Mammoth

The summer before her junior year, paleontology geek Natalie Page lands a coveted internship at an Ice Age dig site near Austin, Texas.   

Natalie, who’s also a plus-size fashion blogger, depends on the retro style and persona she developed to shield herself from her former bullies. However, vintage dresses and designer heels aren’t compatible with digging for fossils. But nothing is going to dampen her spirit. She’s exactly where she wants to be and gets to work with her hero, the host of the most popular paleontology podcast in the world. And then there’s Chase, the intern, who’s seriously cute, and Cody, a local boy who’d be even cuter if he were less of a grouch.  It’s a summer that promises to be about more than just mammoths.  

Until it isn’t.  

When Natalie’s paleontologist hero turns out to be anything but, and steals the credit for one of her accomplishments, she has to unearth the confidence she needs to stand out in a field dominated by men. To do this, she’ll have to let her true self shine, even if that means defying the rules and risking her life for the sake of a major discovery. While sifting through dirt, she finds more than fossils―she finds out that she is truly awesome. 

PRAISE FOR MAMMOTH & JILL BAGUCHINSKY

“Nerds and fashionistas alike can rejoice: Natalie is the unapologetically awesome heroine we’ve all been waiting for! Fresh and fun, this story is a love letter to paleontology, a great example of women in STEM, and a victory for anyone who’s ever wanted to change what they see in the mirror. I can’t say it enough: this book is a must-read!” 

 ―Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of the Reign of the Fallen series   

“Mammoth is one of the best contemporaries of the year. It’s unique, entertaining, awesome, but most importantly: it’s a representative light to the world of YA fiction.” 

 -Kaya Lynch, blogger, A Fictional Bookworm 

"This book brings me back to my teenage years when I fell in love with paleontology. A fun story told with unapologetic verve; Mammoth reminds us that science must be open to anyone who has the passion and ambition to learn new things about the world. Natalie’s enthusiasm and drive to follow her dreams are a great example for young people considering a career in science.”   

―Steve Brusatte, paleontologist at University of Edinburgh and bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs 

“Mammoth is infused with danger, deceit, and romance…With its focus on STEM and self-acceptance, Mammoth will resonate.”  

-Catherine Thureson, Foreword Reviews  

“There is much to love here: a sweet romance, a determined portrayal of women in STEM fields, and an encouraging tale of self-acceptance. Teens with ambition of their own will enjoy watching Natalie blossom.”   

―Maggie Reagan, Booklist Advanced Review  

“Put simply, this book was exactly what I needed; it’s light, but it doesn’t make light of things. It’s a happy story, but it recognizes the difficulties the characters face. It made me smile; it made me tear up; it was just...lovely.”   

―Judith Moore, blogger