Melissa Walker
Melissa Walker has been a Professor of English at Mercer University and a Fellow in Women's Studies at Emory University, both in Atlanta. In the past she's been a vocal advocate for civil rights and for wilderness, but is currently focusing on empowering children to learn about their place in the natural world. Her previous books include Reading the Environment and Living on Wilderness Time: 200 Days Alone in America's Wild Places. She lives with her husband Jerome in Atlanta and spends much of the summer in Alaska.
Richard Walker lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Monica and their two boys. His son Max is a competitive swimmer while Joseph is an ardent environmentalist. They say their father "likes to bike, play drums, paint, and take care of people after heart surgery." Walker studied at Vassar College, Yale School of Art, and the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition to being an artist, Walker works as an ICU nurse at Emory University Hospital.
http://www.aplacefordelta.com/
http://www.whaletalepress.com/
Reviews
A Place for Delta
Melissa Walker
Joseph, eleven, comes from a remarkable nature-loving family. His grandmother Lisi is a herpetologist who owns a home on forty acres of forest. His aunt Kate is a wildlife biologist, currently in Alaska, working with a well-known scientist, Dr. Yu. Joseph receives a letter from his Aunt Kate that will change his life. An orphaned polar bear cub, whom Kate named Delta, was found and Aunt Kate offers Joseph the job of caring for it at the field station. What an adventure that turns out to be! Joseph and a new-found Eskimo friend, Ada, set out to investigate the shooting of Delta's mother. A mysterious woman claiming to be a writer arrives in town. And Delta is in trouble: Dr. Yu has discovered that the cub is not growing as he should. What will happen to Delta at the end of the summer? Would Lisi consider taking on his care? Would bring Delta to Lisi in Georgia work out? Along with the adventure comes a colorful group of characters: Avik and Chipic, both native Alaskans, Max the fearless helicopter pilot, Joseph's mom, Rachel and his friend, Carlos, back home and so on. Lovely illustration by Richard Walker adds drama to this well-researched tale. Although the dialogue often sounds more like lecture than conversation, the book is an exciting read from which young readers are bound to learn a lot. 2010, Whale Tail Press, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780982478400
Added 6/24/11
To stay up to date on new books by this author, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.