Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma’s Journey

Gr 6-9–Written by a conservation scientist, and drawing on extensive research, this graphic novel follows a young puma as he struggles to survive from his earliest days as a cub. Along the way, there are encounters with mature territorial males, difficulties with habitat fragmentation, wildfires, and other hazards. Illustrations use gold and varied earth tones to portray the young cat and his California ecosystem. Pages with multiple types of wildlife use labels to help readers identify each species. Sidebars on related topics are designed to look like entries in a research journal with photos, news articles, and handwritten notes with key phrases highlighted. How pumas support biodiversity, the dangers of outdoor pets interacting with wildlife, and newt protectors are some of the subjects shared in this way. Text and images poignantly depict the plight of species, such as pumas, whose habitats are impacted by humans, but also how some humans are working to ameliorate the negative effects and support the continued existence of threatened animals. An appendix discusses the urban wildlife interface, the return of tribal lands, the use of “traditional ecological knowledge,” and ways to create backyard habitats that support wildlife in the community. Extensive notes and references, many with URLs, offer readers further avenues to explore.