Gr 3–8—Twelve-year-old Haven Jacobs's anxiety about climate change turns into an opportunity for action when a
science project shows the local impact of pollution. Dee gets at the heart of anxiety, friendships, and taking an active
role in one's life in this resonant contemporary novel.

Haven is sensitive and anxious by nature but it worsens the more she learns about climate change and its impact on the planet. A science class study of the local river indicates negative changes over the past couple of years and the presence of a toxin. Haven is desperate to do something NOW but no one, especially the adults, seems to understand the urgency to act. As in her book "Maybe He Just Likes You," author Barbara Dee has a knack for acknowledging the complex emotions of tweens. A highly relevant book for our anxious times and for kids similarly worried about their future on earth. ( )

This is a great book about eco-anxiety. I love that the main character is vegetarian and is considering becoming vegan. I love that she cares about climate change/the planet and that she cares about animals.

Haven is a relatable and believable character. I love her and think that most of the characters are also well written. This is a truly realistic children’s realistic fiction novel. I appreciate that. There are only a couple of minor things that made it not perfect for me but it’s still a full 5 stars worthy book.

I think this is an fine book for people of all ages. Highly recommended for readers age 9-12 and for classroom and family reading aloud. It’s a wonderful discussion book and a good book to pair with doing some sort of environmental project or projects.

I looked up other books by this author and they all look good and I would have loved them when I was 9-12 and wish there had been more books like that available when I was the target age. There are so many outstanding books for kids now! This one is topical and important and a great addition to the genre.

Charming pen and ink drawings of frogs and penguins. ( )

Haven Jacobs is anxious: about the way her relationships with her friends are changing in seventh grade, and about climate change. After seeing a video about penguins and melting glaciers in science class, Haven's eco-anxiety worsens - although it also provides a bonding opportunity with her older brother Carter, a freshman in high school who is also worried about the climate.

When a class science project shows significant, recent changes in the local river, Haven organizes an event to bring attention to the matter, and is even interviewed for the local paper, but feels she didn't have the impact she wanted. So she stages a protest, but that doesn't go as planned either. At last, her science teacher asks her to speak in public - a huge fear of hers - to the mayor and the town board.

Climate change is a serious concern for many, including - especially - kids. Haven is inspired by another [fictional?] young activist, Kirima Ansong, and supported by friends, not-friends, her brother, and her parents (although at first they don't grasp how much she cares about the issue; later, they set her up with a therapist who helps her). Haven knows she isn't going to save the planet, but works to make positive change in her corner of the world.

See also: Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King, Doll Bones by Holly Black

Quotes

Right then I had this feeling: I don't understand anything. Not just what was happening with the river, but with people, too. I never used to feel this way, but now, all of a sudden, everything felt like a giant mystery, with no identification chart. No test strips, no fancy equipment for help make sense of what I was seeing. I was on my own, in the dark. And all around me, if felt like things were changing, shifting, too fast for me to keep up. (108-109)

What was the point of knowing the truth about something if you didn't know what to do with it? (124)

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears." (social studies teacher Ms. Packer to Haven, 250)

But I didn't want to be pessimistic. About Kenji. Or the river. Or the planet. Or anything else, really.
I reminded myself what Min had said: Balls were rolling, wheels were turning. Just because I couldn't see those balls and wheels didn't mean things weren't happening. Good things. (278) ( )

Haven sees a video about penguins suffering due to climate change in science class That sets Haven onto some doom scrolling. Things are tough for Haven, her friends are changing, she doesn't know how to handle a new kid, and her dad newly re-employed by a new factory in town is stressed. When their class starts the river project and she gets paired with Kenji, the class discovers that the river is sick. Haven decides it is time to take action.
The friendship dramas and struggles ring true. Haven is surrounded by a cast of supportive adults - teachers and parents. A compelling story. ( )