Review Detail

This is the story of Lynn Faust, a now renowned firefly expert, from her childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains that instilled an early love of nature to her early adulthood, when her mission to identify synchronous fireflies in the Great Smokies began.

Her journey is deceptively simple yet inspirational, with many relatable moments. Sitting on the front porch of the family cottage, Lynn sees the wondrous blinking fireflies. Her quest for knowledge takes her down a winding research path, from park rangers to universities to everyday libraries. Correspondence with scientists sends her from one expert to the next, until eventually, a researcher engages. Through field exploration and study, Lynn and Dr. Copeland prove Lynn's theories and more.

The illustrations are dreamy, while the text has a more informative quality, interspersed with bright flashes and pops when the fireflies illuminate the page. The book ends with a quick epilogue on Lynn's later achievements and some information about fireflies, how to create an inviting habitat for them, and what sort of gear the budding scientist would want to have to tromp about as a fireflyer (aka someone who loves fireflies).

This biography encourages inner curiosity, chasing dreams, and a scientific spirit that respectfully investigates and protects the wonders of nature.