Digger

November 1, 2024

Gr 4-6-Dig for your life in this scientific dystopian novel where the sky really is falling. Damage to the Earth's atmosphere has caused the level of breathable oxygen to sink towards sea level. Tween siblings Nick and Lily and their single mom need to find a way to survive. Luckily, Nick has an unusual hobby, digging tunnels under his house. His network of tunnels, along with Lily's walkie-talkie and community organizing, save the lives of the people in their neighborhood. Hank, the father of Nick's school bully, serves as the villain of the tale. He steals an elderly man's oxygen tank so he can walk above the line of atmosphere, robbing his neighbors' homes. Hank's violence may raise the stakes (and grade level) for some readers and adults. He grabs Lily by the arm and threatens to break it, and later holds Nick at gunpoint; at one point, Nick holds the same gun on him. The images in the book, on the other hand, have a very youthful tone, implying a more middle grade than upper middle school audience. The inherent danger of tunneling underground is not treated as gravely as some would wish. VERDICT An additional purchase where science-based novels are needed.-Jeri Murphy

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In Cholette's middle-grade novel, young siblings form a plan to help neighbors during a climatological disaster. Nick and his younger sister Lily may not know exactly what the magnetosphere is, but they learn that a large crack in it has devastating consequences: Earth's atmosphere is leaking into space, gradually dropping the level of breathable air (this level is eventually called "the Red-Line"). The people in the kids' neighborhood primarily react by sequestering in their basements and worrying about having enough water and food. With the Internet and cell phones no longer working, Lily communicates with her best friends Amy and Maya via walkie-talkies; this gives her an idea for disseminating updates on neighbors and Red-Line news coverage. Meanwhile, Nick has already dug a tunnel to the nearby ravine, employing a skill he picked from his estranged father, a backhoe operator. He and friends dig tunnels and trenches around the neighborhood to expedite sharing resources, bathrooms, and basements, but one villainous neighbor would rather just take what he wants, no matter who he hurts. The cast of Cholette's tale shines. Nick and Lily model selflessness; nearly everything they do involves helping others, even when this puts them in danger. They're also conflicted over their dad apparently abandoning them (he never returned from a New York construction project). That's one mystery that lingers for a time, along with the reason behind Nick's ex-pal Noah severing their friendship. The author fills the pages with such fun, fresh slang as "crouch-running" and "Red-Lining," a practice in which characters somehow "surf" the Red-Line. This short, concisely written novel, aptly depicting a worldwide catastrophe through the lens of one small neighborhood, ends on a satisfying and convincing note. Ortu's crisp, comic-book style illustrations feel immersive as they wrap around the text, cover multiple pages, or show above- and underground perspectives simultaneously. Engaging adolescent heroes propel this streamlined, riveting eco-fiction.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)

Starred review from November 1, 2024
In Cholette's compelling middle grade novel, Nick and Lily miss Dad, who left home a year ago for a construction project in New York. "He was the best digger around," Nick says, "operating big backhoes." To impress Dad, Nick dug a tunnel from his basement bedroom to the 50-foot-deep ravine behind their neighborhood; Mom, meanwhile, is too overwhelmed with work and single parenting to notice. When a climate catastrophe hits, Nick reveals his underground dugout, and the family hides food there. Soldiers evacuating the area spray a "Red-Line," indicating life (breathable oxygen) below and death (insufficient oxygen) above. Nick and Lily network with other neighbors to dig tunnels, set up a walkie-talkie system, and use the low-lying ravine for travel, safety, communication, and gatherings. Tension mounts, though, as the Red-Line keeps dropping, a violent neighbor steals food and oxygen tanks, and promised food deliveries are delayed. The fast-paced story includes social-issue themes, including bullying, mental health, and gun violence. Ortu's crisp illustrations individuate Cholette's diverse cast of characters and enhance her storytelling. Young readers will find this a (pun intended) breathtaking, page-turning read.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.