Five years since the hurricane,
end of childhood bliss,
more changes ahead…
Eliza’s Italian-American family rebuilt shore-side, but most year-rounders on their New Jersey island sold to developers and moved inland.
Summer before their senior year, Eliza and best friend Isa are lifeguards watching over families and surfers, worrying about the nature preserve being sold, doing what they can as climate activists (maybe going a little too far sometimes).
She usually steers clear of the summer people, but grudgingly agrees to teach city boy Milo how to surf since he’ll be here with dad and stepmom all summer.
Her therapist is trying to help the 17 year old unravel her anxiety about hurricane season, to quiet the litany of climate disaster that keeps Eliza up all night.
Milo wants to help the climate justice group – is he sincere or just trying to get closer to Eliza?
What can they do to save the nature preserve from developers with money, money, money?
Flashbacks to the hurricane’s wrath punctuate this stunning novel-in-verse examining changes and challenges.
How has climate change affected your community?
**kmm
Book info: Don’t Call Me a Hurricane / Ellen Hagan. Bloomsbury, 2022. [author site] [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.