TWO DEGREES, by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
Four kids fight for their lives during three climate disasters in Alan Gratz’s nail-biting new middle-grade novel, Two Degrees.
Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters.
Four kids fighting for their lives.
Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks–and grows scarily fast. How can she make it to safety when there are flames everywhere?
Owen and his best friend, George, are used to seeing polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when one bear gets way too close for comfort, do the boys have any chance of surviving?
Natalie hunkers down at home as a massive hurricane barrels toward Miami. When the floodwaters crash into her house, Natalie is dragged out into the storm — with nowhere to hide.
Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them — and could alter their destinies forever. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
Alan Gratz is an immersive writer. From the moment you start reading to the moment you stop, you are right there with his characters — breathing in smoke, shivering in the cold and holding on for dear life.
The title of the book, Two Degrees, is a reference to Earth’s rising temperature and the changes in climate directly related to that. In order to show how varying the effects of climate change are, Gratz focused on three regions in North America. Each story unfolds in alternating sections that are unique unto themselves but compliment the others.
Two Degrees is so successful because Gratz doesn’t just kids about climate change, Gratz drops them straight into it. Kids from all walks of life understand natural disasters — wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought etc. hit just about everyone in the United States. The story is relatable and helps readers understand how widespread the problem is.
Gratz’s characters are likeable, but more importantly, they’re real. Their hopes, dreams, fears and imperfections add to Two Degrees’ overall authenticity.
Two Degrees is a fast-paced read that will appeal to fans of the I Survived and Survivor Diaries series.
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