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Reviewed by: Becky Hibbert, Elementary School Librarian Title: Two Degrees Author: Alan Gratz Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 4-8 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Mention of bodies/scenes of nature devastation Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I've been a big fan of Alan Gratz since I read "Refugee" with my middle school book club! If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: A riveting, fast-paced thriller that details a frightening future if we don't start taking care of our planet. |
Review:
Two Degrees highlights the frightening vision that might be our future if more care is not taken to at least slow the wildly negative effects of climate change on our planet. The story follows three separate storylines, each taking place on a day when climate change rears its ugly head. Akira is riding her horse along with her father when a wildfire breaks out in the woods of California where her family lives. Two boys are trapped in a nightmare of a Canadian winter wonderland when the melting ice caps brings a polar bear too close for comfort, and the boys are forced to try and evade the beast. Natalie is living in Miama when a hurricane of epic proportion hits, and she loses things that are precious to her.
Typical of a Gratz novel, the material is flawlessly researched, and Gratz's engaging writing style keeps the story moving along at a fast pace; the short chapters lend themselves to a quick read as well. Each teen is relatable and comes with their own set of well-developed issues that every reader can find a way to relate to. The characters are believable, the dialogue is realistic, and the descriptive scenes will have readers on the edge of their seats and rooting for the characters. As always, Gratz wraps up the timeline in a way that brings all the separate storylines and characters together. Readers will be rooting for the characters and - most likely - more knowledgeable about climate change issues than they were before, as I was.
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