Wildheart: The Daring Adventures of John Muir

Gr 4–8—John Muir comes to life in this affectionate graphic format biography of the 19th-century environmentalist, inventor, and adventurer. Muir narrates, covering everything from childhood escapades to mountain climbing in Yosemite with President Theodore Roosevelt. Even as a boy, Muir was drawn to the outdoors, scampering across the Scottish countryside with his younger brother, Davie, and when he and his family moved to the United States, his love of nature grew stronger. Muir's travels as an adult throughout the country, seeing its beauty, grandeur, and, at times, danger, became fodder for writing that would inspire generations of readers. Goldsmith's charming cartoons, with black line drawings and washes of color, match the exuberant story. The author often relies on the subject's own words (a list of sources can be found at the end), and the result is a quick but deeply personal glimpse at a legendary figure. The text concludes with information on how Muir's work has spurred many to become lovers of the outdoors and protectors of the planet.