Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon
Set off down the Colorado River with Melissa L. Sevigny’s book, which tells two women’s journey to document the canyon’s unique botany.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about Brave the Wild River by Melissa L. Sevigny. There’s lots of ways to participate: Read the book, join our community space, attend an event, sign up for our email newsletter, or email us with your thoughts.
This July, the SciFri Book Club is reading Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny. In 1938, the Colorado River was considered one of the most dangerous rivers in the world. But botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter knew the plant life of the Grand Canyon had never been officially surveyed, and set out to run the river so they could be the first. Brave the Wild River pulls together the letters and diaries of the two women, and charts their forty-three day journey across the river rapids as they explored and cataloged its thriving plant life.
Brave the Wild River brings together a range of topics, including botany, history, ecology, earth science, and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
This Book Club season kicks off on Monday, July 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- July 1-7: Chapters 1-3
- July 8-14: Chapters 4-6
- July 15-21: Chapters 7-9
- July 22-28: Chapters 10-13
- July 29-31: Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have Brave the Wild River in its catalog, but many branches offer ways for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby or OverDrive app, a form submission on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch!
Save The Date: SciFri Book Club Events
Brave the Wild River: Author Livestream and Q&A
Risk vs. reward are always at play for scientists—more so when you aim to chart the unknown botany of the perilous Colorado River in the 1930s. Join us for a conversation with science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny on the experience researching and recounting Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter’s harrowing adventure.
Join us online for a livestream on the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick for July 2024. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
SciFri Book Club July community meeting: Brave the Wild River
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in Brave the Wild River. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about botany, history, ecology, earth science, and more.
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe to SciFri Book Club emails to stay updated on our monthly read sand join us for community discussions. We’ll send emails a few times per week.