Hello, friends! Our book today is Our House Is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call To Save The Planet by Jeanette Winter, the story of the young climate change activist and how her passion and determination led a wave of student protests.

Growing up in Sweden, Greta Thunberg was certainly not a household name; the young girl was quiet and shy. Sitting in the back of her classroom and saying little, she thought of herself as invisible. But the day her teacher taught a lesson on climate change was the day that changed everything. Greta, who could “think about one thing for a long, long time” (the only allusion the story makes to her Aspergers Syndrome), began tirelessly researching the effects of climate change, growing more anxious and depressed the more she learned. But what could one teenager do to make the world take notice? Greta decided to start small: with her parents’ permission, she began skipping school on Fridays in protest, picketing outside the Parliament building. At first, she was alone – she still felt invisible. But people began to take notice, and soon more students joined her, first in Sweden and then internationally. She became a powerful public speaker for change, invited to address powerful people all over the world. And her message is simple: we need to begin acting as if the house was on fire – because it is.

Stirring. Thunberg has been making headlines lately with her fiery speeches on climate change, and at the age of sixteen has become a powerful and formidable activist for reform; this book takes a look at how she rose from humble beginnings to do so, showing young readers that even small steps can lead to great things. The themes of the story can be a little intense, especially a sequence that looks at the tragic effects of global climate change, and while this does give the reader a deeper understanding of Thunberg’s despair and drive, it may stress out younger bookworms. I also wish they had explored Thunberg’s ASD more, as she is an inspiring figure for those affected by the disorder. Still, the art complements the text well, and the length is good for any age. JJ and I were moved, and we think you will be too. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)