Product Description
From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a “thought-provoking…wonderful” (School Library Journal) middle grade novel about a young girl who channels her anxiety about the climate crisis into rallying her community to save a local river.
Twelve-year-old Haven Jacobs can’t stop thinking about the climate crisis. In fact, her anxiety about the state of the planet is starting to interfere with her schoolwork, her friendships, even her sleep. She can’t stop wondering why grownups aren’t even trying to solve the earth’s problem—and if there’s anything meaningful that she, as a seventh grader, can contribute.
When Haven’s social studies teacher urges her to find a specific, manageable way to make a difference to the planet, Haven focuses on the annual science class project at the local Belmont River, where her class will take samples of the water to analyze. Students have been doing the project for years, and her older brother tells her that his favorite part was studying and catching frogs.
But when Haven and her classmates get to the river, there’s no sign of frogs or other wildlife—but there is ample evidence of pollution. The only thing that’s changed by the river is the opening of Gemba, the new factory where Haven’s dad works. It doesn’t take much investigation before Haven is convinced Gemba is behind the slow pollution of the river.
She’s determined to expose Gemba and force them to clean up their act. But when it becomes clear taking action might put her dad’s job—and some friendships—in jeopardy, Haven must decide how far she’s willing to go.
From School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Middle grade author and tough topics expert Dee returns with a thought-provoking look at the very prevalent, but little known, issue of eco-anxiety and how it is affecting our youth. Seventh grader Haven Jacobs lives in the small town of Belmont with her family, and while she is hypersensitive worrying about climate change, she thinks she is alone in her thoughts. When her science teacher Mr. Hendricks announces the annual River Project to study the local Belmont River, Haven is excited to further the research that is compared and reported yearly. However, when Haven and her classmates find the river vastly changed from just two years ago (when her brother, Carter, did the project), Haven's anxiety ramps up. The water has become more acidic, there are no more frogs, and Haven worries that Gemba, the new factory in town, could be to blame. Haven's father works at Gemba, and Haven worries about what she suspects, as it may jeopardize her father as well as her friendship with Kenji, the son of the man running the company. Haven wants to make a difference for the planet, but feels her efforts can matter little. VERDICT Dee has deftly brought the important topic of eco-anxiety to the fore, while developing a wonderful story about juggling normal middle school worries such as friendships, crushes, and sibling issues.-Michele Shawα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Middle grade author and tough topics expert Dee returns with a thought-provoking look at the very prevalent, but little known, issue of eco-anxiety and how it is affecting our youth. Dee has deftly brought the important topic of eco-anxiety to the fore, while developing a wonderful story about juggling normal middle school worries such as friendships, crushes, and sibling issues. ― School Library Journal
"Though Dee (Violets Are Blue) offers no easy answers about how an individual can make a significant impact, Haven’s endeavors are earnestly wrought, and her compassionate heart and interpersonal conflicts balance the book’s environmental thrust." -- Publishers Weekly
"A powerful depiction of the impact of climate change on a young activist’s mental health." ― Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Barbara Dee is the author of twelve middle grade novels including Violets A
