Two in the Far North facts for kids
Two in the Far North is an amazing biographical novel written by Margaret Murie. A biographical novel tells a true story about someone's life, but it's written like a story. Margaret grew up in Fairbanks, in the U.S. state of Alaska. She was married to a biologist named Olaus Murie.
This book shares their incredible adventures. It tells how they lived, explored, and later fought to protect the wild places in Alaska. These were some of the last truly wild areas left.
The book is split into different parts. It covers Margaret's childhood in Alaska, including the start of train travel there. It also describes her honeymoon in the wild, unexplored parts of Alaska. Later, it talks about their trips to study animals and plants, even with their small baby! Finally, it shares her visits back to Alaska from her home in Wyoming.
Contents
About 'Two in the Far North'
Margaret Murie's book, Two in the Far North, is a true story about her life and adventures. It focuses on her deep connection to Alaska and its amazing wilderness. The book shows how important it is to explore and protect nature. It's a great read for anyone who loves adventure and cares about the environment.
Margaret Murie's Early Life
Margaret Murie was born in 1902 and grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska. Back then, Alaska was a very different place. It was still largely wild and undeveloped. Margaret experienced life in a frontier town. She saw the exciting beginnings of things like train travel in Alaska. Her childhood helped her fall in love with the vast, open spaces and the unique wildlife of the North.
Adventures with Olaus Murie
Margaret married Olaus Murie, a famous biologist. A biologist is a scientist who studies living things, like animals and plants. Together, they went on many incredible journeys. Their honeymoon was not a typical trip. They explored the wild, untouched parts of Alaska. They traveled by dog sled and canoe, living off the land. These trips helped them understand the wilderness even more.
Exploring Alaska's Wilderness
Later, Margaret and Olaus went on many expeditions. These were long trips to explore and study nature. Olaus would study the animals, like caribou and moose. Margaret often joined him, even bringing their young baby along! This shows how dedicated they were to their work and to exploring. They learned so much about the plants and animals that lived in these remote areas. Their adventures helped people understand the importance of these wild places.
Protecting Alaska's Wild Places
As they explored, Margaret and Olaus saw how special Alaska's wilderness was. They realized these places needed protection. They became strong advocates for nature conservation. This means working to save natural areas and wildlife for future generations. They fought hard to make sure these wild lands stayed wild. Their efforts helped create important protected areas in Alaska. These areas are now national parks and wildlife refuges. They are safe places for animals and plants to thrive.
A Lasting Legacy
Margaret Murie continued to work for conservation throughout her life. Even after moving to Wyoming, she often returned to Alaska. She kept speaking up for its wilderness. Her book, Two in the Far North, helps people understand why protecting nature is so important. It inspires readers to appreciate the beauty and value of wild places. Margaret Murie is known as the "Grandmother of the Conservation Movement." Her story shows how one person can make a huge difference in protecting our planet.