I Love Salmon and Lampreys A Native Story of Resilience

2025 Read Across America Pick from the National Education Association
2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Book, Awarded by the Children's Book Council
For young readers, an inspiring story about a river, a successful Native-led movement for environmental justice, and the making of a scientist.
Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger. People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come.

About the author

Brook M. Thompson is a part of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes. She is a neurodivergent and Two-Spirit author with dyslexia. She has a BS in civil engineering from Portland State University and an MS in environmental engineering from Stanford University, and she will soon have a PhD in environmental studies from University of California, Santa Cruz, where she studies water, politics, restoration, and salmon. You can find out more about her at brookmthompson.com.
Anastasia Khmelevska is an illustrator based in Lviv, Ukraine. She has illustrated several children’s books, including My Invisible Zoo, Marella the Mermaid, and Anything Helps. Follow her on Instagram @cute_miuu.

Product details

• Authors: Brook Thompson, Brook M. Thompson, Brook M./ Khmelevska Thompson
• Assisted by: Anastasia Khmelevska (Illustration)
• Publisher: Heyday books
• Content: Book
• Product form: Hardback
• Publication date: 04.03.2025
• Subject: Children's and young people's books > Non-fiction books / Non-fiction picture books > Natural science, technology
• EAN: 9781597146685
• ISBN: 978-1-59714-668-5
• Pages: 32
• Age Recommendation: ages 4 to 8
• Subjects: Wildlife (Children's / Teenage), People & places (Children's / Teenage), Children’s / Teenage general interest: Fish and marine life, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Animals / Fish, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Places & peoples, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Fish & marine life, Environmental Justice, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Land-Based Knowledge, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Native American, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Animal Stories, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Reconciliation, northern california, water rights, Fish conservation, Indigenous rights, Relating to Native American people / First Americans, Tribal Sovereignty, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Communities, places and peoples, youth empowerment, Native traditions, children's nonfiction, River conservation, Ecoactivism, Science advocacy, books about California, native scientists, Fish migration, Salmon conservation status, Eco-justice for youth, klamath river, Science education for children, Yurok and Karuk traditions, Lamprey protection initiatives, Dam removal environmental impact, Indigenous conservation efforts, River restoration projects, kids conservation, Native American environmental activism, Tribal community empowerment, indigenous scientists