A Search for Safe Passage

by Frances Figart, Emma Dufort (Illustrations)

Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains embark on a dangerous journey of survival in this educational adventure book for ages 7-13 about the places where wildlife must cross roads.

This compelling, accessible narrative is perfect for introducing readers to the problems and solutions around the global issue of roadway ecology, animal migration, and the ‘barrier effect.’

Best friends Bear and Deer grew up on the North side of a beautiful Appalachian gorge. In the time of their grandparents, animals could travel freely on either side of a fast-flowing river, but now the dangerous Human Highway divides their home range into the North and South sides. On the night of a full moon, two strangers arrive from the South with news that will lead to tough decisions, a life-changing adventure, and new friends joining in a search for safe passage.

122 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2021

Reviews

[Heather J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this wonderful book at the park store in the GSMNP and enjoyed reading it to my boys. Lots to think about and discuss. They learned how dangerous highways can be to animals as they traveled with the animals in search of a land bridge (or safe passage).

The last quarter of the book provides photos and brief descriptions about each animal in the story. All the animals in the story can be found in the Smoky Mountains. The book also provided pictures of various ways humans are helping animals cross and discusses road ecology....making roads safer for both humans and animals.

Both my five and ten year old enjoyed this book while also learning about current issues facing the various species relating to their habitats and how the roads limit their movement.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book may be written for younger readers, everyone should read it. The story follows two friends Bear and Deer as they navigate the "human highway" with their other wildlife friends. It's an important lesson about the need for wildlife crossings, the back of the book contains educational information as well.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written for children 7+ years old about animals needing a "safe passage" across an Interstate. But this fable-like writing is so much more than that description! In a wonderful story form, the author explains the issues of barriers and how that changes the lives of animals from the salamander to the bear. All public libraries should have a copy of this book! The non-fiction section at the end does a great job of explaining what's real and not from the fable. Kudos to the Great Smokey Mountain Association for publishing this book.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a nightly read-aloud with our seven-year-old child. Contains an important message about the need for wildlife passages, but the writing style didn't always work for us.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for the writing, 4 stars for the topic and real species included. 3.5/5.