About Ellen Cochrane
Young Adult and Nature Writer
About the Author
Ellen Cochrane writes immersive nonfiction for young readers that trusts their intelligence and their emotions. Her debut, “Follow the Water,” tells the true story of 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke’s survival in the Amazon. It’s an adventure that reads like a thriller and teaches how science lives in the world: weather, rivers, canopy, and the choices that keep us alive.
A longtime middle school teacher of English, English learners, Spanish, and
Russian, Ellen brings classroom clarity and compassion to complex topics. She studied science writing at Johns Hopkins, is a certified California Naturalist, and previously wrote a syndicated column exploring the natural world. As a teen exchange student she lived in Lima, Peru, and traveled the same route into the jungle that frames Juliane’s story.
Ellen lives in Sacramento, where she champions literacy, nature education, and conservation. A portion of proceeds from “Follow the Water” supports the Panguana Foundation.
Inspiration
Miss Fitzgerald is part of the rhythm of my days. She’s my walking partner padding beside me along the American river, forest trails, and quiet neighborhoods. Being outdoors with her reminds me to notice details, breathe more deeply, and let ideas surface at their own pace. She doesn’t critique my work, but she makes the writing life steadier and more balanced.
