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Two Degrees
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.
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.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2022
657 people are currently reading
6887 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
34 books4,622 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 989 reviews
January 29, 2023
An exceptionally good intermediate /junior high school novel about the impact of global warming. Three kids from different locations are trying to survive their own natural disasters. Each story is interesting and there are some good action sequences. It is very heavy handed on its environmental messages but this is entirely appropriate for a novel tackling climate change. It's not a superbly written novel but the story and characters make for a good read. I thoroughly recommend having this in school libraries as I think it will go down well with its target audience.
October 9, 2022
Ugh. Such an important topic and a nice bit of adventure but I hated how it slams you with the message immediately and relentlessly. I know kids don’t always get subtle messaging but this was over the top and I think might be off putting to the people who need to hear it the most.
August 3, 2023
I’ll preface this by saying I have read and enjoyed many Alan Gratz books. But this is the last one I will read.
I know a book about climate change is going to be full of social issues. My 13 year old loved this book, especially the suspense and action. But it subtlety teaches kids that everything they are taught in school is correct, that their parents are idiots, and they should obviously not listen to their parents who know nothing. (This rings especially true in Akira’s story- where her father is portrayed as totally clueless). Our world is trying to break up the family unit, and are now doing so by pitting children against their parents.
“She had never challenged her dad on climate change. Because she hated to argue. She like peace and calm and quiet. But staying quiet was the same as agreeing with him. And while she said and did nothing her world was burning.”
Subtle hints that one of the characters is gay, that the government should be doing more to take from the rich and give to the poor, and multiple jabs at white males and stereotypes for the white race in general.
“That’s pretty good thinking for a white boy” was what one boy said to the other in the Manitoba story. (Part 6: Churchill, Manitoba, Chillin’ I’m Churchhill)
You name it- Alan Gratz tried to include it in the book.
I know a book about climate change is going to be full of social issues. My 13 year old loved this book, especially the suspense and action. But it subtlety teaches kids that everything they are taught in school is correct, that their parents are idiots, and they should obviously not listen to their parents who know nothing. (This rings especially true in Akira’s story- where her father is portrayed as totally clueless). Our world is trying to break up the family unit, and are now doing so by pitting children against their parents.
“She had never challenged her dad on climate change. Because she hated to argue. She like peace and calm and quiet. But staying quiet was the same as agreeing with him. And while she said and did nothing her world was burning.”
Subtle hints that one of the characters is gay, that the government should be doing more to take from the rich and give to the poor, and multiple jabs at white males and stereotypes for the white race in general.
“That’s pretty good thinking for a white boy” was what one boy said to the other in the Manitoba story. (Part 6: Churchill, Manitoba, Chillin’ I’m Churchhill)
You name it- Alan Gratz tried to include it in the book.
i-will-never-read-this-shit
May 8, 2023Dnf
Its so bad, I wanna give it a 0. But that's not possible. So I give it a one.
Its so bad, I wanna give it a 0. But that's not possible. So I give it a one.
January 11, 2023
Wow, this was such a powerful read. While a fictional book, there is so much truth at the core of this, that it’s scary-because the truth of what we’re doing to our planet is scary. Fire. Ice. Flood. 3 climate disasters. 4 kids fighting for their lives. Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks―& grows scarily fast. How can she make it to safety when there are flames everywhere? Owen & his best friend, George, like spotting polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when 1 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, & Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them―& could alter their destinies forever. I really enjoyed the alternating POV, from different locations, that end up connecting in the end from their own struggles from the effects of climate change. It did sometimes read like a non-fiction book pushing the points home, but I overall enjoyed it, & stayed on the edge of my seat with adventure, danger, & suspense. I enjoyed all the characters we read from, the boys were a riot though when called for. lol Loved their whole story, & also LOVED how it was pointed out the polar bears being violent with humans when it happens is NOT their fault but our own. Even the boys who had been in danger from the bears made sure none were harmed. Highly recommend! Great cover by Hit & Run Creative Studio as well.💜
November 7, 2022
Alan Gratz is absolutely one of my favorite middle grade authors. Never shy about themes that will cause discussion and always giving multiple opinions of that theme in each book, teaching the readers that you don't have to agree and how to approach people with different opinions. Two Degrees is about three kids and their modern realizations about what climate change is doing in their communities: polar bears seeking food and habitat, hurricanes strengthened by warmer oceans, and mega forest fires that are out of control. I love the characters and how the author interweaves storylines leaving readers with the reaffirming knowledge that all humans (and their concerns) are connected.
October 20, 2022
This was the second book I've read by this author and I am convinced that I need to read all of his books. I loved this novel and what it could represent, AND that it is aimed for the younger generations (anyone of any generation SHOULD read this).
Just like in the last book I read by Gratz, this one tells three separate stories that eventually come together into a great overarching narrative. What I love about this is that it makes me want to connect the dots before the epilogue and try to guess how these characters might know each other.
I think each story carries its own important message in regards to the climate change currently happening, how people are reacting (or not reacting) to our changing world, and the aftermath of the consequences of our actions. Gratz doesn't hold back when it comes to giving us the jarring reality of the situations these characters face, including the casualties that occur during these events.
I also found it so terrifying how the hurricane story mirrors what just recently happened in Florida. That timing was just...wow.
I highly recommend this book and I think it should be taught in schools. Our world is changing and I'm glad to have another book that explores the topic.
Happy reading!
Just like in the last book I read by Gratz, this one tells three separate stories that eventually come together into a great overarching narrative. What I love about this is that it makes me want to connect the dots before the epilogue and try to guess how these characters might know each other.
I think each story carries its own important message in regards to the climate change currently happening, how people are reacting (or not reacting) to our changing world, and the aftermath of the consequences of our actions. Gratz doesn't hold back when it comes to giving us the jarring reality of the situations these characters face, including the casualties that occur during these events.
I also found it so terrifying how the hurricane story mirrors what just recently happened in Florida. That timing was just...wow.
I highly recommend this book and I think it should be taught in schools. Our world is changing and I'm glad to have another book that explores the topic.
Happy reading!
October 4, 2022
Had to finish this book before I see the author come to our middle schools tomorrow!
One of my fav YA authors.
One of my fav YA authors.
October 6, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Climate change doesn't affect just one area of the world, and Gratz points this out by focusing on how weather patterns cause problems for three different children in very different areas of the world. Akira lives in the Sierra Nevada of California with her Swedish father and mother of Japanese descent, and gets caught in a wild fire while out riding horses with her father. He doesn't believe in global warming, and thinks that weather is just cyclical. In Miami, Florida, we meet Natalie, who lives with her mother and whose father lives in Cuba. A hurricane brings high winds and punishing rains that flood her house and send her out into the storm with her neighbor's dog, Churro. Finally, in Churchill, Manitoba, George and Owen head out on a snowmobile to spend the weekend at a family cabin only to run into problems with polar bears that are more prevalent now that the area has become warmer. Should people be living in the area at all? Like Gratz's Refugee, this brings together the different characters at the end of the book, and is similar in tone in that it doesn't sugarcoat the horrors of the various weather events the children face. Akira is separated from her father but teams up with another young girl with a dislocated shoulder. The two are one step ahead of the fire, find Akira's horse in the swimming pool of an acquaintance's house, and see several dead bodies in burnt out cars. Natalie is also separated from her mother, has to escape another house that implodes, and while she meets several helpful people along the way, also sees dead bodies and the tremendous devastation of the storm. George is attacked by a polar bear, and the two have to deal with injuries and being lost as they try to get back home while avoiding more bears. The climate conference at the end shows how many children all over the world are affected by climate change, and is a rallying call for young readers to do what they can to stop global warming.
Strengths: I'm a big fan of climate stories, since I've been walking to work and laregely vegetarian for 30 years and don't even have air conditioning. In order to motivate people to make as many small changes in their lives as possible, books that show the results of NOT making these changes are always helpful. My younger daughter became a vegetarian when her class read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle in high school, so books can have a great impact! This was an action-packed tale with lots of details about what happens in the three different types of extreme events. Gratz does excellent research, has sympathetic characters, and writes stories that are hard to put down.
Weaknesses: It was hard to go back and forth between the different stories; I almost wish this were a three book series similar to Gordon Korman's Dive and Island; there could even be a fourth book about the climate conference! I have a lot of reluctant readers who are more prone to pick up shorter books, and this would be somewhat similar to the very popular Gary Paulsen World of Adventure books if formatted this way. Strong readers who love this author won't care.
What I really think: I will definitely buy a copy, since Gratz's work is very popular in my library, and I was glad to see that the same style of cover was used. This would make a great read for science classes looking for read alouds with STEM ties.
Climate change doesn't affect just one area of the world, and Gratz points this out by focusing on how weather patterns cause problems for three different children in very different areas of the world. Akira lives in the Sierra Nevada of California with her Swedish father and mother of Japanese descent, and gets caught in a wild fire while out riding horses with her father. He doesn't believe in global warming, and thinks that weather is just cyclical. In Miami, Florida, we meet Natalie, who lives with her mother and whose father lives in Cuba. A hurricane brings high winds and punishing rains that flood her house and send her out into the storm with her neighbor's dog, Churro. Finally, in Churchill, Manitoba, George and Owen head out on a snowmobile to spend the weekend at a family cabin only to run into problems with polar bears that are more prevalent now that the area has become warmer. Should people be living in the area at all? Like Gratz's Refugee, this brings together the different characters at the end of the book, and is similar in tone in that it doesn't sugarcoat the horrors of the various weather events the children face. Akira is separated from her father but teams up with another young girl with a dislocated shoulder. The two are one step ahead of the fire, find Akira's horse in the swimming pool of an acquaintance's house, and see several dead bodies in burnt out cars. Natalie is also separated from her mother, has to escape another house that implodes, and while she meets several helpful people along the way, also sees dead bodies and the tremendous devastation of the storm. George is attacked by a polar bear, and the two have to deal with injuries and being lost as they try to get back home while avoiding more bears. The climate conference at the end shows how many children all over the world are affected by climate change, and is a rallying call for young readers to do what they can to stop global warming.
Strengths: I'm a big fan of climate stories, since I've been walking to work and laregely vegetarian for 30 years and don't even have air conditioning. In order to motivate people to make as many small changes in their lives as possible, books that show the results of NOT making these changes are always helpful. My younger daughter became a vegetarian when her class read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle in high school, so books can have a great impact! This was an action-packed tale with lots of details about what happens in the three different types of extreme events. Gratz does excellent research, has sympathetic characters, and writes stories that are hard to put down.
Weaknesses: It was hard to go back and forth between the different stories; I almost wish this were a three book series similar to Gordon Korman's Dive and Island; there could even be a fourth book about the climate conference! I have a lot of reluctant readers who are more prone to pick up shorter books, and this would be somewhat similar to the very popular Gary Paulsen World of Adventure books if formatted this way. Strong readers who love this author won't care.
What I really think: I will definitely buy a copy, since Gratz's work is very popular in my library, and I was glad to see that the same style of cover was used. This would make a great read for science classes looking for read alouds with STEM ties.
May 3, 2023
I gave this one four stars for the thrilling, adventures in nature plot lines!
That being said, I do think this book would be better suited for more mature readers. There are some graphic details, particularly in the story about the wildfire. And of course, the premise of the entire novel is how four young people end up in peril, due to the results of worldwide climate change. Younger readers might find it too upsetting, even with adult guidance.
That being said, I do think this book would be better suited for more mature readers. There are some graphic details, particularly in the story about the wildfire. And of course, the premise of the entire novel is how four young people end up in peril, due to the results of worldwide climate change. Younger readers might find it too upsetting, even with adult guidance.
July 16, 2025
Brilliant book 📖 👏 :)
December 6, 2023
I had to stop listening to this book. It was terrible. The message is pounded continuously over your head like you don't already know it. It is so poorly written and nonsensical.
1) Right of the bat- "Yeah, but it seems like there aren't any little fires anymore, Akira thought. Not since the temperature of the earth had risen nearly two degrees. . ." This is not something anyone would think. This is within the first few minutes of the book and as soon as I heard it, I busted up laughing at the ridiculous phrasing and couldn't stop even though I was walking though a park with people all around.
2) "We were a little worried to move to California, what with all the wildfires you've been having. . . You know, because of climate change." No one would say this. Someone may be worried to move to California because of wildfires, but no way would they add because of climate change. The fires would happen even without climate change. You would also be worried to move here because of earthquakes and rising crime because of prosecutors who won't prosecute because it will make the criminals feel bad.
And maybe it was explained better somewhere in the story after I stopped listening, but the reason they moved to California was because Sue was a champion swimmer and needed better access to a pool. Umm, I'm pretty sure you could have found a pool somewhere in your home state or anywhere else besides California considering California scares you so bad. Why didn't you stop in Nevada? Or Colorado? Or Wyoming? Or Illinois? Or Michigan? Or New York? How about Massachusetts? I'm not even sure where they were supposed to be from, but the narrator sounded Canadian, so maybe they should have gone to British Colombia. Or Alberta. Or Manitoba. Or Newfoundland. Or Prince Edward Island. So many other places to go besides California. For a pool.
3) Owen and Grant are attacked by the polar bear. It is seriously vicious. Owen feels the teeth going down to his bone and Grant's scalp was torn plus he was knocked out amongst other injuries. Yet once they scare off the polar bear, they WALK BACK TO TOWN! This is where I gave up. You have got to be absolutely shitting me. Their injuries as described (which are way more numerous than what I have here) would cause both of them to go into shock and die, but yet they have the strength to walk miles over the snow.
It made no sense why they even walked away from the snowmobile. They had to pee so they walked over to some rocks. Why didn't they just each stand on either side of the snowmobile and do their business? They would still have some privacy but still have access to the gun if they needed it. Which they did.
4) The hurricane story seemed okay, but it was a bit too much of one thing after another.
Seriously, trust the one-star reviews. This book is too heavy handed and very poorly written.
1) Right of the bat- "Yeah, but it seems like there aren't any little fires anymore, Akira thought. Not since the temperature of the earth had risen nearly two degrees. . ." This is not something anyone would think. This is within the first few minutes of the book and as soon as I heard it, I busted up laughing at the ridiculous phrasing and couldn't stop even though I was walking though a park with people all around.
2) "We were a little worried to move to California, what with all the wildfires you've been having. . . You know, because of climate change." No one would say this. Someone may be worried to move to California because of wildfires, but no way would they add because of climate change. The fires would happen even without climate change. You would also be worried to move here because of earthquakes and rising crime because of prosecutors who won't prosecute because it will make the criminals feel bad.
And maybe it was explained better somewhere in the story after I stopped listening, but the reason they moved to California was because Sue was a champion swimmer and needed better access to a pool. Umm, I'm pretty sure you could have found a pool somewhere in your home state or anywhere else besides California considering California scares you so bad. Why didn't you stop in Nevada? Or Colorado? Or Wyoming? Or Illinois? Or Michigan? Or New York? How about Massachusetts? I'm not even sure where they were supposed to be from, but the narrator sounded Canadian, so maybe they should have gone to British Colombia. Or Alberta. Or Manitoba. Or Newfoundland. Or Prince Edward Island. So many other places to go besides California. For a pool.
3) Owen and Grant are attacked by the polar bear. It is seriously vicious. Owen feels the teeth going down to his bone and Grant's scalp was torn plus he was knocked out amongst other injuries. Yet once they scare off the polar bear, they WALK BACK TO TOWN! This is where I gave up. You have got to be absolutely shitting me. Their injuries as described (which are way more numerous than what I have here) would cause both of them to go into shock and die, but yet they have the strength to walk miles over the snow.
It made no sense why they even walked away from the snowmobile. They had to pee so they walked over to some rocks. Why didn't they just each stand on either side of the snowmobile and do their business? They would still have some privacy but still have access to the gun if they needed it. Which they did.
4) The hurricane story seemed okay, but it was a bit too much of one thing after another.
Seriously, trust the one-star reviews. This book is too heavy handed and very poorly written.
November 13, 2022
5 stars. Alan Gratz is the King of Cliffhangars! Fast paced action packed sorry you can’t put down. California wildfire, cold weather polar bears in Manitoba, hurricane in Miami
When you think nothing else bad could happen… it does! Love how the stories tie together at the end and how the characters are connected. Gratz does such a good job that I didn’t even see the connections coming. Author notes detail actual events the book is based on.
Love these quotes: “but we don’t have to do everything, Nat. We just gotta do some thing.” location 2767
“Some people are always going to take without giving, she said. I’m always going to give without taking.” location 3512
When you think nothing else bad could happen… it does! Love how the stories tie together at the end and how the characters are connected. Gratz does such a good job that I didn’t even see the connections coming. Author notes detail actual events the book is based on.
Love these quotes: “but we don’t have to do everything, Nat. We just gotta do some thing.” location 2767
“Some people are always going to take without giving, she said. I’m always going to give without taking.” location 3512
October 31, 2022
Two Degrees is an exciting middle grade novel regarding climate change. It follows three separate story lines - a wildfire in California, a Polar Bear attack in Canada, and a hurricane in Florida to illustrate the immense damage being done to the planet through global warming. Each individual story is very compelling, as the teens figure out how to survive in extremely dangerous situations. This would be a great book for any middle reader!
February 2, 2023
Read this with my 8th grade daughter (we read a book together each month for fun)...Both of us really enjoyed it!
April 27, 2023
Four middle schoolers experience the results of climate change - Akira experiences a wildfire, Owen and George get stalked and attacked by a polar bear, and Natalie survives a massive hurricane in southern Florida.
While this was good, at times it was a bit unbelievable what the kids went through and survived. I know people can survive a lot but, this seemed to push credulity at times. Unlike usual, Gratz was a bit heavy handed with driving home to message that climate change is real but that if we act soon, we can mitigate the worst impacts.
While this was good, at times it was a bit unbelievable what the kids went through and survived. I know people can survive a lot but, this seemed to push credulity at times. Unlike usual, Gratz was a bit heavy handed with driving home to message that climate change is real but that if we act soon, we can mitigate the worst impacts.
October 10, 2022
I’m a huge fan of Alan Gratz books, I recommend them daily to students. I was just disappointed by this one. Preachy about climate chat, yes but I was ready for that. The obsession with every skin tone in the story took me out of the story. The resolutions offered seemed to be 99% about getting famous for “raising awareness”. I’m still a Gratz fan but this one is a miss.
November 19, 2022
Richie’s Picks: TWO DEGREES by Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, October 2022, 384p., ISBN: 978-1-338-73567-3
“No brakes, the engineer cries
The captain's gonna leave us when the temperatures rise
The needle's going up, the engine's gonna blow
And we are gonna be left down down below”
– Paul McCartney’s 2018 environmental song “Despite Repeated Warnings,” about Donald Trump and other climate change deniers
“‘We were a little worried to move to California, what with all the wildfires you’ve been having,’ Akira heard Sue’s dad say, and alarm bells went off in her head. She took a step toward the two dads, trying to think of something she could say to change the subject but it was too late.
‘You know, because of climate change,’ Daniel added. Akira froze. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no, she thought. He said the words.
Akira’s dad laughed. ‘There’s no such thing as “climate change,”’ he told Sue’s dad. ‘I mean, the earth goes through hot and cold cycles, but humans don’t have anything to do with that.
Daniel looked taken aback. ‘You’re kidding, right? You don’t think the huge amounts of greenhouse gases we’re releasing into the air by burning fossil fuels has anything to do with the fact that the earth keeps getting hotter?’
Akira and Sue shared a worried glance, anticipating the coming storm. Even Dodger’s ears flicked toward the two men.
‘The earth is a huge ecosystem,’ Akira’s dad said, like he was explaining it to a dummy. ‘We’re just one tiny part of it.’
‘Dad–’ Akira started, but her father ignored her. Dodger danced nervously, sensing her anxiety. Their beautiful, perfect morning was going up in smoke.
‘All those gases trap the heat in our atmosphere,’ Sue’s dad said, ‘which causes droughts and melts the ice caps and raises the sea level. Climate change is real, and we’re causing it. Which means we have a responsibility to do something about it.’
‘Do you hear yourself?’ said Akira’s dad. ‘Look at these trees. How can you stand among these giants and think anything we do could change anything. The idea that we caused climate change, or could stop it if we wanted to, is the height of arrogance.’”
TWO DEGREES features four middle school-age kids whose lives are threatened by climate change-related natural catastrophes.
“‘Fire!’ Sue screamed, making them all jump. ‘There’s a wildfire down the other side of the mountain.’”
TWO DEGREES is the scariest, most gripping book I’ve read in 2022. It’s breathtakingly cinematic, and what befalls the four tween characters is so plausible, so real. Climate-induced natural catastrophes are coming at such a regular clip these days that “catastrophe” is rapidly losing its meaning.
Akira is a California girl who gets caught in a lightning-initiated forest fire in the drought-stricken Sierras.
Owen and George, who live on the coast of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, are mauled by a hungry mama polar bear. The polar bear problems in their village have been increasing rapidly because climate-induced ice melt is preventing starving, post-hibernating bears from being able to go out on the ice and chomp on seals.
Natalie, who lives in the Miami area, is dragged away by raging flood waters resulting from a killer hurricane that hits the city.
The story switches back and forth between these three settings. The drama of these kids fighting to survive, being compelled to make life and death decisions, really grabbed me. It’s a story in which people die, just like they are now dying from similar climate change-induced events in the real world.
Day after day, we see these calamities in the news. Just last month, Hurricane Ian killed over 200 in Florida. It’s becoming more and more of an issue–people having to figure out where and how to live a safe and healthful life on a far less safe and less healthy planet.
I am petrified by the thoughts of my own grandkids being in the position of these characters.
There are also some memorable animal characters in the story: Dodger, Akira’s beloved quarter horse; Churro, the nasty little dog that accidentally becomes Natalie’s constant companion; and the polar bear mom who nearly tears off the boys’ heads.
I love how the story concludes with young victims of climate change, from all over the world, coming together in Washington, D.C. to raise their voices and demand action. Hopefully, before we reach the feared tipping point of two degrees of global warming, the younger generations will organize to save the planet. Because, as the t-shirt says, “There’s No Planet B.”
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“No brakes, the engineer cries
The captain's gonna leave us when the temperatures rise
The needle's going up, the engine's gonna blow
And we are gonna be left down down below”
– Paul McCartney’s 2018 environmental song “Despite Repeated Warnings,” about Donald Trump and other climate change deniers
“‘We were a little worried to move to California, what with all the wildfires you’ve been having,’ Akira heard Sue’s dad say, and alarm bells went off in her head. She took a step toward the two dads, trying to think of something she could say to change the subject but it was too late.
‘You know, because of climate change,’ Daniel added. Akira froze. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no, she thought. He said the words.
Akira’s dad laughed. ‘There’s no such thing as “climate change,”’ he told Sue’s dad. ‘I mean, the earth goes through hot and cold cycles, but humans don’t have anything to do with that.
Daniel looked taken aback. ‘You’re kidding, right? You don’t think the huge amounts of greenhouse gases we’re releasing into the air by burning fossil fuels has anything to do with the fact that the earth keeps getting hotter?’
Akira and Sue shared a worried glance, anticipating the coming storm. Even Dodger’s ears flicked toward the two men.
‘The earth is a huge ecosystem,’ Akira’s dad said, like he was explaining it to a dummy. ‘We’re just one tiny part of it.’
‘Dad–’ Akira started, but her father ignored her. Dodger danced nervously, sensing her anxiety. Their beautiful, perfect morning was going up in smoke.
‘All those gases trap the heat in our atmosphere,’ Sue’s dad said, ‘which causes droughts and melts the ice caps and raises the sea level. Climate change is real, and we’re causing it. Which means we have a responsibility to do something about it.’
‘Do you hear yourself?’ said Akira’s dad. ‘Look at these trees. How can you stand among these giants and think anything we do could change anything. The idea that we caused climate change, or could stop it if we wanted to, is the height of arrogance.’”
TWO DEGREES features four middle school-age kids whose lives are threatened by climate change-related natural catastrophes.
“‘Fire!’ Sue screamed, making them all jump. ‘There’s a wildfire down the other side of the mountain.’”
TWO DEGREES is the scariest, most gripping book I’ve read in 2022. It’s breathtakingly cinematic, and what befalls the four tween characters is so plausible, so real. Climate-induced natural catastrophes are coming at such a regular clip these days that “catastrophe” is rapidly losing its meaning.
Akira is a California girl who gets caught in a lightning-initiated forest fire in the drought-stricken Sierras.
Owen and George, who live on the coast of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, are mauled by a hungry mama polar bear. The polar bear problems in their village have been increasing rapidly because climate-induced ice melt is preventing starving, post-hibernating bears from being able to go out on the ice and chomp on seals.
Natalie, who lives in the Miami area, is dragged away by raging flood waters resulting from a killer hurricane that hits the city.
The story switches back and forth between these three settings. The drama of these kids fighting to survive, being compelled to make life and death decisions, really grabbed me. It’s a story in which people die, just like they are now dying from similar climate change-induced events in the real world.
Day after day, we see these calamities in the news. Just last month, Hurricane Ian killed over 200 in Florida. It’s becoming more and more of an issue–people having to figure out where and how to live a safe and healthful life on a far less safe and less healthy planet.
I am petrified by the thoughts of my own grandkids being in the position of these characters.
There are also some memorable animal characters in the story: Dodger, Akira’s beloved quarter horse; Churro, the nasty little dog that accidentally becomes Natalie’s constant companion; and the polar bear mom who nearly tears off the boys’ heads.
I love how the story concludes with young victims of climate change, from all over the world, coming together in Washington, D.C. to raise their voices and demand action. Hopefully, before we reach the feared tipping point of two degrees of global warming, the younger generations will organize to save the planet. Because, as the t-shirt says, “There’s No Planet B.”
Richie Partington, MLIS
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October 21, 2023
Alan Gratz, I have a question for you: What did your message do to deserve being beaten with crowbars and wooden clubs to within an inch of its life and shoved down the throats of your readers? Did it insult your wife? Your children? Your parents? Your friends? Sorry, my mistake. You don't have any friends.
The message of this book is woven so overtly, so egregiously into the story's cloth that the elements of story that remain must fight tooth and nail with it for time in the spotlight. Spoiler alert, they're both losing.
If you handed this book to first grade me for book circles, you may have heard me mention how it's 'weird that the Alan Gratz man talks so much when he's not even a character in the story.'
I agree with the book's message, for the most part, but it is like chicken pox on the skin of the book, instead of just normal color variation.
All of this has led me to believe that Alan Gratz doesn't actually know how to write. Myself at age eight had more writing prowess than this (alleged) adult whose brain has (allegedly) developed beyond the age of twelve.
I'd bet you that when Alan Gratz's daughter was in the third grade and she asked him to look over her creative writing assignment, he was sure that his daughter was a literary genius, what with how well she'd integrated the theme of her story ('the big bad wolf is bad') into its loom.
I am here to tell you Alan that no, your child is not a genius, that is just normal human brain development that somehow managed to pass you up.
The message of this book is woven so overtly, so egregiously into the story's cloth that the elements of story that remain must fight tooth and nail with it for time in the spotlight. Spoiler alert, they're both losing.
If you handed this book to first grade me for book circles, you may have heard me mention how it's 'weird that the Alan Gratz man talks so much when he's not even a character in the story.'
I agree with the book's message, for the most part, but it is like chicken pox on the skin of the book, instead of just normal color variation.
All of this has led me to believe that Alan Gratz doesn't actually know how to write. Myself at age eight had more writing prowess than this (alleged) adult whose brain has (allegedly) developed beyond the age of twelve.
I'd bet you that when Alan Gratz's daughter was in the third grade and she asked him to look over her creative writing assignment, he was sure that his daughter was a literary genius, what with how well she'd integrated the theme of her story ('the big bad wolf is bad') into its loom.
I am here to tell you Alan that no, your child is not a genius, that is just normal human brain development that somehow managed to pass you up.
July 5, 2024
Looking for a m̶i̶l̶d̶l̶y̶ extremely terrifying novel about climate change?
Then look no farther then 2 degrees, coz alan gratz nailed it!
My thoughts:
Lots of Gore.
Some parts were a little bit like: " omg a polar bear!!! And another one! And one more 😱"
Im sorry, but there is no way you ran in to three polar bears within 12 hours.
This book accomplished what it was meant to do. I feel very compelled to take a stand against climate change now.
Even if its not my favorite book ever, i still think everyone should read 2 degrees.
Then look no farther then 2 degrees, coz alan gratz nailed it!
My thoughts:
Lots of Gore.
Some parts were a little bit like: " omg a polar bear!!! And another one! And one more 😱"
Im sorry, but there is no way you ran in to three polar bears within 12 hours.
This book accomplished what it was meant to do. I feel very compelled to take a stand against climate change now.
Even if its not my favorite book ever, i still think everyone should read 2 degrees.
January 29, 2023
What a thought provoking book! Once again Alan Gratz keeps three stories going and you can’t stop reading to find out what happens to each main character! Akira, Owen, and his best friend, George, and Natalie each have a tale to tell that is more harrowing than the next. What is the common thread…climate change! If you want a book you can’t literally put down…Two Degrees A planet in crisis. And time is running out. is the next book for you! Enjoy!
June 5, 2023
I love Alan Gratz’s writing style. It was great to see him use his influence to bring awareness to climate change!
January 30, 2023
Kids who are passionate about climate change will love this book!
January 24, 2024
I'm rereading the book again because it is that good.
February 10, 2024
Prima voorleesboek voor een 10-jarige. Anne wilde het boek 4,5 ster geven. Hij leerde van alles over Churchill (Manitoba), Miami en Californië rond het thema klimaatverandering. Tijdens het lezen bedacht ik steeds dat de schrijver per dag vast 1.000 woorden moest schrijven van zichzelf. Kwestie van: als je maar stug doorgaat, komt er wel een boek uit. Heel kunstmatig dus. Maar ach, ik zeur natuurlijk: als een kind van 10 een boek leuk vindt, is dat gewoon zo.
January 11, 2024
Kind of boring and I expected a little better from Alan Gratz so disappointed.
All about wildfires and climate change, so if that's your jam then you'll really like this book, but it didn't really appeal to me so...
All about wildfires and climate change, so if that's your jam then you'll really like this book, but it didn't really appeal to me so...
February 28, 2023
The Sierra Nevada, California - Akira - It's a beautiful day, and Akira is doing her most favourite thing in the world, riding her horse Dodger in the mountains around her home with her dad. She saw the smoke on their ride, but Dad dismisses it as nothing to worry about. Akira knows the climate is changing and seeing smoke is not good, but Dad is a climate change denier, and she doesn't want to spoil the beautiful day.
It's not long before she wishes she forced the issue and called it in. She spends hours fleeing flames with her Dad, then strangers, and then on her own with her best friend, Dodger. Using skills learnt from Dad and Dodger's instincts, can she continue to evade the ever growing wildfire?
Churchill, Manitoba - Owen - Owen loves nothing more than a microphone in his hand on board one of his family tundra buggy's full of tourists. They have come to see the polar bears who are waiting for the ice to freeze over once again so they can get back into their natural hunting season.
When not working for his family tourism guide business, Owen hangs out with his best mate George. They know how to stay safe on the snow and ice that surrounds their small town, and are well aware of the dangers of polar bears. Despite having made the trip many times before to an ice-fishing cabin, this time everything goes wrong. Helping keep each other alive, the friends face not one, but two very hungry polar bears.
Miami, Florida - Natalie - the warnings are clear. There is a hurricane on its way. Natalie helps her mum board up their home's windows and prepare for the terrible weather. Hurricane's are becoming even more frequent than ever, but this one defies even the worst expectations. Boarding up the windows don't matter when an entire wall of the house is ripped away.
Natalie is separated from her mother by walls of water, debris and wind. Struggling from one shelter to another as the water rises up buildings, Natalie is determined to survive. She helps others and strangers help her, time after time in the onslaught of the worst hurricane to hit Miami. Will she survive? What about her mother and home?
Another stunning and thought provoking read by Alan Gratz. We all are aware of Climate Change and how the entire planet is affected. We all must do our part, no matter how small to help the planet. Alan Gratz wondered how he could help and began researching for this book.
Although aware that Climate Change is causing wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, flooding and flora and fauna extinctions around the world, Gratz has based Two Degrees in North America. A wildfire, habitat loss and hurricanes are more prevalent in real life every day our planet's temperature rises and Gratz has three main characters, each within and trying to survive their own climate disaster.
As often in Gratz novels, the events or characters are connected in some way, and this is particularly pertinent in Two Degrees. We must all connect in order to save our planet and ultimately everybody on it by keeping the temperature rise under Two Degrees.
Having a climate denier character is a great way to learn about tackling that, especially if it's someone close to you. Other characters put others first before their own needs, which then brings people together in the afterwards of a disaster.
The issue of wealthy over underprivileged is highlighted as those most in need do not often benefit from emergency care and supplies first.
One of my favourite books by this incredibly popular author. A brilliant, gripping, heart wrenching read, along with being a fantastic way to learn about climate change, and how it can affect anyone, anywhere.
Age - 10+
It's not long before she wishes she forced the issue and called it in. She spends hours fleeing flames with her Dad, then strangers, and then on her own with her best friend, Dodger. Using skills learnt from Dad and Dodger's instincts, can she continue to evade the ever growing wildfire?
Churchill, Manitoba - Owen - Owen loves nothing more than a microphone in his hand on board one of his family tundra buggy's full of tourists. They have come to see the polar bears who are waiting for the ice to freeze over once again so they can get back into their natural hunting season.
When not working for his family tourism guide business, Owen hangs out with his best mate George. They know how to stay safe on the snow and ice that surrounds their small town, and are well aware of the dangers of polar bears. Despite having made the trip many times before to an ice-fishing cabin, this time everything goes wrong. Helping keep each other alive, the friends face not one, but two very hungry polar bears.
Miami, Florida - Natalie - the warnings are clear. There is a hurricane on its way. Natalie helps her mum board up their home's windows and prepare for the terrible weather. Hurricane's are becoming even more frequent than ever, but this one defies even the worst expectations. Boarding up the windows don't matter when an entire wall of the house is ripped away.
Natalie is separated from her mother by walls of water, debris and wind. Struggling from one shelter to another as the water rises up buildings, Natalie is determined to survive. She helps others and strangers help her, time after time in the onslaught of the worst hurricane to hit Miami. Will she survive? What about her mother and home?
Another stunning and thought provoking read by Alan Gratz. We all are aware of Climate Change and how the entire planet is affected. We all must do our part, no matter how small to help the planet. Alan Gratz wondered how he could help and began researching for this book.
Although aware that Climate Change is causing wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, flooding and flora and fauna extinctions around the world, Gratz has based Two Degrees in North America. A wildfire, habitat loss and hurricanes are more prevalent in real life every day our planet's temperature rises and Gratz has three main characters, each within and trying to survive their own climate disaster.
As often in Gratz novels, the events or characters are connected in some way, and this is particularly pertinent in Two Degrees. We must all connect in order to save our planet and ultimately everybody on it by keeping the temperature rise under Two Degrees.
Having a climate denier character is a great way to learn about tackling that, especially if it's someone close to you. Other characters put others first before their own needs, which then brings people together in the afterwards of a disaster.
The issue of wealthy over underprivileged is highlighted as those most in need do not often benefit from emergency care and supplies first.
One of my favourite books by this incredibly popular author. A brilliant, gripping, heart wrenching read, along with being a fantastic way to learn about climate change, and how it can affect anyone, anywhere.
Age - 10+
January 13, 2023
1.5 stars... Usually Alan Gratz is a slam dunk, but this one was a miss. There was so much in this book that was truly unbelievable, even though it was supposedly based on real events. I also didn't appreciate being hit over the head over and over with a political agenda. We get it already. This book also had "dumb" adults that needed to be educated by a "smart" kid. I don't think adults should be portrayed as infallible by any means, but I hate when this happens in a book or TV show. People with different viewpoints are not dumb or wrong and we need to portray kids having open discussions with adults instead of telling them they are wrong.
The only thing that kept this from being a 1-star review is that it is a page turner. Characters are left in mortal peril at the end of almost every chapter, and I did want to see how it all turned out.
The only thing that kept this from being a 1-star review is that it is a page turner. Characters are left in mortal peril at the end of almost every chapter, and I did want to see how it all turned out.
April 8, 2023
I am a huge fan of Alan Gratz, and I definitely think climate change is an important topic for middle-grade readers to understand. But this book just missed the mark for me. It was too over the top, and too many uses of the words "climate change". (On one page, "climate change" was repeated 8 times... really?) My disbelief had to be suspended a little too far in all of the different situations. Overall, I feel like this one needed more editing and less in-your-face messaging.
March 29, 2025
This was an action packed middle grade book that teaches about the effects of global warming. I chose this book to fulfill the reading prompt of climate fiction because I have wanted to read a novel by Alan Gratz, and now I know I will read some of his others. Even though this is fiction, it is based on real topics. I enjoyed how the animals played integral parts within the stories. In a way this reminded me of the I Survived series.
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