Grade K–3Science & Courage

Just Wild Enough

Written by Marta Magellan

Illustrated by Clémentine Rocheron

Mireya Mayor grew up in Miami dreaming of adventure — but nobody told her that a girl like her could become a primatologist. In this inspiring biography, young readers follow Mireya from her childhood curiosity about animals to her groundbreaking fieldwork in Madagascar, where she discovered a new species of mouse lemur. Just Wild Enough is a celebration of scientific curiosity, fearlessness, and the power of refusing to let anyone tell you what you can't do.

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From the Library Director

Marta Magellan has given us exactly the kind of biography that young readers — especially girls — need to see on library shelves. Mireya Mayor's story is genuinely thrilling: she's a former NFL cheerleader who became a National Geographic Explorer and discovered a new primate species. The combination of adventure, science, and sheer determination makes this book irresistible for independent reading and classroom discussion alike. Clémentine Rocheron's illustrations bring the rainforests of Madagascar to vivid life. This is a perfect pairing with units on habitats, biodiversity, and women in STEM — and it's the kind of book that makes kids think 'I could do that too.' Highly recommended for grades K–3 and beyond.

Big Idea

Science belongs to everyone — especially the curious, the brave, and the ones who refuse to be told they don't belong.

Discussion Questions

1
Mireya Mayor grew up in Miami, far from the rainforests she would one day explore. How did her childhood curiosity about animals shape who she became? What did she do to learn more about the things she loved?
2
People told Mireya she didn't look like a scientist. What do you think a scientist looks like? Do you think there's a 'right' way to look or act if you want to be a scientist? Why or why not?
3
Mireya discovered a brand-new species of mouse lemur in Madagascar. What does it mean to discover something that no one has ever found before? How do you think that felt?
4
Fieldwork in the rainforest can be dangerous and uncomfortable. What challenges did Mireya face? Would you be willing to face those challenges for something you loved? What would make it worth it?
5
Mireya was a cheerleader before she became a scientist. Do you think those two things are connected? What skills from one might have helped with the other?
6
Why is it important to protect animals like the mouse lemur? What happens to an ecosystem when a species disappears? What can kids do to help protect animals and their habitats?
7
Mireya is described as a National Geographic Explorer. What do you think an explorer does? Is exploration only about going to faraway places, or can you explore close to home too?
8
If you could discover something brand new — an animal, a place, an idea — what would it be? What would you name it? What would you do with the discovery?

Activity: Field Journal: Backyard Biologist

Students become field scientists like Mireya Mayor, observing and documenting living things in their environment — practicing careful observation, scientific recording, and the habits of a naturalist.

1
Before reading, ask students: Have you ever really looked closely at an animal or plant — so closely you noticed something you'd never seen before? What did you see? Introduce the concept of a field journal: scientists like Mireya Mayor keep detailed notes and drawings of everything they observe in the field. Today we're going to start our own.
2
Read Just Wild Enough aloud, pausing to notice how Mireya observes, records, and thinks about the animals she studies. After reading, discuss: What tools did Mireya use in the field? What did she write down or photograph? Why is careful observation so important in science? What might happen if a scientist made a mistake in their notes?
3
Give each student a blank Field Journal — a folded sheet of paper works perfectly. Label the cover 'Field Journal' with their name and today's date. Explain that a field journal entry has four parts: a drawing of what you observed, a written description (size, color, behavior, habitat), the date and location, and one question the observation raised for you.
4
Take students outside (or to a window) for 10–15 minutes of quiet observation. They should find one living thing — an insect, a bird, a plant, a worm — and observe it carefully before drawing and writing. Encourage them to look for details: How does it move? What does it eat? Does it interact with anything else? What's surprising about it?
5
Back inside, students share their field journal entries with a partner or the class. Celebrate the variety of observations and the quality of the questions students raised. Close with a discussion: What would happen if we kept field journals all year? What might we notice about how living things change with the seasons? Connect back to Mireya: every great discovery starts with someone paying close attention.

Standards Connections

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K-3.3 — Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K-3.6 — Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text
NGSS K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals and the places they live
NGSS 2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats
SEL — Growth Mindset: Recognize that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work; learn from the example of a real-world scientist
Women in STEM — Explore the contributions of women scientists and explorers; challenge stereotypes about who belongs in science