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A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out
The true story of how a massive catastrophic eruption plunged the world into darkness, altering the global climate and inspiring the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—from the award-winning author of The Mona Lisa Vanishes and featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout.
“A tour-de-force for our times . . . At once a heart-stopping tale of climate change and a profoundly hopeful call to action.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winner for The One and Only Ivan
A ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK • A YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST • A SCBWI GOLDEN KITE AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Horn Book, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, The Boston Globe Blue Ribbon Awards List
The world was upside-down. The wind was fire. The sky was ash. The rain was rock.
A couple of hundred years ago, on a quiet Indonesian island, a volcano called Tambora erupted with a force and violence that changed history.
It tore apart the island, and in the months and years that followed, its fallout tore apart the world. The sun refused to shine; the rain refused to stop. Everything that everyone assumed would always be there—a world that made sense, a climate that made sense—was suddenly gone.
From this riot of thunder and lightning, a young woman named Mary Shelley conceived of a scientist and his cursed creature. From the nightmare of Tambora, she wrote a nightmare of a Frankenstein—a terrifying reminder of how much damage we humans might do, without even realizing it.
This is the story of a volcano that changed the world and a creature that changed us.
Once upon a time, everything was different. And no one knew if it would ever be the same.
In this masterful work, Nicholas Day, author of the Sibert Award–winning The Mona Lisa Vanishes, brings us a story taken from the archives but seemingly scripted for us a tale of climate change and human folly and hope—and what happens when the world suddenly goes wrong.
“A tour-de-force for our times . . . At once a heart-stopping tale of climate change and a profoundly hopeful call to action.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winner for The One and Only Ivan
A ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK • A YALSA EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FINALIST • A SCBWI GOLDEN KITE AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Horn Book, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, The Boston Globe Blue Ribbon Awards List
The world was upside-down. The wind was fire. The sky was ash. The rain was rock.
A couple of hundred years ago, on a quiet Indonesian island, a volcano called Tambora erupted with a force and violence that changed history.
It tore apart the island, and in the months and years that followed, its fallout tore apart the world. The sun refused to shine; the rain refused to stop. Everything that everyone assumed would always be there—a world that made sense, a climate that made sense—was suddenly gone.
From this riot of thunder and lightning, a young woman named Mary Shelley conceived of a scientist and his cursed creature. From the nightmare of Tambora, she wrote a nightmare of a Frankenstein—a terrifying reminder of how much damage we humans might do, without even realizing it.
This is the story of a volcano that changed the world and a creature that changed us.
Once upon a time, everything was different. And no one knew if it would ever be the same.
In this masterful work, Nicholas Day, author of the Sibert Award–winning The Mona Lisa Vanishes, brings us a story taken from the archives but seemingly scripted for us a tale of climate change and human folly and hope—and what happens when the world suddenly goes wrong.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2025
About the author
Nicholas Day
7 books56 followersNicholas Day is the author of The Mona Lisa Vanishes, illustrated by Brett Helquist, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for nonfiction; A World Without Summer, illustrated by Yas Imamura; and Nothing: John Cage and 4’33”, illustrated by Chris Raschka. For adults, he’s the author of Baby Meets World, a work about the science and history of infancy, which Mary Roach called “a perfect book.” He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
June 28, 2026
What a phenomenal read! Not only was this fascinating, but it was also engaging and accessible for all readers.
What Worked: EVERYTHING. I've been meaning to read Nicholas Day's other title The Mona Lisa Vanishes for a while; however, I never got the opportunity to pick it up. However, I knew that I wanted to read this title immediately. There is a part of me that is drawn to historical disasters and this book definitely fits that description. The primary focus of this book is not just the volcano itself, but it's overwhelming impact on the globe because of the devastating climate shift. I was shocked that I knew nothing about it. The inventions, the art, the literature, the music that came from the devastation are all highlighted within the pages of this book. Day has a unique way of developing his books so that they are accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. It's history and science combined into a captivating, thrilling read. There is also this lingering question about the impact of humans on climate now. Day doesn't make the connection for readers, but he does present the evidence in a way that makes the reader question how the world will continue to change as a result of our currently climate crisis.
Overall, this was a great read. It was fast paced and compelling and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year.
What Worked: EVERYTHING. I've been meaning to read Nicholas Day's other title The Mona Lisa Vanishes for a while; however, I never got the opportunity to pick it up. However, I knew that I wanted to read this title immediately. There is a part of me that is drawn to historical disasters and this book definitely fits that description. The primary focus of this book is not just the volcano itself, but it's overwhelming impact on the globe because of the devastating climate shift. I was shocked that I knew nothing about it. The inventions, the art, the literature, the music that came from the devastation are all highlighted within the pages of this book. Day has a unique way of developing his books so that they are accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. It's history and science combined into a captivating, thrilling read. There is also this lingering question about the impact of humans on climate now. Day doesn't make the connection for readers, but he does present the evidence in a way that makes the reader question how the world will continue to change as a result of our currently climate crisis.
Overall, this was a great read. It was fast paced and compelling and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of the year.
November 7, 2025
This middle grade nonfiction title about the ramifications of a volcanic eruption in 1816 was fascinating, but definitely agenda-driven. The author is forthcoming about the fact that he sees what happened in 1816 - dramatic climate change resulting in bizarre weather and catastrophic famine and disease - as the harbinger for present-day climate change and tries to use the details of the historical events to inspire action in the present day. I don't give my kids books that draw conclusions like this on their behalf, especially when our interest in this topic is primarily historical and not ecological, so I will be opting not to share it with them. But I think this is a fantastic topic for a book, and I went down the rabbit hole looking up even more information after I finished reading what was presented here. I do think there could have been a little less about Mary Shelley, but having just read Frankenstein this year, I did find all of that information very interesting.
September 6, 2025
ARC Review!!!
This book is truly a phenomenal book!!!📖
The history behind it to bringing the reader to read in a different perspective is incredible!
And the artwork is beautiful!!
This is definitely one of my new favorites!
This book is truly a phenomenal book!!!📖
The history behind it to bringing the reader to read in a different perspective is incredible!
And the artwork is beautiful!!
This is definitely one of my new favorites!
January 24, 2026
Wow! This book is a work of genius. It’s hard to describe but I’ll give it a shot. Nicholas Day (author of The Mona Lisa Vanishes) brings another layered nonfiction middle grade book that transcends the genre. He ties a volcanic eruption on an island in Indonesia in 1815 to Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein to modern day climate change…and he does it phenomenally well.
This book is not for the faint of heart. I would only hand this to the more resilient middle grade readers who love tales of tragedy. Empathetic, sensitive readers might be too traumatized. But Titanic-obsessed, natural disaster, I Survived fans would probably love it. I could even see this book paired with Frankenstein in high school (heck even college courses) and it would lead to some very interesting discussions.
I love reading cause and effect history and science books. I love when the dots are connected in my knowledge base and light bulbs are lit in my brain. This is that type of book. It reminded me of Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green in that way. This book has me thinking, “Everything IS the Tambora volcano eruption.”
This book is not for the faint of heart. I would only hand this to the more resilient middle grade readers who love tales of tragedy. Empathetic, sensitive readers might be too traumatized. But Titanic-obsessed, natural disaster, I Survived fans would probably love it. I could even see this book paired with Frankenstein in high school (heck even college courses) and it would lead to some very interesting discussions.
I love reading cause and effect history and science books. I love when the dots are connected in my knowledge base and light bulbs are lit in my brain. This is that type of book. It reminded me of Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green in that way. This book has me thinking, “Everything IS the Tambora volcano eruption.”
May 26, 2026
A volcano erupts in Indonesia; the weather fails in Europe and America; crops rot or freeze; people riot, migrate, starve, cope, create. The central point of this book is that we live, have always lived, in a deeply interconnected world, whether or not our technologies and psychology allow us to grasp it, and that point does land pretty cleanly.
Beyond that, though, I really enjoyed Day’s exploration of how people reacted to the impact of this catastrophe—especially those on the other side of the world, who couldn’t see the connection between that distant event and their own disrupted lives. The grasping for understanding, the scrambling to adapt and respond. People across the world faced a mystifying series of dreadful repercussions, and struggled mightily to comprehend their source—sunspots? divine retribution? war? the cessation of war? lightning rods? And it’s not just that they didn’t discover the truth; what was so intriguing was the desperate places they looked for it. It’s not simply that they were lacking information—they just had no idea what they had no idea about, and in the intellectual hubris which is so common among us, they mistook the limits of their own knowledge for the limits of what was knowable. It’s a fascinating lens on human understanding.
I have to admit, I also appreciated Day’s deep focus on Mary Shelley and the writing of Frankenstein (one of my favorite books). He may be overstating the effect of the climate on her mood and her creative output, and he may be stretching to apply her allegory to the larger narrative. But he draws some intriguing insights, and paints a vivid picture of the process she went through to generate that pivotal work. Plus he rightfully rakes her husband over the coals, and I’m here for that as well.
Beyond that, though, I really enjoyed Day’s exploration of how people reacted to the impact of this catastrophe—especially those on the other side of the world, who couldn’t see the connection between that distant event and their own disrupted lives. The grasping for understanding, the scrambling to adapt and respond. People across the world faced a mystifying series of dreadful repercussions, and struggled mightily to comprehend their source—sunspots? divine retribution? war? the cessation of war? lightning rods? And it’s not just that they didn’t discover the truth; what was so intriguing was the desperate places they looked for it. It’s not simply that they were lacking information—they just had no idea what they had no idea about, and in the intellectual hubris which is so common among us, they mistook the limits of their own knowledge for the limits of what was knowable. It’s a fascinating lens on human understanding.
I have to admit, I also appreciated Day’s deep focus on Mary Shelley and the writing of Frankenstein (one of my favorite books). He may be overstating the effect of the climate on her mood and her creative output, and he may be stretching to apply her allegory to the larger narrative. But he draws some intriguing insights, and paints a vivid picture of the process she went through to generate that pivotal work. Plus he rightfully rakes her husband over the coals, and I’m here for that as well.
Percy was a genius, and Mary made the allowances for him that people have always made for genius. But she was also a genius, and no one made allowances for her.I can’t say what that has to do with the eruption at Tambora, but I’ll take it.
September 28, 2025
Not without flaws, but readers will probably be willing to overlook these because this is an untold story. Similar to Everything is Tuberculosis, as it connects a single distant event, the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, to a chain of catastrophes—though a prominent Mary Shelley storyline felt tangential.
Shelley’s life and experiences following the eruption are included to build an analogy to climate change, with humans as Frankenstein, and the climate his monster. This is a very clever, but also odd and unnecessary approach. The volcano is analogy enough. While this shows that the eruption was a global event, it also gives a surprisingly Western emphasis to the disaster. It is also potentially confusing to kids who might misunderstand and believe Frankenstein has more than a very indirect connection to Tambora.
The emergence of cholera following the eruption was fascinating and could have been expanded on and related to future disease threats. These more direct effects of the eruption are interesting enough to standalone and get readers thinking about a world without a winter.
Shelley’s life and experiences following the eruption are included to build an analogy to climate change, with humans as Frankenstein, and the climate his monster. This is a very clever, but also odd and unnecessary approach. The volcano is analogy enough. While this shows that the eruption was a global event, it also gives a surprisingly Western emphasis to the disaster. It is also potentially confusing to kids who might misunderstand and believe Frankenstein has more than a very indirect connection to Tambora.
The emergence of cholera following the eruption was fascinating and could have been expanded on and related to future disease threats. These more direct effects of the eruption are interesting enough to standalone and get readers thinking about a world without a winter.
November 11, 2025
I loved this.
January 1, 2026
Absolutely phenomenal! I learned SO MUCH from this MG / YA nonfiction page turner 🌋
Source: school library hardcover
Source: school library hardcover
December 7, 2025
"It all comes back to the ash."
Between 3 and 4 stars.
An engaging , quasi-narrative non-fiction work that might just (pardon the unintended pun) spark a fire of interest in historical events for younger readers.
The book follows the eruption of Mount Tambora and the aftermath that followed, which extended far beyond the volcano's immediate range and impacted countless lives--and the world--in immeasurable ways.
I found the messages in the book critically important for young (and let's be honest, older) readers today. Both the overarching messages of noticing what's going on in the world around you and taking action on it, and messages regarding helping others, acknowledging (and changing) the wide gap between the rich and the poor, and so on.
There is, perhaps, a bit too much of an emphasis on Mary Shelley... considering that the book repeatedly discusses the longstanding effects of the eruption, it's not unusual that her story is brought up, but I don't know that we needed to return to it repeatedly in order for the author to connect the book's themes to some of those found in Frankenstein. (But I did learn that Mary Shelley was, apparently, once bitten by a squirrel. So maybe it was worth it.)
Speaking of "apparently"--how much of the book is backed by solid sources? Well... now and then, the book does quote (or claims it is quoting--since there are no footnotes, it's not easy to check!) letters, newspaper articles, etc, which are refreshing and add more historical context to the sometimes sparse narration.
But... while the back of the book does contain an extensive bibliography, because it's written in a conversational style, there are no footnotes and no pointers for readers who might want to uncover the sources behind the events, people and claims made in the book.
(Some of which require more than a little scrutiny--it is a strange that the author at one point claims that until 1816, the poor generally hadn't protested or rioted against being hungry, while in the same book, it repeatedly talks about monarchs and the elite were worried because of the French Revolution. To say nothing of the various riots and protests throughout history prior to even the French Revolution of 1789... why would the elites be worried about discontented poor people, without the history of what happens when those people starve?)
It is frustrating, as someone with a longstanding interest in being open with where claims are coming from. I do recognize that this style of writing is not the norm for younger non-fiction, especially not this type of narrative style which is not intended to be rigorously academic but is meant to be something that hooks readers and doesn't let go.
Which it does! So I can set aside those scruples. Mostly.
The final chapter should be sobering for younger and older readers alike.
Between 3 and 4 stars.
An engaging , quasi-narrative non-fiction work that might just (pardon the unintended pun) spark a fire of interest in historical events for younger readers.
The book follows the eruption of Mount Tambora and the aftermath that followed, which extended far beyond the volcano's immediate range and impacted countless lives--and the world--in immeasurable ways.
I found the messages in the book critically important for young (and let's be honest, older) readers today. Both the overarching messages of noticing what's going on in the world around you and taking action on it, and messages regarding helping others, acknowledging (and changing) the wide gap between the rich and the poor, and so on.
There is, perhaps, a bit too much of an emphasis on Mary Shelley... considering that the book repeatedly discusses the longstanding effects of the eruption, it's not unusual that her story is brought up, but I don't know that we needed to return to it repeatedly in order for the author to connect the book's themes to some of those found in Frankenstein. (But I did learn that Mary Shelley was, apparently, once bitten by a squirrel. So maybe it was worth it.)
Speaking of "apparently"--how much of the book is backed by solid sources? Well... now and then, the book does quote (or claims it is quoting--since there are no footnotes, it's not easy to check!) letters, newspaper articles, etc, which are refreshing and add more historical context to the sometimes sparse narration.
But... while the back of the book does contain an extensive bibliography, because it's written in a conversational style, there are no footnotes and no pointers for readers who might want to uncover the sources behind the events, people and claims made in the book.
(Some of which require more than a little scrutiny--it is a strange that the author at one point claims that until 1816, the poor generally hadn't protested or rioted against being hungry, while in the same book, it repeatedly talks about monarchs and the elite were worried because of the French Revolution. To say nothing of the various riots and protests throughout history prior to even the French Revolution of 1789... why would the elites be worried about discontented poor people, without the history of what happens when those people starve?)
It is frustrating, as someone with a longstanding interest in being open with where claims are coming from. I do recognize that this style of writing is not the norm for younger non-fiction, especially not this type of narrative style which is not intended to be rigorously academic but is meant to be something that hooks readers and doesn't let go.
Which it does! So I can set aside those scruples. Mostly.
The final chapter should be sobering for younger and older readers alike.
December 5, 2025
A well written and timely story of climate shock and its aftermath. For kids who want to read more about climate change. I do think it will take some hand selling to get most kids to pick it up. And while I loved the Mary Shelley/ Frankenstein angle, I’m curious about how many kids would be into that part. It reads fast, and the story of the volcanic eruption and how it affected the world is well told.
June 2, 2026
Nicholas Day has done it again. His ability to weave history, geography and sociology around iconic art, like Frankenstein, in this book and the Mona Lisa in his previous book written for young people is truly remarkable. Highly recommend!
July 5, 2025
OUT - F'ING - STANDING!
Day writes the most engaging nonfiction, true crime at its best, even if the crime is a volcano going off. He show what is meant when Detective Lester Freamon in THE WIRE says the line "All the pieces matter."
Day writes the most engaging nonfiction, true crime at its best, even if the crime is a volcano going off. He show what is meant when Detective Lester Freamon in THE WIRE says the line "All the pieces matter."
July 9, 2026
The kids and I found this to be really interesting (also so sad!), but didn’t enjoy it as much as Mona Lisa Vanishes. The environmental components were good, but I didn’t feel like they fully coalesced as I would have wanted them to. The connections to Mary Shelley were especially interesting since we’ve read a Frankenstein adaptation before. Overall, good but not great.
June 16, 2026
A really well researched book about the connections between a volcano eruption, Mary Shelley and climate change.
How are these things connected, you might ask…read it and find out. The execution of Nicolas Days books are next level.
A MSBA nominee for 26|27.
How are these things connected, you might ask…read it and find out. The execution of Nicolas Days books are next level.
A MSBA nominee for 26|27.
February 19, 2026
turns out i'm a huge fan of middle-grade non-fiction
Did Not Finish
May 25, 2026This was a family read aloud and none of my siblings were enjoying it (we haven’t done much nonfiction) so we’re going to read something else instead.
October 6, 2025
4.5!
Too much Mary Shelley backstory to keep the focus, but such a great narrative non-fiction socio-enviro account that pivots towards a call to empathy and action.
Too much Mary Shelley backstory to keep the focus, but such a great narrative non-fiction socio-enviro account that pivots towards a call to empathy and action.
November 29, 2025
Fascinating. Listened to this as we drove all over Costa Rica. Learned a ton!
December 16, 2025
It was good but seemed disjointed. Loved the historical and literary connections but it struggled to flow
January 21, 2026
It shouldn't snow in the summer.
Humans do not eat porcupines.
People don not sell themselves into slavery.
Sheep should not wear sweaters.
And yet all of these happen in 'A World Without Summer.' Wonderfully written, and impossible to put down, this book blends history, biography, and science into an unbelievable account of some of the darkest, coldest, and somehow forgotten years in human history.
Humans do not eat porcupines.
People don not sell themselves into slavery.
Sheep should not wear sweaters.
And yet all of these happen in 'A World Without Summer.' Wonderfully written, and impossible to put down, this book blends history, biography, and science into an unbelievable account of some of the darkest, coldest, and somehow forgotten years in human history.
November 8, 2025
A well written nonfiction book about the eruption of the volcano Mount Tambora and how it caused global climate change with clever tie-ins to Mary Shelley’s life and writing of Frankenstein. Targeted to young adults but great for us big adults as well. This will be on award lists. Fantastical written!
October 16, 2025
excellent writing about an explosion of a South Sea volcano and the world wide after effects. But too much pontificating on climate change. Kids today have enough stress.
November 8, 2025
The author's previous book ("Mona Lisa Vanishes") was written for middle schoolers, but is legit one of my favorite books of the past decade. So... when I saw that the author had a new title ("A World Without Summer"), I eagerly scooped it up.
Both books have similarities:
(1) Both books feature two main stories - "Mona Lisa Vanishes" includes the story of how the Mona Lisa was originally painted, and the story of how it was stolen centuries later. "A World Without Summer" includes the volcanic explosion at Tambora and the writing of "Frankenstein." All four of these stories were ones I wasn't super familiar with before.
(2) Both stories included in both books were told with fantastic research, and plenty of quirky anecdotes that kept my interest and were so fun to hear.
(3) The stories were well told and woven together beautifully.
(4) The author draws out life lessons that connect both stories in each book.
So: I was able to find so much of what I loved from "Mona Lisa Vanishes" in this book, which was a REALLY good thing given how much I loved that book. I will concede I didn't think "A World Without Summer" is quite as tight as "Mona Lisa Vanishes." It tries to follow a similar structure, and didn't QUITE pull it off as well. Still, it's great in its own right. Maybe a 4.5 rounded up.
Both books have similarities:
(1) Both books feature two main stories - "Mona Lisa Vanishes" includes the story of how the Mona Lisa was originally painted, and the story of how it was stolen centuries later. "A World Without Summer" includes the volcanic explosion at Tambora and the writing of "Frankenstein." All four of these stories were ones I wasn't super familiar with before.
(2) Both stories included in both books were told with fantastic research, and plenty of quirky anecdotes that kept my interest and were so fun to hear.
(3) The stories were well told and woven together beautifully.
(4) The author draws out life lessons that connect both stories in each book.
So: I was able to find so much of what I loved from "Mona Lisa Vanishes" in this book, which was a REALLY good thing given how much I loved that book. I will concede I didn't think "A World Without Summer" is quite as tight as "Mona Lisa Vanishes." It tries to follow a similar structure, and didn't QUITE pull it off as well. Still, it's great in its own right. Maybe a 4.5 rounded up.
January 17, 2026
Nicholas Day does a phenomenal job in writing engaging nonfiction. Growing up I didn’t like nonfiction. It was dry and boring. Both this book and the Siebert winning the Mona Lisa Vanishes introduce topics to readers that either are unknown or presented in a much more fun way.
A World without Summer. I will admit was not my favorite on a personal level. I’m not a science girl. Never have been never will be. I agree with other comments above that this book could have benefited from graphs and charts for the non-scientific minded person. However, the language shows how it is deserving of the Newbery medal. All along I was aware of the setting in which this took place. Having read other books, I knew we would go on side tangents and as a literary nut. I enjoyed all of the history surrounding Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, and Frankenstein.
This book is not in my top five when I'm looking at it for my mock Newbery discussion. However, I definitely hope I see a medal on its jacket come awards time. Also, I hope it gets read by the masses as it explores a very important topic: how we have a responsibility to this planet to take care of it before it implodes on itself
A World without Summer. I will admit was not my favorite on a personal level. I’m not a science girl. Never have been never will be. I agree with other comments above that this book could have benefited from graphs and charts for the non-scientific minded person. However, the language shows how it is deserving of the Newbery medal. All along I was aware of the setting in which this took place. Having read other books, I knew we would go on side tangents and as a literary nut. I enjoyed all of the history surrounding Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, and Frankenstein.
This book is not in my top five when I'm looking at it for my mock Newbery discussion. However, I definitely hope I see a medal on its jacket come awards time. Also, I hope it gets read by the masses as it explores a very important topic: how we have a responsibility to this planet to take care of it before it implodes on itself
May 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for sending me a physical arc copy!! <3
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day was such an easy non-fiction read. I went into this completely blind and didn't even know it was non-fiction. Because this was a middle-grade/YA book, it was extremely easy to understand everything, even if you had no previous knowledge of Mount Tambora. I didn't know this volcano even existed, or about the 1815 eruption, but this book so fully encapsulated everything that happened. It was so interesting to learn about the volcano, the eruption in Indonesia, and the long-lived effects and how it affected everyone globally. I love learning about history, but most books are usually dense and entirely too long. This book made learning about Mount Tambora so accessible, while making it interesting and entertaining to read about. It was so cool to learn about something so disastrous that happened so long ago, and how it even led to Mary Shelley's iconic Frankenstein, a book I read but had no clue about its deep-rooted history. This was truly such an interesting, entertaining, and informative read.
Thank you, Penguin Teen, for sending me a physical arc copy!! <3
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day was such an easy non-fiction read. I went into this completely blind and didn't even know it was non-fiction. Because this was a middle-grade/YA book, it was extremely easy to understand everything, even if you had no previous knowledge of Mount Tambora. I didn't know this volcano even existed, or about the 1815 eruption, but this book so fully encapsulated everything that happened. It was so interesting to learn about the volcano, the eruption in Indonesia, and the long-lived effects and how it affected everyone globally. I love learning about history, but most books are usually dense and entirely too long. This book made learning about Mount Tambora so accessible, while making it interesting and entertaining to read about. It was so cool to learn about something so disastrous that happened so long ago, and how it even led to Mary Shelley's iconic Frankenstein, a book I read but had no clue about its deep-rooted history. This was truly such an interesting, entertaining, and informative read.
June 23, 2026
Wow, this book packs a punch! I was intrigued by the setup: a parallel between the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora and the writing of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Day draws compelling connections between these two seemingly unrelated occurrences, and then threads the needle through the present timeline and current climate change challenges. My only criticism is that at times Shelley's storyline seemed to take a back seat to the larger story about climate change, although that may have been intentional. I think it's also worth noting that Mount Tambora erupted from natural causes, namely extreme pressure beneath the earth, whereas climate disasters today are often caused by (or at least worsened by) human activity and industry. Still, I think the triangulation between Mount Tambora, Shelley's Frankenstein and the present is effective. The author doesn't explicitly connect the dots, but provides questions to the readers every so often to encourage their own critical thinking. The text was incredibly accessible and engaging. Like other reviewers, I found myself researching additional information both during and after my completion of the book.
July 12, 2026
2.5
This was an excellent book! The reason for the low rating was that I was expecting more of an in-depth exploration. I didn't realise it was a middle-grade work until I had already started reading, and found the prose a little juvenile. However, if I were to judge it by its intended merit, it really was very good.
Although I was already aware of the events that transpired in the early nineteenth century, I had no idea that the famines were a product of the Tamboura eruption, so that was interesting.
I also think the conversation surrounding weather and just general climate was very tastefully done, especially for a younger audience.
[Side note, it was so interesting how people didn't use to track weather and its patterns. We take so many things for granted.]
I loved the exploration of past European governments - how they didn't think they had the onus to take care of their people - and how revolutionary the idea was when they finally did. Oh, and I also loved learning more about Mary Shelley! Though, that reminds me that I have to read Frankenstein.
Anyways, although this book wasn't an intricate or analytical as I'd initially presumed (because it was not adult non-fiction) I'd highly recommend it to middle-grade aged children, and perhaps older ones too.
This was an excellent book! The reason for the low rating was that I was expecting more of an in-depth exploration. I didn't realise it was a middle-grade work until I had already started reading, and found the prose a little juvenile. However, if I were to judge it by its intended merit, it really was very good.
Although I was already aware of the events that transpired in the early nineteenth century, I had no idea that the famines were a product of the Tamboura eruption, so that was interesting.
I also think the conversation surrounding weather and just general climate was very tastefully done, especially for a younger audience.
[Side note, it was so interesting how people didn't use to track weather and its patterns. We take so many things for granted.]
I loved the exploration of past European governments - how they didn't think they had the onus to take care of their people - and how revolutionary the idea was when they finally did. Oh, and I also loved learning more about Mary Shelley! Though, that reminds me that I have to read Frankenstein.
Anyways, although this book wasn't an intricate or analytical as I'd initially presumed (because it was not adult non-fiction) I'd highly recommend it to middle-grade aged children, and perhaps older ones too.
January 13, 2026
Something about the way he writes gives me goosebumps. In a good way. I appreciated the repeated asking of questions to tie the reader into the situation that seems past but is actually present. While I had known about a volcano causing bad weather and that leading to the writing of Frankenstein, I had never even heard about the rest of it. The famines, the social unrest, and these giving rise to modern meteorology and social welfare systems. It really is fascinating how things can interconnect without people in the present connecting those dots.
Also appreciate how much disdain the writer clearly has for Percy Shelley and the men in Mary's life. Agreed.
Also appreciate how much disdain the writer clearly has for Percy Shelley and the men in Mary's life. Agreed.
January 28, 2026
I love those kind of books that you can literally not put down. I read this book, almost, in one sitting. Fascinating, frightening, eerily parallel to what’s happening with our climate right now—very little snow in Park City, a record-breaking low this year with feet of snow in unusual and unexpected places in the Midwest and the East. Nicolas Day brings threads together from so many different sources—science, literature, disease, historical record, religion and on and on. I was delighted with the connection to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the dismal, sunless summer she, Shelley and Lord Byron spent in Switzerland. I was stunned by the famine, starvation, and complete lack of agricultural production in the years following the eruption of Tambora. I loved the author’s musings and banter with the reader. So well written and researched. I learned so much.
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