She thought she was ordinary. The bees knew better.
High school freshman Jenna Jay "JJ" Halik believes she's just ordinary. One unforgettable encounter with bees awakens her to the joy of la Madre Naturaleza, and sets her on a path to becoming a Nature Defender.
JJ's story, step by step
The encounter
An ordinary girl meets bees that are anything but, and the natural world opens up around her.
The friends who help
Her BFF Sun-Hee Kim and her bee-expert neighbor, Mr. Solomon Greene, guide her along the way.
The setbacks
Family, school and friendship hurdles pile up. It's too much, and JJ shuts down. But we need her to bounce back!
The Nature Defender
Step by step she becomes an intrepid teen conservationist, inspiring her classmates to follow her lead.
Early readers are buzzing about Extraordinary.
See the reviews
Hello! I'm Barbara.
I'm a storyteller who thrives in nature, and I love sharing inspiring, page-turning adventures that show you how to discover la Madre Naturaleza and connect to the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) in your own neighborhood, no matter where you live.
The California Mojave Desert is my home, and my novel, Extraordinary, introduces you to some of its most fascinating residents—the ones flying all over this webpage!
More about me →Be a Nature Defender today
Organizations JJ (and Barbara) cheer for. Pick one to learn more and take action.
