The Summer We Turned Green

Original and absorbing but filled with such an important message, this book is perfect for teen readers. The Summer We Turned Green tells the story of a typical, normal neighbourhood who all live peacefully. That is until the Council decide to begin building a new airport across the road. The houses on one side of the street are eventually bought by the Council, the residents forced to leave their homes and the neighbourhood is rocked by the events. Soon, a community of Climate Rebels move into the abandoned houses and begin a petition to stop the airport expansion.

This novel is told from the perspective of Luke, a 13 year old boy. His older sister, Rose, announces she is moving in with the Climate Rebels and moves across the road. Determined to save the family, Rose's Dad goes over to try and bring her home, but ends up becoming involved with the protesters himself, moving into the other spare room with the Climate Rebels and transforms into a jean wearing, sandal wearing free thinker. Luke is caught in the middle, between his mum at home and his Dad and sister across the road. Intrigued by the Climate Rebels, Luke goes over and spends some time with the community. He listens and becomes engaged with the important cause of fighting for the planet, but is caught with his loyalty to his mum (and his home comforts of a clean bed, a warm bath and TV). Luke soon finds himself up a tree with a girl from the protesters, fighting the cause to stop the airport expansion and save the planet for his generation.

This book is written with such passion and understanding of the damage being done to the planet and the message to readers of taking action and standing up for yourself rings clear all the way through. As it is written from a young person's perspective, it gives such a clear insight into how young people feel about their future and how everyone can make a difference. It also gives a really refreshing perspective of the amazing people devoting their lives to saving the planet and humanity, rather than representing them as they often are - outcast and eccentric.

Sutcliffe (author) engages the reader with a real understanding of the teenage mindset and each chapter has wit and intelligence as we see Luke transform. This book is an absolute must read for teen/young readers and adults alike. Every reader will reflect on how we can all make small changes to save the planet, no matter how small, we can all make a difference.

352 pages / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish

Suggested Reading Age 11+

The Summer We Turned Green is an entertaining and appealing story set on a street facing demolishment for an airport expansion. The story follows 13-year-old Luke and his family. When his sister Rose moves across the road to join a commune of climate rebels, his parents and neighbours are appalled. His dad moves over the road too, to 'flush out' Rose, but he soon becomes sympathetic to their cause. Gradually realising the issues facing his generation regarding climate change, Luke and his neighbours join forces with the community in the commune to protest against the expansion.

I really enjoyed this book. Whilst witty and appealing to teen readers, the book covers so many important aspects facing society today in regard to the climate crisis. It imparts the fact that everyone needs to do something now; tomorrow is too late. The plot also has great themes of teamwork, acceptance, friendship, being non-judgemental, as well as the importance of peaceful (non-violent) protest.

Through his writing, William Sutcliffe has successfully made an important topic accessible and enjoyable to read about, which is key in promoting the message to the generation for whom it most affects. An amusing and heartwarming, but powerful book. Curriculum links - Science, Geography, PSHEE.

352 pages / Ages 10+ / Reviewed by Katrina Waldron, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

13-year-old Luke has been brought up to be kind and generous. He wasn't to know that lending his sister Rose a sleeping bag would enable her to move out and into the squat over the road or that his Dad would follow her… This is a really heart-warming story. It is very contemporary with the recent extinction rebellion protests on climate change.

The Summer We Turned Green is an amusing story of an environmental protest set in a suburban setting. It tackles some stereotypes and misconceptions with the residents initially being very wary of the protesters but becoming less fearful once they get to know them. "Since the protesters moved in over the road, all the nice, boring polite people on my side of the street simply don't know who to hate any more. They don't want their neighbours' houses demolished in order to build an access road to a new cargo terminal, but even more than that, they don't want weirdos waking them up at night with bongo drums, and they certainly don't want their daughters going to visit anti-capitalist communes and deciding that they like it there."

This is a fantastic book that is definitely worth reading. It tackles the very important issue of climate change in an engaging and relatable way for children and teenagers. One of the things that I love about reading is that it can open your eyes to another way of life. This book also highlighted the fact that life isn't perfect and that there can be rocky relationships and family breakups. Luke's home life changes dramatically when half of his family move into the house across the road.

One of the characters living in the commune is Sky. She is a home-schooled 12-year-old who befriends Luke. Initially, she invites herself over to his house and he can hardly say no after he has had a tour of the commune. She delights in the peace and quiet of Luke's family home and the nurturing that she receives from his mum, who lets her use the bath and freshens up her clothes - even gives her a haircut! Sky would like nothing more than to attend a regular school and learn to fit in with her peer group.

Then the bulldozers roll closer and the protest really heats up… I loved this story. It is really engaging. The main character, Luke, feels authentic. He is an ordinary teenager who ended up not just talking about a problem, but doing something about it.

352 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+