientific facts, and a call for environmental conservation action in authentic, organic, non-preachy ways throughout the novel. As readers, we never lose the story through-line, and for Middle Graders, this is highly important. They won't absorb the message if they lose sight of the story and get bored.
Thanks to Carolyn Armstrong and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this Advance Review Copy for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2025
Do you know where butterflies go in the fall?
The monarch butterflies are heading from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico right now for wintering. To be exact, they long to rest at their home – the oyamel trees in the Sierra Madre mountains.
After making their 3,000-mile journey, they discover that their habitat in Mexico is under threat from deforestation and human activity. And to such a serious problem, all the answers Sydney has gotten from everyone are: “Un problema MUY complicado.” (A very complicated problem). She simply cannot sit around anymore and sets things into motion.
Sydney is in Mexico with her sister Sierra and her parents, all environmentalists in their own way. This is a very lovely middle grade travelogue, following Sydney on her mission to rescue the monarchs. I particularly enjoyed the scenery and the encounters with local people. I loved the steaming coffee! I also now have some ideas of what to order when one day I travel to Mexico: chilaquiles, conchas, and churros. And I won’t forget to tell the cook “¡Qué rica!” (How delicious!).
Like a cocoon transformed into a butterfly, Sydney grows up during the journey too. I, myself, am inspired by this fragile yet very capable monarch.
“Monarchs, known as the travelers, achieve the impossible. They are a symbol of growth, transformation, and resilience.”
This book reminded me of my absolute favourite, Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.
Thanks to Climate Kid Adventure, Carolyn Armstrong and Netgalley for the eARC of Make Way For Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong.
This book review was first published on 26 September 2025 at https://thejourney-writing.com/
The monarch butterflies are heading from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico right now for wintering. To be exact, they long to rest at their home – the oyamel trees in the Sierra Madre mountains.
After making their 3,000-mile journey, they discover that their habitat in Mexico is under threat from deforestation and human activity. And to such a serious problem, all the answers Sydney has gotten from everyone are: “Un problema MUY complicado.” (A very complicated problem). She simply cannot sit around anymore and sets things into motion.
Sydney is in Mexico with her sister Sierra and her parents, all environmentalists in their own way. This is a very lovely middle grade travelogue, following Sydney on her mission to rescue the monarchs. I particularly enjoyed the scenery and the encounters with local people. I loved the steaming coffee! I also now have some ideas of what to order when one day I travel to Mexico: chilaquiles, conchas, and churros. And I won’t forget to tell the cook “¡Qué rica!” (How delicious!).
Like a cocoon transformed into a butterfly, Sydney grows up during the journey too. I, myself, am inspired by this fragile yet very capable monarch.
“Monarchs, known as the travelers, achieve the impossible. They are a symbol of growth, transformation, and resilience.”
This book reminded me of my absolute favourite, Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.
Thanks to Climate Kid Adventure, Carolyn Armstrong and Netgalley for the eARC of Make Way For Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong.
This book review was first published on 26 September 2025 at https://thejourney-writing.com/
November 11, 2025
Carolyn Armstrong’s Make Way for Monarchs is a heartfelt and inspiring continuation of her Eco Warriors series, a beautiful blend of environmental awareness, adventure, and imagination.
Through the voices of twin sisters Sydney and Sierra, Armstrong takes readers deep into the lush forests of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains, where the breathtaking monarch migration becomes both a wonder and a warning. The story is not only about the magic of nature but also about courage, teamwork, and responsibility.
What makes this book so special is how seamlessly it connects young readers to real-world environmental issues. The adventure is thrilling, but it’s also deeply educational, reminding us that protecting nature begins with understanding it. Sydney’s ability to communicate with animals adds a gentle layer of magic, while Sierra’s scientific curiosity grounds the story in reality.
Through the voices of twin sisters Sydney and Sierra, Armstrong takes readers deep into the lush forests of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains, where the breathtaking monarch migration becomes both a wonder and a warning. The story is not only about the magic of nature but also about courage, teamwork, and responsibility.
What makes this book so special is how seamlessly it connects young readers to real-world environmental issues. The adventure is thrilling, but it’s also deeply educational, reminding us that protecting nature begins with understanding it. Sydney’s ability to communicate with animals adds a gentle layer of magic, while Sierra’s scientific curiosity grounds the story in reality.
November 13, 2025
Sierra and Sydney are sisters, and both are very gifted, but the resemblance ends there. On a hike to see the monarch butterflies in South America, the reader gets to see how the different talents of the two children complement their efforts for environment conservation.
Sydney is waiting to find out her role in helping the monarchs, but in the meantime, the girls and their parents are learning about amazing nature facts and the threats faced by this incredible ecosystem.
The story is very well suited to the readers in the target group, packaging the information and learning as part of the story telling. Sierra's facility with language also allows for the inclusion of a large number of Spanish words. This one gets a solid 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Sydney is waiting to find out her role in helping the monarchs, but in the meantime, the girls and their parents are learning about amazing nature facts and the threats faced by this incredible ecosystem.
The story is very well suited to the readers in the target group, packaging the information and learning as part of the story telling. Sierra's facility with language also allows for the inclusion of a large number of Spanish words. This one gets a solid 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 30, 2025
As both a teacher and a parent, I value stories that engage young people while asking them to think critically about the world they live in. Carolyn Armstrong writes beautifully in Make Way for Monarchs, blending adventure, mystery, and imagination with the very real challenges of climate change and conservation. This book opens a door for meaningful conversations between children, parents, and educators about responsibility, collaboration, and care for the Earth. Armstrong’s vivid storytelling helps young readers see themselves as part of the solution, reminding us all that literature can inspire both wonder and action.
September 21, 2025
Thank you Carolyn Armstrong, Climate Kid Adventure Books and NetGalley for a copy of *Make Way For Monarchs* in exchange for my honest review 🦋🧡
My tween and I read this book together and enjoyed every second! This story full of adventure, action, fun and wonder had us hooked from the very first page. The twins are clever, brave and lovable. Their differences make for such a great dynamic. The story is like a nature documentary mixed with an action movie, in the best possible way. It's fast-paced, heartwarming and magical. A wonderful read for all ages in our opinion!🧡
My tween and I read this book together and enjoyed every second! This story full of adventure, action, fun and wonder had us hooked from the very first page. The twins are clever, brave and lovable. Their differences make for such a great dynamic. The story is like a nature documentary mixed with an action movie, in the best possible way. It's fast-paced, heartwarming and magical. A wonderful read for all ages in our opinion!🧡
October 8, 2025
This book is a wonderful tale of resourcefulness and hope in a time where it can feel overwhelming to take a stand. The message from Seguro, the horse “do one thing “ should be the message we all take from this book.
While we can’t all travel to Mexico and watch the Monarch’s migration, author Carolyn Armstrong gives easy steps that the reader can take at home to make a difference. I feel this book would be a good assigned reading for an eco unit.
I would recommend this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
While we can’t all travel to Mexico and watch the Monarch’s migration, author Carolyn Armstrong gives easy steps that the reader can take at home to make a difference. I feel this book would be a good assigned reading for an eco unit.
I would recommend this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
October 12, 2025
“I came across Make Way for Monarchs through a book club placement service, and I’m so glad I did. This story absolutely glows with heart and purpose. Carolyn Armstrong doesn’t just tell a tale about two sisters and a butterfly migration she captures what it means to care deeply for the world around us. The mix of adventure, danger, and hope kept me turning pages long into the night. It reminded me how small actions, even from young voices, can lead to big change. A truly moving and unforgettable read.”
October 15, 2025
“We had such a great discussion about this one! Everyone in our group was amazed even me self I was amazed at how much we learned about monarch migration without ever feeling like we were reading a textbook. The story’s full of suspense, but it’s also filled with heart. The scenes with the drones and illegal logging really opened our eyes to how fragile these ecosystems are. Armstrong has such a warm, cinematic way of writing we could all picture the mountains and butterflies as if we were there.”
October 15, 2025
“Our book club picked Make Way for Monarchs because we wanted something meaningful yet fun and it delivered. We all loved the mix of real science and heartfelt storytelling. The image of millions of monarchs resting in the Sierra Madre forests was just breathtaking. Sydney and Sierra felt like real girls curious, brave, and sometimes unsure of what’s right and that made their journey even more relatable. This is the kind of book that sparks real conversation about the world we live in. Five glowing stars.”
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November 8, 2025Make Way for Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong is an exciting and heartwarming eco-adventure. Twin sisters Sydney and Sierra visit Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains, where millions of monarch butterflies rest after their long migration. When the butterflies’ forest home is threatened by deforestation and mysterious drones, the sisters must work together to protect them. Sydney can talk to animals, adding a magical touch, while Sierra uses science and logic. Full of adventure, teamwork, and a strong message about caring for nature, this book shows that even small actions can make a big difference.
November 11, 2025
Any budding environmentalist will love Sydney and her ability to talk to animals. Sydney's quest to save the monarchs' trees in Mexico is laced with fascinating monarch facts. I also appreciate that while those cutting down the trees are definitely the Bad Guys, Armstrong does note the economic forces that lead people to take such action. As is often repeated in the story, "It's complicated." Kids can deal with nuanced situations, and most environmental issues are quite nuanced. I can see kids who love animals and the environment gobbling up this tale.
November 20, 2025
The author creates vivid characters and a compelling story line that is suspenseful, engaging and empowering for tweens. It is part fantasy, with the protagonist Sydney’s ability to communicate with animals, and part scientific, with her brainiac twin sister Sierra sharing amazing facts about the Monarch Butterfly. The reader is drawn into the mystery of who is killing the Monarch Butterflies and roots for the tweens as they search for ways to help. I can’t wait for my grandchildren to read it!
September 16, 2025
Make Way For Monarchs hooked me from the first scene in the Sierra Madre forests. It’s got that adventurous, cinematic energy where you can almost see the butterflies in slow motion and hear the danger creeping closer. The twin dynamic feels authentic one science minded, the other heart driven and that push and pull kept the story lively. It’s equal parts action and wonder, with an eco message that doesn’t feel heavy handed
September 18, 2025
Absolutely, totally, completely, and incredibly incredible! This book is epic, adventurous, fun, heartfilling, educational, and brilliant all at once! My whole family was totally mesmerized, thrilled, and cheering from start to finish. Carolyn Armstrong is the definitive master of children’s adventure fiction!
Total perfection, absolute genius, and unmatchable masterpiece! This is the most incredible, amazing,
Total perfection, absolute genius, and unmatchable masterpiece! This is the most incredible, amazing,
October 8, 2025
I saw Make Way for Monarchs mentioned in a book club, and at first, I wondered if it would really be that interesting since it’s nonfiction-themed. I clicked on it, started reading, and me and my child absolutely loved it! The story is beautiful, full of heart and adventure, and the message about caring for the earth really touched us. Carolyn Armstrong did such a great job with this book can’t wait to read more from her!
October 24, 2025
By the time we finished, everyone in our group felt a genuine emotional connection to this story. It’s about butterflies, yes, but also about hope, courage, and listening to nature. Sydney’s relationship with her sister Sierra felt authentic and touching two girls trying to make sense of a complicated world in their own ways. The ending left us all smiling and talking about what we could do locally to help the planet. Five stars from every single one of us.
November 11, 2025
Carolyn Armstrong brings the magic of the monarchs to life with such warmth and sincerity. I loved how Sydney and Sierra’s courage shines through as they face danger and learn what it truly means to protect something fragile and important. The environmental message is powerful yet gentle, something young readers can feel and understand. The story carries that rare mix of adventure, emotion, and purpose that deserves to reach a wider audience.
November 20, 2025
Make Way For Monarchs is a heartfelt, fast-paced story that blends adventure, mystery, and environmental awareness. The twin sisters, Sydney and Sierra, bring unique strengths to the mission to protect monarch butterflies in the Sierra Madre Mountains. With vivid descriptions, suspenseful moments, and an inspiring message about conservation, Carolyn Armstrong delivers a powerful and memorable read perfect for young eco-heroes and nature lovers.
September 16, 2025
Absolutely mind billowingly, unbelievably, incredibly amazing! Carolyn Armstrong has created a total masterpiece of a book that will absolutely captivate, thrill, and inspire every single reader. I am completely and utterly blown away by her creativity, her storytelling, and the way she makes the butterflies and twins come alive
September 16, 2025
This book is totally, absolutely, incredibly fantastic, stunning, and unforgettable! Every single page is brimming with excitement, adventure, and heart, and my kids were totally glued to the pages, cheering, gasping, and laughing from start to finish! Carolyn Armstrong is an absolute genius, a master storyteller, and a true literary hero
September 16, 2025
I loved following Sydney and Sierra, the twin sisters with such different personalities but a shared love for the natural world. Sydney’s ability to talk with animals brings a wonderful touch of magic, while Sierra’s science-based approach makes the story feel grounded and educational. Together, they make a perfect team that shows readers the power of curiosity, courage, and teamwork
September 16, 2025
Wow! Just wow! I am totally, completely, and utterly amazed at how brilliant this story is. It is incredibly heartwarming, deeply moving, and exhilaratingly fun all at once. The twins are heroic, adorable, clever, and brilliant, and the butterflies practically fly off the page in a spectacular, stunning, mesmerizing display of beauty and wonder,
September 16, 2025
Make Way For Monarchs has that perfect mix of fun and urgency. There are moments of wonder millions of butterflies filling the sky and moments of genuine danger that had me flipping pages quickly. It reminded me of a nature documentary blended with an adventure film. It’s smart, fast paced, and delivers its environmental message with heart.
September 16, 2025
There’s a real sense of urgency in Make Way For Monarchs that pulled me through from start to finish. Between the mysterious drones, the loggers, and the sisters’ race to save the butterflies, there’s never a dull moment. Carolyn Armstrong balances high stakes adventure with genuine heart, making you care about both the characters and the monarchs they’re fighting for
September 18, 2025
Make Way For Monarchs drew me in right away with its vivid setting in the Sierra Madre. The descriptions of the oyamel forest and swarms of butterflies are so cinematic you can picture every scene. The tension with the drones and loggers keeps the pace sharp, and the sisterly banter gives the story a heart that makes you root for them.
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September 18, 2025This book has the kind of energy that makes it hard to put down. The twins are caught between science and instinct, and that conflict feels real while the stakes rise around them. The blend of danger, environmental themes, and talking animals is unique and memorable. It’s a story that makes you both think and cheer.
September 23, 2025
Make Way For Monarchs hooked me from the first glimpse of the butterfly migration in Mexico. It’s got that cinematic energy you expect from a great adventure mysterious drones, villains threatening the forest, and two sisters who never back down. The pacing never really slows, and I loved that. If you enjoy action packed eco stories with real stakes, this scratches that itch.
September 23, 2025
Reading Make Way For Monarchs felt like watching an adventure movie play out in my mind. There are tense moments, mysterious threats, and bursts of wonder as the butterflies take flight. I liked how Armstrong balanced fast-paced action with an eco-message that never felt preachy. It’s smart, fun, and timely.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews