Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Settled in the Wild: Notes from the Edge of Town by Susan Shetterly


Summary from Amazon: 
Whether we live in cities, suburbs, or villages, we are encroaching on nature, and it in one way or another perseveres. Naturalist Susan Shetterly looks at how animals, humans, and plants share the land―observing her own neighborhood in rural Maine. She tells tales of the locals (humans, yes, but also snowshoe hares, raccoons, bobcats, turtles, salmon, ravens, hummingbirds, cormorants, sandpipers, and spring peepers). She expertly shows us how they all make their way in an ever-changing habitat. 

Author's website: http://www.susanhandshetterly.com/

Reviews: 
http://www.maineboats.com/print/issue-109/book-review-109-settled-in-the-wild
https://bookpage.com/reviews/6312-susan-hand-shetterly-settled-wild#.VvvOERIrKRs

Discussion questions by Heidi:
1. Discuss the format of the book and writing style. How does she compare to other nature writers such as Annie Dillard and Bernd Heinrich?
2. Shetterly has cared for many injured animals. Have you had any of your own experiences? 
3. Which story did you especially enjoy reading about?
4. Where does the author fit into the community?
5. What changes does she observe in her community and in the environment over time? What have you observed in your own community?