For the child feeling overwhelmed by big global problems, this story empowers them to find their voice and make a tangible difference in their community.
A parent would reach for this book when their child feels anxious or helpless about climate change and wants to take action. The story follows eighth grader Mary Kate, who starts a climate club with her friends. Their small project snowballs into a major investigation of corporate pollution in their town, forcing them to learn about activism, community organizing, and using their voices to protect what they love. This book tackles eco-anxiety head-on, validating a child's big feelings while providing a hopeful and empowering example of how kids can make a tangible impact. It's a perfect read for showing young activists that their passion, research, and teamwork can lead to real, meaningful change.
The primary sensitive topic is eco-anxiety. The book directly addresses the fear, frustration, and sadness children experience in the face of climate change. The approach is secular and action-oriented. The resolution is both hopeful and realistic: the kids win their local battle, but the larger problem of climate change remains. The story also touches on corporate malfeasance and the failures of adults to protect the environment, presented in a way that is accessible for middle graders.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 9-12 year old who is aware of environmental issues and feels a mix of anger, fear, and a desire to do something about it. It’s perfect for a budding activist, a science-minded kid, or any child struggling to feel powerful in a world of big problems.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but parents should be ready for conversations about real-world environmental justice, corporate responsibility, and civic engagement. It provides an excellent, concrete springboard for discussing what the family can do locally. Previewing is not necessary, but a follow-up conversation to process the themes is highly recommended. A parent has overheard their child say, "What's the point? The grown-ups have ruined everything," or has noticed their child seems especially sad or worried after a school lesson on climate change or a news report about a natural disaster.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-10) will connect with the friendship dynamics, the excitement of the club's investigation, and the clear good-versus-evil plot. An older reader (11-12) will better appreciate the nuances of activism, the scientific research involved, the political hurdles, and the complex emotional weight of eco-anxiety.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that focus on individual actions (like recycling), this story provides a practical, inspiring blueprint for collective, community-level activism. It demystifies the process of creating change by showing kids using research, public speaking, and organizing as their tools, making it feel achievable and incredibly empowering.
Read plot summary
Eighth grader Mary Kate, feeling overwhelmed by eco-anxiety, starts a climate club with her best friend. Their initial goal to clean a local creek escalates dramatically when they discover evidence that a powerful local corporation is illegally dumping waste, threatening a beloved forest. The kids must learn grassroots activism on the fly, conducting research, making public presentations, organizing protests, and navigating the complexities of local politics and media. They face significant opposition from adults in power but ultimately galvanize their community to fight for environmental justice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The first rule of climate club is 'Don't be a jerk.' Why do you think Mary Kate chose this as the most important rule? How did it help the club when they faced people who disagreed with them?
2
Mary Kate and her friend Lucy had very different ideas about the best way to run the club and get their message out. Have you ever disagreed with a friend on a big project? How did they manage to work together despite their differences?
3
The kids in the club used many different tactics to fight the company, from testing water samples to making videos and speaking at town meetings. Which tactic do you think was the most effective and why?
4
At several points, Mary Kate feels completely overwhelmed and wants to give up. What helps her find the strength to keep going? What helps you when you feel overwhelmed by a big problem?
