Cochrane’s book is designed for middle-grade readers, but it’s a fast, compelling read for adults also. Woven throughout are sidebars on topics such as the science of plane crashes and rainforest flora and fauna.
“It’s so critical to train kids in science and in critical thinking so they’ll be able to navigate today’s environment,” says Cochrane, a veteran middle school teacher of English, English-language learners, Spanish and Russian.
The book is rich with imagery that evokes the beauty and danger of the Amazon as seen by Juliane Koepcke when she was 17.
Through her wits and knowledge of nature after years in the jungle with her parents, Koepcke walked nine days for help, despite a broken collarbone, deep cuts and other injuries.
Cochrane was captivated by Koepcke’s story when she learned about it while an exchange student in Lima. Cochrane was also 17 and took a similar commercial flight over the Andes.
The story fascinated her, but Cochrane admits the connection “didn’t dawn on me” until decades later.
“When COVID hit, I cleaned out my house and found my journal from that time in Peru,” Cochrane says. “I was also finishing my master’s degree (in science writing at Johns Hopkins University) and it was time for my thesis. I thought, This is it! This is my story! I wrote the first draft and it was accepted.”
With her manuscript, Cochrane visited a publisher to see if she could sell her book. Her gumption and “extreme good luck” landed an agent and deal. “Follow the Water” will be published March 17 with a local launch at Beers Books.
Though Koepcke declined to be interviewed for the book, Cochrane felt a duty to do right by her subject.
“I examined every interview, read (Koepcke) autobiography and every other book ever written about her,” Cochrane says. “I think I came very close to depicting her story. I really hope I’ve nailed the facts.”
Cochrane wants to share Koepcke’s story with talks at libraries and schools to help young people learn the power of science and their own inner strength.
“This is her story, not my story, but I just knew that especially young people would be very interested in reading it,” Cochrane says.
The local book launch for “Follow the Water” is Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m., Beers Books, 712 R St. For information, visit ellencochrane.com.
