Archie Carr (born Mobile, Alabama, 1909; died Micanopy, Florida, May 21, 1987) was a conservationist, professor, and herpetologist best known for his research regarding sea turtles. He revealed that sea turtles were dropping in population because their habitats were being destroyed. He also pointed out that humans were harvesting sea turtles and sea turtle eggs to the point where the numbers were in danger. He wrote nine books sharing his knowledge. Children can learn more at: Archie Carr National Refuge.
Jennifer L. Holm (born California, 1968) writes books for children. She has received three Newbery Honor Awards: in 2000 for Our Only May Amelia, in 2007 for Penny from Heaven, and in 2011 for Turtle in Paradise. She also writes graphic novels and comic books, illustrated by her brother, Matthew Holm. Children could visit her website at: http://www.jenniferholm.com/.
Barbara McClintock (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1902; died Huntington, New York, September 2, 1992) was a world-famous cytogeneticist, studying genetics at the cellular level. She received the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work in discovering “mobile genetic elements.” Older children could read Barbara McClintock: Pioneering Geneticist by Ray Spangenburg and Diane Kit Moser.
Joyce Carol Oates (born Lockport, New York, 1938) has written novellas, short stories, poetry, plays, and at least 58 novels. Some of her works have been written for children and young adults, including Freaky Green Eyes and Come Meet Muffin!
National Eat Your Vegetables Day is today! It coincides with the middle of National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. The day emphasizes the importance of vegetables in our diet. Children could celebrate the day in a variety of ways. They could make a list of all the vegetables they can think of. They could make categories of vegetables: vegetables that are really fruits (think tomato); leafy vegetables, root vegetables, seed vegetables, and stem vegetables. They could poll friends and family members as to favorite vegetables. They could choose a vegetable, research it, and share their findings. They could make a vegetable dip and enjoy with other vegetables.
Amelia Earhart in 1928 became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. However, she was a passenger (keeping the flight log) and not a pilot. Wilmer Stultz was the pilot. They left Newfoundland and landed in Wales. Children can learn more about Earhart at: 