Where the Lockwood Grows

by Olivia A. Cole

Twelve-year-old Erie has never lived life fully in the sunlight. After destructive wildfires wreaked havoc on the world around her, the government came up with a plan—engineer a plant that cannot burn. Thus, the fire-resistant lockwood was born. The lockwood protects Erie and her hometown of Prine, but it grows incredibly fast and must be cut back every morning. Only the town’s youngest and smallest citizens can fit between the branches and tame the plant. Citizens just like Erie.

But one evening, Erie uncovers a shocking secret that leads her to question the rules of Prine. Alongside her older sister, Hurona, she’ll journey from the only home she’s known and realize that the world is much more complicated than she'd ever imagined.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, LGBT, Audiobook, Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

Olivia Cole is an author and blogger from Louisville, Kentucky. She spent eight years in Chicago and two in South Florida before finding her way back home. She is the author of PANTHER IN THE HIVE and its sequel, THE ROOSTER’S GARDEN, as well as her latest young adult series, A CONSPIRACY OF STARS and its sequel AN ANATOMY OF BEASTS. She is on the Creative Writing faculty at the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and is the founder of the sci-fi art show for young Kentucky women, KINDRED: MAKING SPACE IN SPACE.

Reviews

[Erica Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Not only is it a beautiful story, but there is a lot of intelligent subtext. Environmentally conscious. Anti-corporation. Socially aware—with a broad spectrum of character diversity. There are even some great mini lessons on government and economy—just little pops of information so well blended into the story that you hardly notice they are there.

While some of the topics in this book might be heavy, the tone is hopeful and upbeat. This book is a real celebration of Earth and family, with a very stiff nod towards nonconformity/individuality (of which I heartily approve). I was fighting back the tears by the end.

P.S. Be sure to read the Acknowledgments at the end of this book. Even that brought tears to my eyes.

[Andrew Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing because of its faster pace and slightly cozy yet thrilling atmosphere.

[Marti (Letstalkaboutbooksbaybee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

-middle grade
-climate fiction
-emotional sister relationships
-giving The Giver and City of Ember vibes
-of course it made me cry

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a review copy

[DanniDabbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has such an interesting premise! I was fascinated with the different scientific inventions, especially the lockwood itself. There are some big reveals in here that I didn’t see coming. There is also quite a bit of LGBTQIA+ representation, which is nice to see. Overall, this is a great introduction to young readers as to why we should care about our environment, no matter what age we might be.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning. Erie and Hurano are such great characters and we slowly see their personalities and their relationships come to life.
The Town of Prime and the Lockwood was so interesting. A vine that can stop fire? Wouldn't that be great to have. But it's literally suffocating their town and the kids have to go up and cut it back everyday.
I liked the relationship that the girls have with their mom, even though there are some secrets being kept from each of them.
Their mom, is brave and strong but has lost her confidence.
There were some shockers in here that I wasn't expecting! But they were so good!
I liked the look at things that are happening with climate change that were not so much talked about in your face, but pointed out throughout.
Hurano and Erie make some great friends along their adventure. I liked seeing the different families and different representation.
I think a lot of the middle graders at my library will like this book. It has so much to offer, a little bit of adventure, mystery, suspense, and real feelings.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of post-apocalyptic science fiction, then this book is for you! It’s a thrilling story that highlights the fragility of nature and our environment and how natural disasters can have catastrophic effects on society.

When wildfires destroy most of the world, the government’s solution is to cultivate a fire resistant plant called lockwood. Lockwood protects the town of Prine, where Eerie and her Sister Hurona live with their mother, but as a result of its continuous fast growth, the town rarely sees the daylight. It is up to the smallest children to undergo the most dangerous task of cutting back the lockwood each morning before sunrise, just to survive. One night, Eerie climbs to the highest point of the lockwood and discovers a shocking secret that will change the fate of Prine forever.

Though there are some devastating and dark moments in this story, there are also many tender moments between family and friends that spark hope in this adventure story.

The more I read, the more I was intrigued by this story until I simply couldn't put it down until I reached the thrilling end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erie has only ever known life in the dark, little town of Prine. Prine is dark because it is surrounded by lockwood trees. Lockwood was developed to grow rapidly and to resist fire after a series of devastating fires caused by climate change. Erie and the other children climb high in the lockwood each day to cut it back to allow enough sun in to charge their solar panels while older children like her sister, gather the lockwood pods from the ground. One night Erie and Hurona discover a deadly secret about the lockwood and decide they need to visit the city of Petrichor to alert the inventor of the lockwood. Even though Petrichor is not surrounded by lockwood, all is not as peaceful as it seems and Erie uncovers more secrets the more she investigates, including some long-buried family secrets.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this while monitoring standardized testing, and that was a mistake because I wanted the kids to stop interrupting me so I could just read. I just love the way Cole writes, plus with this book being conservation-focused, it just healed my little former-scientist heart. Absolutely loved this one - very thankful I got some copies from the publisher because this is going to be my Book Club's first book next school year. Highly recommend for all middle-grade readers, and anyone else who enjoys science or conservation.

Also recommend not reading this in front of students, because the ending had me a lil misty-eyed.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the Lockwood Grows is like a darker, more mature City of Ember. The story follows in the aftermath of wildfires that weaked havoc on the Earth. Where, as a result of the fires, the lockwoods were made. Erie is one of many young children tasked with cutting back the lockwoods that both keep out the fires but also sunlight and regrows each night. Erie was both enjoyable yet infuriating at times as a character to follow. And while I wasn't surprised by any of the reveals, I do believe they were very well executed. I just wish there had been an epilogue to give insight into where some of the other characters ended up or how things panned out a few years later.

[USOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

Where the Lockwood Grows is an emotional middle grade about family, borders, and ethics. This science fiction middle grade is packed with layers. From the very premise of having to fight for sunlight each day, of a world trying to keep kids small for child labor, you can tell Where the Lockwood Grows is going to be complicated and emotional. And Cole doesn't even stop there. This book examines boundaries and identification papers, classicism and technical exploitation, and family secrets.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Part mystery, part dystopian/science fiction and part environmental fiction- this plot packs in a lot. Erie has grown up in Prine, a town surrounded by a special tree that is resistant to fire. Each day the children have to climb and cut it down. Until one day she and her sister discover a secret that sends them on a journey to the ‘big city’. Themes include taking care of the natural world, trust, friendship and family. The cast of characters is diverse and many show a love of science and nature. A few mild swears, some mild violence and the death of a young child from working. 6th grade and up.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It addresses several topics in a way that is easy enough for children to understand. But, as an adult reading the book, I still found it to be a very good story. Very well thought out and delivered. I would recommend it to anyone, and I will definitely be trying to get my son to read it.

[Sam Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erie lives in a small town surrounded by the lockwood that keeps them safe from wildfires. When her sister decides to leave to uncover the lies that keep them trapped, Erie leave the only home she's known to go with her. The secrets that unfold are bigger than Erie could have imagined, and her life will never be the same.

[Themountainbookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildfires have destroyed everything. The worlds solution is a bio engineered tree that never stops growing. This means 12 year old Erie only sees the sun after she and the other child workers have cut back the Lockwood. This book packs a bunch and explores a lot of topics. It’s a dystopian but also reads like a thriller. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

My full review is here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzrzhNMO3Z0/

[Karen Agee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't keep up with climate change issues which is not a good thing. This story is a very outstanding example of what can occur when the wrong people attempt to control the climate to their advantage and how it affects others involved.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Erie’s hopeful stream-of-consciousness narrative and the protagonists’ tumultuous sisterhood add an emotionally grounded through line to this jam-packed, climate-oriented allegory." [Publishers Weekly]

[PErvOL Bookowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Przysięgam wam na uroczyste słowo moje, że tak dojmującego i tak nietuzinkowego i przede wszystkim stylistycznie i konstrukcyjnie tak bardzo obfitego w wartości i niuanse, jak i głębi i emocjonalności Middle grade'a - NIGDY NIE CZYTAŁEM....Ja...ja nie mam słów na to

[Hayden Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so lovely. A really strong stand alone that introduces middle grade readers to environmental issues in a captivating way. The characters were great and the plot was fast-paced yet cozy. I listened to the audiobook while tucked into bed and I highly recommend it.

[Ravenclaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring. It's sad and surprising in many different ways. This book would have gotten a five-star, but I felt like it was a letdown. It shows a lot of 6 it was so much of a letdown for a bit. Being placed in the future was good, but how far in the future was it?

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just right for the age it was written for. Cole introduces important facts about the environment and how important it is for all of us to watch over the Earth. There is just the right amount of suspense and tension in the story. What would happen if a tree grew that completely covered a town - yet also protected the town from dying by fire? Read this book to find out!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

[Elley Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

a post-apocalyptic time with great worldbuilding. it had a moving message about saving the planet and good plot twists at the right times

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Brilliant! Realistically dystopian full of heart and hope.

[Hannah JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful reminder that we can be small enough to make a change. Thank you

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is pretty good if you like fantasy and mystery.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome

[Steph Spone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great YA read. I needed a lighter book. This one caught my attention. I loved the story, it was fun and cute. 3.5 for sure

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great dystopian middle grade novel! Dystopians generally are written for an older audience. It's nice to have a dystopian my students can read.

[Rebecca Schwier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Very fast paced! I loved the characters and the crazy plot. Well done. Want to read more by this author!