The Natural Genius of Ants

Crown Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House

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A summer ant farm grows into a learning experience for the entire family in this lyrical coming-of-age story from the award-winning author of Down to Earth.

Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.

In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm— just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn’t want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Nevaeh has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around in the kitchen instead. But these insects don’t come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn—about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.

Praise and Accolades

“Culley (Down to Earth, 2021) gives readers characters that are natural, fallible individuals, which add credibility and tenderness to the story. Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end.” —Booklist (Starred Review)
“This hopeful story that explores the reality of hardship and mistakes amid themes of forgiveness and resilience.” — (Publishers Weekly)
“Quietly and emotionally intelligent, this tale satisfies.”—(Kirkus Reviews)
“Her first book for middle-grade readers was 2021’s critically acclaimed “Down to Earth. And this second novel is even better, more focused with humor, tenderness and careful sentiment set amidst death, grief, guilt and life’s daily challenges of figuring things out. That’s a lot to take on for young readers, but Culley pulls it off beautifully.” — Bill Bushnell, Central Maine Newspapers
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee in Grades 3-5 category for the 2023-2024 school year (nominated by the Maryland Association of School Librarians)
2023 Green Earth Book Award Long List for Children’s Fiction