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Junior Explorer Series #1
Your Backyard Is Wild
A backyard anywhere is always fun to explore!
When budding naturalists Lucy and Benjamin get a chance to visit their cousin Gabe in Brooklyn, they can't wait. They are used to seeing fascinating animals and plants in the Florida Everglades where they live, but they can't imagine what they will find in Gabe's New York City backyard. The first book in Jeff Corwin's young middle-grade fiction series shows kids that no matter where you live, you can have fun discovering the plants, animals, and natural life around you.
When budding naturalists Lucy and Benjamin get a chance to visit their cousin Gabe in Brooklyn, they can't wait. They are used to seeing fascinating animals and plants in the Florida Everglades where they live, but they can't imagine what they will find in Gabe's New York City backyard. The first book in Jeff Corwin's young middle-grade fiction series shows kids that no matter where you live, you can have fun discovering the plants, animals, and natural life around you.
96 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2009
5 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Corwin
55 books38 followersJEFF CORWIN
Wildlife biologist
Emmy-winning host
Emmy winner Jeff Corwin has been working for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems around the world since he was a teenager. Animal Planet audiences best know Jeff as host of THE JEFF CORWIN EXPERIENCE, one of the most popular shows on cable television. The series reaches over 13 million viewers in the United States and is viewed in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Since 2000, Jeff has partnered with Animal Planet and Discovery Communications as host and executive producer of THE JEFF CORWIN EXPERIENCE. He also serves as the executive producer of the new series CORWIN'S QUEST. His first book, Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World from Rodale Publishing, is now in paperback.
When not in the field, Jeff lectures on wildlife, ecology and conservation to audiences across the United States. Jeff also established an interactive museum and environmental education center called the EcoZone. Based in Norwell, Mass., the town where Jeff spent his childhood, the goal of the EcoZone is to build awareness for the wildlife and ecology unique to the wetlands of southeastern Massachusetts.
Now an expert in rainforest animals, Jeff was first introduced to the tropical rain forests in 1984, while on an expedition to Belize. The experience fueled his interest in the study and conservation of these ecological marvels. In 1993, Jeff addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regarding the need to conserve neotropical rain forests. By 1994, Jeff had served as expedition naturalist for THE JASON PROJECT, the acclaimed documentary series produced by National Geographic and EDS under the direction of Robert Ballard.
Jeff has bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College, and a master of science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In 1999, Bridgewater State College honored Jeff with a doctorate in public education for his work in communicating about the need for a sustainable approach to using natural resources and the importance of conserving endangered species. Jeff firmly believes that through education and awareness, the natural resources, wildlife and ecosystems that make up our planet will be conserved for future generations.
Jeff's winning personality, combined with his camera-friendly good looks, led editors to choose him as one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" and he was included on the highly regarded Entertainment Weekly "It List." In October 2003, Jeff made a guest appearance as himself on the popular television series CSI: Miami. Other television appearances include the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, Extra and Oprah. In 2004, Jeff won an Emmy for best performer in a children's series.
When not traveling the world, Jeff can be found at his eclectic home off the coast of Massachusetts, which is decorated with unique and unusual artifacts from his globe-trotting. He lives with his wife Natasha and daughter Maya Rose.
Wildlife biologist
Emmy-winning host
Emmy winner Jeff Corwin has been working for the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems around the world since he was a teenager. Animal Planet audiences best know Jeff as host of THE JEFF CORWIN EXPERIENCE, one of the most popular shows on cable television. The series reaches over 13 million viewers in the United States and is viewed in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Since 2000, Jeff has partnered with Animal Planet and Discovery Communications as host and executive producer of THE JEFF CORWIN EXPERIENCE. He also serves as the executive producer of the new series CORWIN'S QUEST. His first book, Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World from Rodale Publishing, is now in paperback.
When not in the field, Jeff lectures on wildlife, ecology and conservation to audiences across the United States. Jeff also established an interactive museum and environmental education center called the EcoZone. Based in Norwell, Mass., the town where Jeff spent his childhood, the goal of the EcoZone is to build awareness for the wildlife and ecology unique to the wetlands of southeastern Massachusetts.
Now an expert in rainforest animals, Jeff was first introduced to the tropical rain forests in 1984, while on an expedition to Belize. The experience fueled his interest in the study and conservation of these ecological marvels. In 1993, Jeff addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regarding the need to conserve neotropical rain forests. By 1994, Jeff had served as expedition naturalist for THE JASON PROJECT, the acclaimed documentary series produced by National Geographic and EDS under the direction of Robert Ballard.
Jeff has bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State College, and a master of science degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In 1999, Bridgewater State College honored Jeff with a doctorate in public education for his work in communicating about the need for a sustainable approach to using natural resources and the importance of conserving endangered species. Jeff firmly believes that through education and awareness, the natural resources, wildlife and ecosystems that make up our planet will be conserved for future generations.
Jeff's winning personality, combined with his camera-friendly good looks, led editors to choose him as one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" and he was included on the highly regarded Entertainment Weekly "It List." In October 2003, Jeff made a guest appearance as himself on the popular television series CSI: Miami. Other television appearances include the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, Extra and Oprah. In 2004, Jeff won an Emmy for best performer in a children's series.
When not traveling the world, Jeff can be found at his eclectic home off the coast of Massachusetts, which is decorated with unique and unusual artifacts from his globe-trotting. He lives with his wife Natasha and daughter Maya Rose.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 30, 2025
Cute middle grade book!
New York City, they find plants and bugs and wild animals!
New York City, they find plants and bugs and wild animals!
February 22, 2021
It was a great book, I listened to it on audiobook through hoopla library!!
May 3, 2011
These books are fun, light reads, perfect for students fascinated with the natural world. Corwin does a nice job of seamlessly integrating information about each of the environments the kids visit into the story, allowing the reader to experience the excitement of discovering things on one's own. The author's passion for the natural world shines through and urges the reader to a greater appreciation of the natural world.
February 5, 2013
I just recently discovered Jeff Corwin (thank you netflix) and was excited to hear that he wrote chapter books for young readers. This book was a good start to what I hope will be a fun and educational series for my daughter and I to share. We loved all the bits of animal trivia throughout the book, and how we can enjoy and appreciate nature right in our own back yard.
November 30, 2009
Junior explorer- Two children show their cousin the wildlife found in NY.
May 27, 2016
C picked this from the library and we read it together. This is surprisingly well written and we both had a fun time reading it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews