The following sites can be used to support and enrich the Book Club unit for The Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George.

Explore the Setting of the Novel

• Everglades National Park – This National Park Service web site provides an overview of the unique features of the Everglades and the dangers that threaten its continued existence. From this site, visitors can find more in-depth information on the ecosystem of the Everglades, its various habitats, the animals that live in the Everglades, and the endangered species. Using the map feature, students can trace Billie Wind's journey.

Investigate the Plants and Animals of the Everglades

• PantherNet – This site offers facts about the panther population in Florida. It includes the natural history of the panthers, their habitat, the threats to their continued survival, and conservation measures.
• River Otter Gallery – This is an array of photographs of river otters in many environments and situations. Pictures can be viewed close up so that the details emerge vividly.
• WildCam: River Otters – A couple in Missouri is raising a pair of otters as part of a conservation project. An indoor camera and one outdoors allow viewing of the otters as they play and nap!
• River Otter Facts – This fact-filled site describes the characteristics and habits of the river otter.
• Gopher Tortoise Fact Sheet – Interesting and important details about the land turtle of Florida can be found in this fact sheet.
• Plants and Animals of the Everglades – Visitors are presented with quick facts and photographs of a wide variety of the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates, plants, and physical features of the Everglades that are mentioned in The Talking Earth.

Learn More about the Seminole History and Culture

• Seminole Culture – This is an informal but informative guide to the culture and traditions of the Seminole people. It includes facts about the art, architecture, clans, clothing, food, language, legends, and rituals of the Seminoles.
• Seminole History – This site is a brief, illustrated review of the history of the Seminoles in Florida.
• Florida of the Seminoles – The various conflicts that the Seminoles have been involved in throughout time and the lives of some of the important leaders are examined on this web site.
• "Florida Seminole and Miccosukee Indians: Trade, Change, Adaptation, and Innovation" by Dorothy Downs – This essay traces the history of the Seminoles with insight into the struggles of the Seminoles in the twentieth century. Highlights of the essay include an exploration of the clothing fashions and the crafts of the Seminole people through the centuries.

Meet the Author

• Jean Craighead George Web Site – Visitors are introduced to Jean Craighead George firsthand through her web site. It includes background on her life, a list of her books, her email address, tips on writing, and several of her quotations.