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A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out
CCBC Review:
Nicholas Day successfully juxtaposes two related events that took place in 1815 and 1816: the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mount Tambora, and the creative catalyst of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Tambora was one of the biggest volcanic events in world history and radically altered the earth’s climate and weather for several years. The magnitude of the destruction is referred to as “climate shock;” it foreshadows our current state of climate change. At the time of the eruption, world news was limited, so while the people of Indonesia knew exactly what had happened, the resulting climate problems that spread around the globe were misunderstood. The physical impact of the eruption and it’s social and geographic effects are carefully chronicled and contextualized. The extreme famine and poverty that resulted, especially in Europe, are vividly depicted. Combined with the eerie weather (sunspots; gray, ash-filled skies; day after day of rain), life seemed unbearable. Enter the imagination of Mary Shelley, who harnessed the stark backdrop of the worst of humanity and the magic of science to create Frankenstein. Mary’s commitment to her writing career was no small feat. Despite her challenging roles as wife (to poet Percy Shelley) and mother, she managed to publish a visionary story that she was only posthumously credited for. Atmospheric art by Yas Imamura; short chapters; and pointed, critical questions for readers makes A World Without Summer a chilling story from the past as well as a cautionary forecast. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Yas Imamura
CCBC Age Recommendation: 10-14
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
17th Century
Climate Change
History (Nonfiction)
Natural Disasters
Rumor, Myth and Misinformation
Weather
World History
Writers and Writing
Diversity subject:
Asian
On CCBC Booklist:
Eco-Reading: Selected Books for Children and Teens about Our Earth and the Environment
Publishers:
Random House, Random House Studio
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 294
ISBN: 9780593643877
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 303 Day