Thank you Carolyn Armstrong, Climate Kid Adventure Books and NetGalley for a copy of *Make Way For Monarchs* in exchange for my honest review 🦋🧡

My tween and I read this book together and enjoyed every second! This story full of adventure, action, fun and wonder had us hooked from the very first page. The twins are clever, brave and lovable. Their differences make for such a great dynamic. The story is like a nature documentary mixed with an action movie, in the best possible way. It's fast-paced, heartwarming and magical. A wonderful read for all ages in our opinion!🧡

Do you know where butterflies go in the fall?

The monarch butterflies are heading from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico right now for wintering. To be exact, they long to rest at their home – the oyamel trees in the Sierra Madre mountains.

After making their 3,000-mile journey, they discover that their habitat in Mexico is under threat from deforestation and human activity. And to such a serious problem, all the answers Sydney has gotten from everyone are: “Un problema MUY complicado.” (A very complicated problem). She simply cannot sit around anymore and sets things into motion.

Sydney is in Mexico with her sister Sierra and her parents, all environmentalists in their own way. This is a very lovely middle grade travelogue, following Sydney on her mission to rescue the monarchs. I particularly enjoyed the scenery and the encounters with local people. I loved the steaming coffee! I also now have some ideas of what to order when one day I travel to Mexico: chilaquiles, conchas, and churros. And I won’t forget to tell the cook “¡Qué rica!” (How delicious!).

Like a cocoon transformed into a butterfly, Sydney grows up during the journey too. I, myself, am inspired by this fragile yet very capable monarch.

“Monarchs, known as the travelers, achieve the impossible. They are a symbol of growth, transformation, and resilience.”

This book reminded me of my absolute favourite, Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.

Thanks to Climate Kid Adventure, Carolyn Armstrong and @netgalley for the eARC of Make Way For Monarchs.

This book is a wonderful tale of resourcefulness and hope in a time where it can feel overwhelming to take a stand. The message from Seguro, the horse “do one thing “ should be the message we all take from this book.

While we can’t all travel to Mexico and watch the Monarch’s migration, author Carolyn Armstrong gives easy steps that the reader can take at home to make a difference. I feel this book would be a good assigned reading for an eco unit.

I would recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I am new to this series of books and had not read the previous two but that did not stop me from understanding and enjoying this book. I have learned so much more about the monarch butterflies and thought this was a brilliant choice of creature to focus upon. I enjoyed the dynamic between Sierra and Sydney who both have their own ideas about what to do for the best. I loved the comparison of Sydney and the butterfly each undergoing their own personal transformations. I'll definitely be looking out for the other books now.

This is the 3rd in a series for middle grade readers with an ecological focus. In this book, twins Sierra and Sydney travel with their parents to Mexico to visit the winter home of monarch butterflies. They are charged with helping to protect the butterflies environment, particularly the trees. This book has a lot of basic Spanish words and phrases as well. I think middle grade readers would enjoy this book.

Make Way for Monarchs is a warm, engaging blend of adventure and environmental education. I loved how real-world issues—monarch migration, deforestation, and habitat protection in Mexico—are woven seamlessly into the story without ever feeling like a lecture. It’s entertaining and educational, which is a win in any classroom.
As a teacher, I can see plenty of value in this as a reader: strong themes, clear environmental messaging, and enough intrigue to keep students invested. My one small wish is that the story were written in first person, as this better aligns with many primary writing curricula and tends to be more immersive for younger readers.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, purposeful story that opens the door to meaningful discussions about caring for our planet—while still being an enjoyable read. 🦋

This book is a great read for tweens who are interested in learning more about monarch butterflies! It was well-written and informative.

Make Way for Monarchs delivers a warm, hopeful adventure that blends environmental awareness with heartfelt storytelling. Carolyn Armstrong follows her young characters as they rally around a fragile species, turning curiosity into meaningful action. The story unfolds with an easy rhythm, illustrating how small choices can spark significant change.

The monarchs themselves add a touch of wonder, and the book highlights their journey in a way that feels both educational and uplifting without ever slowing the pace. The friendships, teamwork, and problem-solving give the narrative a lively and encouraging spirit that young readers can connect with.

It’s an engaging chapter in the Eco Warriors series—bright, earnest, and full of purpose. A great pick for kids who enjoy stories about nature, community, and making a difference.

When I was young, my older brother would capture butterflies, pinning them to picture frames...it didn't matter to him how it would kill them, but he didn't care. It always broke my heart. Reading this story reminded me of how delicate some creatures can be, and how others take advantage of their delicate nature.

This is such a lovely read, but it also reminded me of that.

I enjoyed reading "Make Way For Monarchs", especially since, thanks to my brother, that I had some knowledge about Monarchs, and how lovely they are, as well as delicate. I have friends in Canada who are sad to see them go, as it is that time of year., a journey of 3,000 miles. ,


Pub Date: Sep 16 2025

Many thanks for the opportunity to read Carolyn Armstrong's 'Make Way For Monarchs'


Sydney is in Mexico with her sister Sierra and her parents, all environmentalists in their own way. This is a very lovely middle grade travelogue, following Sydney on her mission to rescue the monarchs. I particularly enjoyed the scenery and the encounters with local people. I loved the steaming coffee! I also now have some ideas of what to order when one day I travel to Mexico: chilaquiles, conchas, and churros. And I won’t forget to tell the cook “¡Qué rica!” (How delicious!).

Like a cocoon transformed into a butterfly, Sydney grows up during the journey too. I, myself, am inspired by this fragile yet very capable monarch.

“Monarchs, known as the travelers, achieve the impossible. They are a symbol of growth, transformation, and resilience.”

Make Way For Monarchs written by Carolyn Armstrong, was a very well and humbling read. This informative read includes all kind of interesting facts about monarchs, their yearly flight paths, and what impact climate change has on these beautiful insects. Within this book is also a beautiful story about a family and their journey and how they help save the butterflies.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

My 9 year old absolutely loved this book. She liked how it wasn't just informational, but it the information was there, presented throughout the story. She feels like she learned a lot about monarch butterflies, as an endangered species, and how they overwinter in Mexico. She really liked the animals in the story, and how they helped the main character Sydney to recognize danger, or give her clues to catch the illegal activity that was further endangering the butterflies. She also liked how it taught some Spanish phrases at the end and sometimes throughout the book.
She' would really like to read the other two previous books in this series, and we're excited to go look for them at the local bookstore or library.

As a parent, I've struggled to get my 9-year-old to read chapter books - she usually prefers graphic novels. I am thrilled that she enjoyed this book so much, and that she is excited to read more in the series. Any chapter book that gets her so deeply drawn in to this book will get my unequivocal recommendation. I appreciated the science information and Spanish language woven throughout, as well as the ecological orientation of the story. I also think that the book had great ideas for kids "who want to DO more" with applicable ideas to be more environmentally friendly.
. I think this book would be a great read for ages 7-12.

ARC Review – Make Way for Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong
I really enjoyed Make Way for Monarchs. It’s a fun and engaging middle-grade adventure that also highlights an important environmental issue. Following twins Sydney and Sierra as they travel to Mexico and discover that the monarch butterflies’ sanctuary is under threat made for an exciting and meaningful story.
I especially liked the dynamic between the sisters and how their different strengths help them work together to solve problems. The story also includes interesting facts about monarch migration and conservation, which made it both entertaining and educational.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read with a great message about protecting nature. I think young readers who love animals, adventure, and environmental themes will really enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.