Two Degrees

Reviewed by Rethinking Schools

Book Author: Alan Gratz

The main characters in this novel are middle school students, threatened and harmed by very different climate events, including the warming tundra, hurricanes, and forest fires. The book’s narrative rotates among the characters, weaving in facts about climate change as the youngsters’ lives become more precarious.

The fast-paced plot will hold most students’ attention through the 384-page book. Two Degrees would make an excellent literature circle book for 5th- through 8th-grade students. Gratz chose the title to highlight the Paris Agreement that committed nations to work toward capping global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels — although countries from the Global South have demanded a 1.5 degree target.

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Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
Published by Scholastic Inc. on October 4, 2022
Genres: Environment
Pages: 368
Reading Level: Grades 6-8
ISBN: 9781338735888
Review Source: Rethinking Schools
Also by this author: Refugee, Ban This Book

#1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz (Refugee; Ground Zero) is back, tackling the urgent topic of climate change in this breathtaking, action-packed novel that will keep readers turning pages while making their own plans to better the world.

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.

Bestselling author Alan Gratz is at the top of his game, shining a light on our increasingly urgent climate crisis while spinning an action-packed story that will keep readers hooked — and inspire them to take action.