The First Rule of Climate Club

by Carrie Firestone

An eighth grader starts a podcast on climate activism and rallies her friends to create lasting change in their local community and beyond, in this companion to Dress Coded .

When Mary Kate Murphy joins a special science pilot program focused on climate change, the class opens her eyes to lots of things she never noticed before about her small suburban  Kids waste tons of food at school without a second thought. Parents leave their cars running in the pick-up lane all the time. People buy lots of clothes they don’t really need. Some of her friends who live in the city and are bused to her school don’t always feel included. And the mayor isn’t willing to listen to new ideas for fixing it all. Mary Kate and her friends have big plans to bring lasting change to their community and beyond. And now is the time for the young people to lead and the leaders to follow—or get out of the way.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Climate Change, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Social Justice

354 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2022

Reviews

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am crying. Genuinely crying.
This book has PANS/PANDAS rep. It is the first trad published book to have this. I only know of one other book in existence that does (self published, My Heart to Find by Elin Annelise).
And it’s amazing. And I honestly don’t know what to say except how much it means to me to have this book in my hands.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! Dress coded is a big hit in my library and I can’t wait to recommend this one to my students. Love how it tackles racism, as well as the climate crisis and the ways that the two are intertwined. This is also a wonderful book to use with the 10 questions for young Changemakers. It’s all about youth taking action and pushing for change.

I would love to discuss this with my students for Climate Prep Week this year. I plan to buy 3-5 copies in the next few weeks and start circulating them over the summer with specific students.

[Hayley Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️!!! Crying happy tears. Making my kids read this. Cheesy and lovely and full of hope 🥹

[kennedibutwordy · Rating 4 out of 5]

-- this book was sent to me by a division of penguin teen from penguin random house publishers, so thank you so much!!!!

in this book, the characters are in a climate club at fisher middle school, which leads to them making real change in their community while delving deeper into issues like politics, race, government and etc that encourage them to change the way they see the world. i really liked how the book explored the intersectionality between race relations and environmental/climate change issues. i loved that the main character was growing in her journey of understanding and unlearning, and trying to educate her peers and parents about racism along the way.
(one star was taken off because I didn't like how it seemed like at times the black character shawn was used as a prop to teach the white main character, mary kate, about racism.) EX: +students enter a contest, the rules say all students have to live in a certain district to participate, one character, shawn doesn't live in said district. school is disqualified/doesn't participate+ {this leads to our main character asking questions and realizing why the rule from her town is rooted in inequity and racial exclusion; shawn being her friend helps her realize this; +shawn shares personal experience with mary kate, this conversation leads her to understand why such and such was wrong and is racist and etc}
aside from this, firestone's book is truly something everyone, including middle-grade readers, should read and can help someone get inspired to further research climate change and issues impacting our planet.

[Laurie]

It was so much fun to return to the world (and narrative structure) of DRESS CODED, and this is another fiercely empowering, entertaining gem from Carrie Firestone. I really enjoyed this story and it left me eager to take manageable but meaningful steps to do more to combat climate change—I think middle schoolers will feel the same way. Love that there are resources for starting a climate club.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I’ve ever read!!!

[Sara D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one-sitting read! When I read middle grade fiction, I generally have another book I’m reading as well. As an adult, I read middle grade fiction because I’m an educator, not because I inherently love the genre. When I read this one, I did not start another novel as this kept me fully engaged for a one-sitting read.

The One Rule Climate Club is timely, but not exhaustingly emotional. It tells the story of a select group of middle school students who are concerned not only about climate change and various actions and inactions that are linked to it, but also social issues occurring in their hometown.

A superbly written book that gets into the hearts and minds of preteens intent on being the change. I will be purchasing this for my classroom and recommending to librarians and colleagues. I have not read the previous book with the same characters, but have already ordered it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Group Young Readers, and the author for a review copy of this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate the stories that Carrie Firestone tells! Her books teach middle schoolers that they can take action about the issues that matter to them! Mary Kate feels like a real middle schooler and I found myself drawn to so many of the characters because they all were extremely well developed!

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dress Coded and The Climate Club was equally interesting! Students will love the action characters take throughout and not just about climate change! An excellent reminder that one person can make a difference!

[Kaylee Zeglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book but it was not as exciting as Dress Coded. But I really liked the message

[Bailey Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

So stinking good

[Eliza · Rating 1 out of 5]

it felt very juvenile not in the sense that they are kids but in the writing style. I know that it's supposed to be from the perspective of a twelve year old but it felt more like the author was trying to write like a kid but didn't know how to. There are a lot of cringy instances too. The nickname Sweet Pea. I can't. Also the letter to her niece are so bad. I know the author was trying to be poetic but I had to just set the book down and take a breather after reading some of the letters.
Also everyone acts like a doormat. Especially Lucy and the main character's parents. The parents' only trait is that they are unknowingly racist and that they are old. What? And I get that Lucy is sick but she doesn't show any part of her personality. I only know that she is sick. Honestly, I could name at least five personality traits for any other character in any other book. I know that Lucy wasn't in very many of the chapter but that still annoyed me. I really like the idea of the book but I just don't think that is was executed well. Mr. Lu or whatever his name was threw his gas mask out the window in. a. climate. class. What?
this book also felt very political for being called a children's book.
please don't make kids feel like murderers for eating chicken. I'm vegetarian but some people can't go vegetarian because of health barriers. These kids are going on about how people are evil for not hiring people to rake leaves or using electric cars and these things cost money that a lot of people don't have.
also
how are the kids going to catch up on the science curriculum? All the other 8th graders are learning physcis and whatever else and it would have been better if it were in high school when they could've chosen their own science classes. I know that it was to empower young children but this book needed to be more well thought through. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that 8th graders can choose their own science classes.
One thing that I did like though was the letter that the main character wrote to herself. I really liked them because they gave a recap of everything that was going on. Because all this stuff happened in only like two months, it was really helpful to get a run down on what was happening.
also
the amount of times it said language was laughing out loud material
like
her parents were always like LaNgUaGe when she said something like this sucks.
HAHAHAH
I just can't with this book
Anyways
this isn't getting a one star because it was so cringy that I kinda wanted to finish it but I think I would have been better off without reading this waste of paper. I have nothing against the topics discussed in this book but I have read much. much. MUCH. better books about racism and climate change then this one.
I hope that people read this review and choose to read a book like The Hate U Give or 2 Degrees which deal with the same topics
Anyways
hope this wasn't a waste of time
if you disagree with me please let me know why! :)

[Cindy Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this companion book to DRESS CODED, Carrie Firestone tackles climate change along with connected issues, including local politics, socio-economic inequities, and racism. The diverse group of characters is led by Mary Kate, an eighth-grader at Fisher Middle School who is part of a new class, a climate science pilot program. Throughout the novel, we're introduced to each character and why they want to be in the class, which also introduces us to different things that affect climate change and possible solutions. As the story progresses, Mary Kate realizes the racism underlying local decisions--like having a trash incinerator in the city of Hartford instead of small-town Honey Hills. When the group is disqualified from a competition because a student doesn't live in town, they plan their own "green" festival. Like DRESS CODED, this novel highlights young people finding their voice and taking action instead of being defeated. The characters are not afraid to call adults out on their BS, white privilege, and racism. Also, they are not afraid to move forward despite being disappointed by some adults, like the mayor or even their own parents. They work to educate others and find adult allies willing to help. Again, Firestone does a great job of presenting a complicated, relevant issue through a middle-school lens.

[Liberty Swedberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as "Dress Coded" the book felt too political for a kid's book, and some of it was forced. However, I liked the message they were trying to send about climate change and inclusivity, I just liked the first book much more.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Returning to the same community in which Dress Coded was set, we follow Mary Kate, who is a year younger than Molly, who took on the school principal and defied the unfair dress code. Molly has been accepted into a special class at school addressing climate change, run by Mr. Lu. Each student had to write an essay to be accepted, and these essays are included in the book. Mary Kate, whose parents are much older, is struggling because her best friend, Lucy, is very ill but doctors cannot determine what is wrong with her. Mary Kate is also dealing with the fact that her older sister has had a baby, whom she calls Sweet Pea. Letters to her neice are also included. The climate class has projects, and Mary Kate gets paired with Shawn Hill, who is from nearby Hartford and open enrolled in the Holly Hill district, which is primarily white. They are investigating composting options for their lunch room, and apply for a town grant. Because Shawn is not a resident, their application is denied, a move which most people think is racist. The town mayor is heard making questionable comments, and the grant goes to a project on the golf course. Mary Kate is determined to get Lucy the help she needs, work for composting in her school, and is also incensed about the social injustices that she sees. Will she be able to make a difference with letters, podcasts, and protests?
Strengths: This is on trend with many different social issues, and it's good to see Mary Kate wanting to make a difference. She also cares deeply about her best friend, and stands by her even when Lucy won't talk to her. I've not seen a middle grade book center on PANS/PANDAS syndrome, which is brought on by tick bites, so this was interesting to see. The issue of older parents was also something unusual and intriguing. I liked that the characters from the previous book appear in this.
Weaknesses: As in Dress Coded, the evil adults were almost cartoonish in their evil, which diluted the effect of the injustices. It also seemed unlikely that librarian Mr. Beam would have allowed Mary Kate to hang out in the library. How did he have so much time to spend on his phone on Facebook, and why on earth would he let Mary Kate know information about the other teachers?
What I really think: This will be a popular choice with teachers and librarians who want to promote social justice issues, and there are a lot packed into this. I wish that there had been a more streamlined plot arc, focusing more on the climate club itself.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. The preachiness. The super political stance. The overly wokeness. The overrighteousness. This was infuriating. Every page another middle schooler jumped up and yelled about how eating meat is bad. Not wearing hemp or using electric cars is evil. All adults who are white are either racist or ignorant. All minority adults are paragons of light and goodness.
The euphemisms, like when someone gets sent to a psychiatric hospital (for like 2 pages, btw), they call it a "mental health" hospital. From experience with many friends and loves ones, I have never in my life heard of a psychiatric hospital being referred to in this manner. A mental health center, that someone plans to go to for a few months or whatever, maybe. But not a hospital that you go to in emergency crisis mode. Anyway, moving on.

Killing bugs is bad! Buying new clothing means you're a monster! Everything you do means you're a racist!
Ugh.

One topic that I did had a major issue with was the vegan thing, and the way it was handled. I'm sorry, but there was a character blasting people about how evil they were for eating chicken nuggets or something. Not everyone can be vegan, or has to be. There are reasons to do so, and reasons not to, such as health barriers for some individuals, or the hefty price tag that usually is attached to foods marketed for this purpose. Not everyone can buy hemp clothing, or own an electric car. And this book is for kids—not all of whom have the option of parents willing to go vegan and support this lifestyle. Please don't make kids feel like murderers for eating meat.

Look, the book brought up lots of important issues. Climate change, pollution and waste, racism, sexism, inequality, unequal opportunity, systemic exclusion...also medical gaslighting and the lack of awareness of tick related auto immune diseases. But the problem was that they weren't just part of it. It was essentially an informational pamphlet. It was annoyingly preachy. It was overkill.

I'm seeing this a lot with MG and YA novels that have been published in the last 2-5 years. And I don't like it. There's a trend of marketing the books towards parents and librarians first, kids second. Teachers and librarians will be super happy. As for the kids...I don't know.

These issues should be raised, and awareness spread, by all means! And yes, books are an amazing tool to spread this info. But there's a difference between opening discussion, and choking hapless readers to death with self-righteousness.

[Gailanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Rule of Climate Club blew me away! Just like Dress Coded (which is always checked out in my library), I couldn't stop reading once I started. The characters are thoughtful and often a little quirky, the situations are believable and relatable, and the format is easy to read for all students, but will definitely appeal to those who struggle with traditional prose paragraphs. This story will be of interest to readers on many levels. As so many of my students have read Firestone's Dress Coded (and can't wait to discuss how they can relate to it afterwards), those students will be an obvious choice to recommend this book to since they share many of the same characters. For those who haven't read it, though, this story can stand on its own without any problem, and enough back story is told to have those readers coming back for the first one. For students interested in science and climate change, it will also be an easy recommendation, especially since not a lot of fiction focuses on climate change for this age group. As I was reading it, however, I thought of so many of my other students who might be able to relate to the other subjects Firestone addresses, such as chronic illness, missing a friend, making new friends, having parents who are older than your friends' parents, being the youngest child, being the youngest child with siblings that no longer live at home, the frustration of not being heard by adults, etc. The First Rule of Climate Club handles all of these issues, but in a way that doesn't feel overwhelming or preachy. Firestone balances these subjects and characters expertly, and I predict this book is going to be on some state award nomination lists next year! Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this fabulous eGalley!

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! "The first rule of climate club" seems to change throughout the story. By the end the class/club of studens has decided what the first rule really is and has gone from a rag-tag group of kids not sure what they need to do or how to work together to do it, to a group of young leaders well on their way to making changes. These changes are not only in the cliamate, the environmental climate, but also the climate of stopping racism and really seeing how we treat others whether we know what we are doing or if we are just "following" an unjust law that creates divides between social and ethnic groups of people. During all of this Mary Kate's best friend is going through a mystery illness and she, MK, is struggling with class, dealing with her own "accidental" racism, other adults' blatant or "accidental racism, and trying to help her best friend's family find out how to help her get back on her feet.
Her new friend, Shawn, points out that he has been going to her school since kindergarten and has never been invited to birthday parties or other activities outside school. Mary Kate realizes she never realized how difficult that might be for one of her classmates.
I really enjoyed this book and intend to make it part of my curriculum this year. I hope the students see how they can make a difference and there are many differences to be made.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bailey Bae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second Carrie Firestone book I've read- and it's for sure not the last.

"The first rule of climate club" is a follow-up to Firestone's "Dress-coded", another wonderful book, except this one is told from a different girls perspective and cause.

This is a book that deals with many different problems.
1. The main character's best friend is suffering from an unknown disease, and is suddenly too tired to do anything.

2. Hartford kid's, or ANY person of color, has to deal with racism in Honey Hills, and feel like they are constantly left out.

3. A climate crisis

When Honey hill's Junior High decides to try out a "climate class" for the first time, they never expected it to go so well. There were around 12 kids in the classroom, all wanting to make a change. They began by choosing what they wanted to focus on throughout the year, than they had to brainstorm what to do next.

They had to figure out how to make people listen to them, but many felt like no one would because they were "too young" and couldn't make adults understand how big these things really were. THis story goes much further into then just climate club.

Highly recommend!

[Donna Metler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about climate change and social justice, which, through the experiences of Mary Kate and her 8th grade classmates, helps to give kids concrete ideas for things they can do, it definitely attacks the idea of intersectionality head on, and the difference between not racist and antiracist. This would be an excellent book for class discussion and should absolutely be included in libraries.

One thing I would LOVE to see the author do is to write a sequel from Lucy (and possibly Andrew's) experience, both because PANS/PANDAS and chronic illness from an infection isn't something well covered in efen adult fiction (and due to long COVID, is increasingly relevant), but also because anxiety is ALSO something a lot of climate and justice minded kids face. Being sidelined due to illness and feeling unable to do anything, and Andrew's experience of existential anxiety and his parents keeping him from taking the class out of concern, but that increasing the feeling of being unable to control the situation are topics that deserve expansion.

[Gail Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The kids have various interests, meaning environmentalism is covered in a more whole life type of way then in the "let's save the little wild rodent from the big bad oil company" kind of books. Food waste, composting, fast fashion, electric vehicles are among the topics pulled into the story. One of the things I particularly like about this book is that many of the things covered, such as composting and fast fashion, middle grade and above students could make part of their lives now.

Another topic Firestone covers--the connection between climate/environmentalism and race. Embarrassed to say that I was not aware of that. And my trash was going to the Hartford incinerator she writes about. (Interesting sidenote--before the incinerator came to Hartford, there was an enormous landfill there, known as Mt. Trashmore. It was right along a major highway north of the city. Landfills are not supposed to smell, but this one most definitely did.)"

Excerpt from Original Content.

[Diana Renn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right from page one! Told in different characters' voices and different media, including text messages, flyers, lists, and transcripts of podcast interviews, this fast-paced yet deeply insightful novel doesn't shy away from the climate realities we face. When eighth-grader Mary Kate Murphy starts a climate activism podcast, and a climate club at school decides to enter a community contest during an intense local election season, they learn how to rally others to create lasting change. I'm in awe of the range of issues this book covers, from bears in Connecticut to the amount of trash produced in school cafeterias, to the problems with the fashion industry, to environmental and social justice. Yet the novel offers so much hope, depicting authentically earnest characters and their inspiring, actionable plans. Firestone also leaves plenty of room for excellent middle school fare -- changing friendship dynamics, crushes, and delightfully dorky teachers. One of my favorite eco-themed novels; highly recommend!

[Val Mid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Climate science, social issues, etc have fascinated me daily. I am a big fan of scientific trends which some have economical impact. I propose a challenge: Have this book, etc published more in these countries; Russia, China, and even India whose track records on climate change and social issues are very lower than Europe or even United States itself. If climate change or social issues are truly a gigantic issue on global scale and that cultures should be respected, I hope that those in the foreign countries also are ready to lend an ear of what this novel, it’s reviews, and author have to say. Otherwise; the kindest thing these foreign countries will do is to disapprove immensely and be disappointed that you are lecturing them that their culture (surprisingly and disturbingly that these foreign countries have and rely on loads of social inequality, systemic racism, and ignore climate change) is very immoral.

[Stacy Mozer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, the kids of Fisher Middle School learned how to take action fighting the school's dress code. Their action made such a difference that this year the school and district is under new leadership, one that encourages action and has created a pilot climate class to encourage kids to think big. Mary Kate was supposed to start this class with her best friend Lucy, but Lucy has not been feeling well and no one knows why. Not having her best friend in school pushes Mary Kate to meet new kids who help to open her eyes to serious problems in her town. When the kids try to help solve these problems, they find that while they have the encouragement of the school administration, the mayor is their biggest enemy and that when it comes to climate change, systemic racism can also factor into the conversation. This sequel to Dress Coded will make you want to go out and do a better job taking care of the world and opens your eyes in so many ways. I hope it finds its way to policy makers.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand-alone followup to Firestone’s Dress Coded with a few of the same characters. Mary Kate and her friend Lucy have applied and been accepted into a new science class on climate change at their middle school. Each student pursues a passion project to address climate change, from composting to fast fashion to vegetarianism. When they apply for a grant to bring composting to their cafeteria, they run into bureaucracy and systemic racism when they are disqualified because one of their classmates lives in the nearby city. Meanwhile, Lucy is battling an illness that is keeping her home from school and Mary Kate is determined to get her the help she needs. Students again turn to podcasting to get the word out and readers will feel a little less overwhelmed about climate change when learning about all the positive actions the climate change class students pursue that can actually make a difference.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive book that covers a wide range of subjects, such as racism, the government, puberty, disease, and friendships. Though I believe these features have the potential to age the novel fast, references to contemporary causes like Black Lives Matter make the book feel topical. The grownups in this story are likewise glaringly out of touch, and the mayor is essentially a cartoon antagonist. The book teaches readers how to take little actions, like composting food leftovers or avoiding quick fashion, to have a positive impact on the environment, which is something I truly admire about it.

This book can encourage someone to do further research on climate change and other concerns affecting our globe. It is a book that everyone, including middle-grade readers, should read. It was a quick read, and I believe the target readership would find it enjoyable.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected a light jokey We Can Do It sort of book and this is deeper and more affecting. Mary Kate is a wonderful quirky character and her friendship with Lucy who has a terrible undiagnosed disease is beautiful. They are both supposed to be enrolled in a new grant funded science class that tackles climate change, but Lucy is too sick to go. Mary Kate learns about city politics, systemic racism, and leadership as she and her diverse classmates try to make a difference in their town. Mary Kate is focussed on food waste but through friendships with her fellow classmates learns about composting, sustainable fashion, meat free diets and more! Yet, the focus is on Mary Kate's family and friends and her sorrow over her best friend's condition. A terrific book!

[Lynn Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Rule of Climate Club should be: PLEASE READ The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone. Although hailed as a follow-up to Dress-Coded, this book can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel. I highly recommend The First Rule for teachers, librarians, parents, and students who want/need to be inspired to learn more and make a difference. Although the focus is on climate change, the story also raises important questions about systemic racism and the connections between and among so many problems facing our world. Podcast episodes and letters interspersed throughout the novel, and short chapters will appeal to many middle-grade readers, as will the underlying message that kids have the power to change the world. And the world needs them to do just that!

[Christie]

Firestone knows how to get readers invested in characters and their stories! The First Rule of Climate Club will hook you from the start. I especially enjoyed the mix in of the essays the different students wrote to get into the special climate class (they help us get to know them and their passions/ motives better). The podcast episodes and the letters to baby Penelope were a nice touch as well. Filled with honesty about the struggles society is facing along with hope that we can actually make the changes necessary with education, research, passion and the will to fight against both injustices and problems with “the way things have always been”.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ambitious book that touches on many topics including climate change, racism, government, puberty, illness, and friendships. Although references to current movements like Black Lives Matter make this book feel relevant, I also think these inclusions have the potential to date the book quickly. The adults in the story are also woefully out of touch and the mayor is practically a cartoon villain. One thing I really like about the book is that readers can learn how to make positive impacts to the environment by taking small steps like not buying fast fashion or composting food scraps. This was a fast read and I do think the intended audience will enjoy.