The California Coast: A Literary Field Guide

Stories from Where We Live

by Sara St. Antoine (Editor)

Stretching from the Oregon border to the Baja peninsula, the California Coast ecoregion (ecoregions are geographical areas that share similar natural features and cultural history) is known for mild, Mediterranean-like weather. This book gathers stories, poems, and essays chosen because they feature the natural heritage of the region and because kids often are the protagonists. A book in the acclaimed Stories from Where We Live series, "The California Coast" includes pieces both historical and contemporary and many contributions from ethnic groups. Individual pieces tell of gold rush fortunes, Wells Fargo stagecoach "whips," and surfers who brave the sharks in the "Red Triangle." They recall a Native American woman who survived for eighteen years alone on an island and the "Pigeon Express" that carried mail to the Channel Islands in the days before radio. There are pieces about seals and sea otters, foxes amidst the dry chaparral, redwoods and the La Brea tar pits. The book includes information about the region’s habitats and a list of natural areas to visit. Divided into four sections—Adventures, Great Places, Reapers and Sowers, and Wild Lives—this book is a wonderfully imaginative way to get to know the natural life of the California Coast.

Genres: Poetry

248 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Sara St. Antoine is an award-winning author and freelance writer. A graduate of Williams College, Sara holds a master's degree from the Yale School of the Environment. Her debut novel, Three Bird Summer, was selected as a Boston Globe Best Book of the Year and an ALSC Notable Children's Book for middle grade readers. She also edits the Stories from Where We Live anthology series, which celebrates place-based literature from different regions of North America. Originally from Michigan, Sara now lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of a wonderful series full of stories, essays and poetry. Each piece helps give a picture of diverse places. I really wished they could have published all that were originally planned because this offers a great way to connect region to lit.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I purchased this book to add to my library of books on early California, I didn’t notice that it is a young adult primer. Still, I enjoyed the stories immensely. The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island that inspired Scott O’Dells Island of the Blue Dolphin was of special interest to me, along with a young girl’s plea to stop earth movers from chomping at the edge of her home in the Santa Monica Mountains where I often hike. These stories come from good writers looking back at their days growing up in California. Nature is a big part of their lives. I especially enjoyed Birding on a Bronco. A woman who visits a rancho in the back country of San Diego in the 1850’descibes the abundant flora, fauna and birds she discovers. This very sweet collection of stories and poems speaks to the young person in all of us.
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