Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery
CCBC Review:
Most fireflies in the world flash their lights at random intervals unrelated to the flashes of nearby fireflies. For a long time, the only synchronous fireflies—groups of fireflies that light up simultaneously—were believed to live not in North America but in Southeast Asia. Lynn Frierson Faust, who grew up vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, was the first to alert the scientific community to the fireflies there. “Blink! Shine! Twinkle! Pop! Flash! Spark! DARK”—and repeat. As an adult, Lynn spent summers watching the synchronized, rhythmic flashes of these insects from the front porch of her husband’s family’s cabin. While not initially a scientist, Lynn certainly became a citizen scientist as she assisted Dr. Jonathan Copeland, a biologist, in observing, collecting, and studying the species that became known as Photinus carolinus, “the first documented case of synchronous fireflies in the entire Western Hemisphere,” for the next seventeen years. This remarkable story is a testament to the power of observation and curiosity, and a reminder that there are always natural wonders waiting to be discovered by those who are willing to look. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim
CCBC Age Recommendation: 5-9
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Insects (Informational)
Nature/Environment
Observation
Science and Scientists
Publishers:
Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9781665931847
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 595 Paeff