Title: The Year Without a Summer
Author: Arlene Mark
Publisher: Sparkpress
Publication date: August 16, 2022
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Summary
Jamie Fulton is ecstatic when he learns that in 1815, he could have snowboarded in the summer. That was the year that the Tambora volcano erupted and caused climate changes across the world. And it’s the perfect topic for his science project about natural disasters.
Clara Montalvo disagrees. After being relocated because of a hurricane in Puerto Rico, she has a different view of natural disasters and climate change. When the two of them get into an argument in science class, it causes a disruption that puts Jamie’s grade in danger. So, the two are required to do a debate in class. A debate that will cause them to put themselves in each other’s shoes.
Review: The Year Without a Summer
Thanks to Sparkpress for an advanced copy of The Year Without a Summer to review! I was intrigued by the premise. Plus, I’m always aspiring to read more middle grade. If you’re looking for a middle grade novel that isn’t afraid to delve into the deep stuff, this is the book for you!
From the summary, you might think this book only focuses on climate change. But Jamie and Clara are struggling with so much more than that. Jamie’s brother is in the military; a decision his father didn’t agree with. Jamie struggles with this throughout the book. In a way, it’s something that makes him feel more connected to Clara. Clara’s father is still in Puerto Rico, helping other hurricane victims. As the two learn more about each other, they learn to have more compassion about their circumstances.
While there are a lot of issues included in this book, I think it’s working to make them accessible to middle grade readers. They see that Clara and Jamie can both make a different, which means that they can make a difference, too. It’s probably my favorite thing about the book overall.
There were some transitional things that I wish would have been a bit smoother, but overall, this is an informative, entertaining read.