24 Sep Mary Boone discusses SCHOOL OF FISH…PLUS a

EL: Welcome to Writing Outside the Lines! Many of you may know author and blogger, Mary Boone, but you may not be familiar YET with her newest book, SCHOOL OF FISH.  This is a book I wish I had when I was teaching. It is chock full of information about the life cycle of salmon and raising and releasing fry (baby salmon) into the wild. However, it’s told within the story of Emmy and her classmates experiencing the excitement. Because of that, it’s not only filled with facts but filled with emotion. The story is based on a real science program in which thousands of children have been involved. Boone’s words paired with Milena Godoy’s art will delight all readers. 

Welcome, Mary! Please tell us a little about yourself.

MB: I’m one of those kids who most certainly annoyed my parents and teachers with my nonstop questions. What did clouds feel like? Why is the ocean salty? What’s a black hole? As a pre-Internet kid, I was often sent to the encyclopedia, where my search for answers led to even more fascinating information. I guess I never outgrew that sense of curiosity or my love of research.

I started my career as a newspaper reporter and editor. My first book projects were popstar biographies that I wrote as work-for-hire projects. Even while I was writing about Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, I was working on proposals for nonfiction kidlit projects. One of those proposals caught the attention of my now-agent Stacey Kondla, who has been a true partner in getting these stories out into the world.

My husband and I live in Washington state. When I’m not writing, I love to hike, kayak, and hang out with my very opinionated Airedale terrier, Ruthie Bader.

EL: Mary, I think I’ve told you before, that your dog’s name makes me smile every time I see it!  I think the illustrations are perfect for your book. Did you get to communicate with your illustrator? When did you see the roughs?

MB: I really couldn’t be happier with Milena Godoy’s illustrations. She did such a great job blending her whimsical style with the need to accurately represent scientific information.

I saw Milena’s illustrations along the way, but we were only able to communicate through my editor and her art director. One of the things a lot of people don’t realize about nonfiction (or informational fiction) books is that the illustrations need to be fact checked. In early sketches, for instance, Milena had included a castle and a bunch of plants in the fish tank – but those things aren’t really allowed in these programs because those decorations can harbor dangerous bacteria and viruses.

After the book went to press, I did reach out to Milena because I wanted her to know how grateful I am that we were partnered on this book.

EL:  What led you to write this particular story?  

MB: Each Fall, salmon migrate across the lake we live near.  They come up a fish ladder and then stay in a holding area until members of the Squaxin Island Tribe come by each day. A fish ladder is a structure (the one on our lake looks like stairs) that help fish around obstacles like dams or waterfalls. Squaxin Island tribe members do a species count before tossing the salmon into the lake so they can continue their journey.

The first time I encountered this process, I couldn’t get enough of it. I had so many questions for these guys – and they patiently answered them. They also told me about the Salmon in the Classroom program, upon which my book is based. And they connected me with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, where I started volunteering. I was hooked and knew this could make for a great picture book, but getting the heart of the story wasn’t easy.

I typically write straight nonfiction, but every draft I wrote sounded more boring than the one before it. Finally, after probably a dozen drafts, I decided to try my hand at informational fiction. It just flowed. I tightened it up a bit while revising, but once the manuscript was purchased, changes were minimal.

EL: That is wonderful! Aside from immersing yourself in the process, did you do anything else to prepare for writing this book?

MB: I love research – especially hands-on research. To learn about this program, I spent time in a handful of schools, observing lessons, learning the ins and outs of caring for the baby salmon, and talking with teachers and students. I also participated in a half-dozen salmon releases, including one that included thousands of students

To learn more about salmon in general, I also started volunteering with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement group. I’ve helped monitor juvenile smolt traps, assisted with DNA testing as part of a project aimed at increasing Steelhead populations, and planted trees in an effort to create a better habitat for salmon

EL: What do you do when the words won’t come, as sometimes happens to us all? 

MB: It happens – more often than any of us would like to admit. When I get stuck, I go for a walk or pack up my laptop to work in a coffee shop or even in another room in my house. There are times, too, when I step away from writing for a day or two and instead try my hand at collage or stained glass. If I can get my creativity flowing in another way, that will also translate when I fire my computer up again.

EL: Do you have anything else in the pipeline you can talk about?

MB: I am thrilled to have two more picture books on the way. Pedal Pusher (Henry Holt, 2025) is the story of the first woman to ride a bike around the world. Flying Feminist (Andersen Press, 2026) tells the story of the first woman in the world to build and fly her own airplane.

I’m also putting the finishing touches on the manuscript for Unfathomable (Bright Matter Books), a middle-grade collection of wild but true stories related to our oceans and seas.

EL: That’s fabulous! I’m looking forward to reading all those books!  Here’s where you can learn more about Mary and places to buy her books.

Website: www.boonewrites.com

Where to buy the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/school-of-fish-mary-boone/20373236?ean=9780807572917 (or wherever books are sold)  

Thank you for coming on the blog today, Mary! 

And now a…

Mary is happy to give away a signed copy of School of Fish – North America only.  As always, comment on this post and let me know if you have shared it and/or if you are a subscriber for an extra chance to win.

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On a personal note, I’d love you to check out some of my books here. They are also available wherever books are sold. THANK YOU! 

DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY

https://bookshop.org/p/books/debbie-s-song-ellen-leventhal/18680277?ean=9781728443027

A FLOOD OF KINDNESS

https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-flood-of-kindness-ellen-leventhal/15150623?ean=9781546034582