The Year Without a Summer: A Novel by Arlene Mark PAPERBACK 9781684631476

Arlene Mark

Explosive volcanic eruptions are cool, really, cool. They inject ash into the stratosphere and deflect the suns rays. When eighth grader Jamie Fulton learns that snow fell in June in his hometown because of an eruption on the other side of the world, hes psyched! He could have snowboarded if hed lived back in 1815 during the year without a summer. Clara Montalvo, who recently arrived at Jamies school after surviving Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, has a different take all this. She is astoundedand disturbedby Jamies frenzied enthusiasm for what she considers an obvious disaster. The teens battling arguments cause science class disruption and create academic trouble Jamies headed for a failing grade in science, and may not even graduate from eighth grade Claras scholarship hopes are dashed. And school isnt the only place where Jamie and Clara are facing hardship as they quarrel whether natural disasters can be beneficial, their home lives are also unraveling. Uncertainty about Jamies wounded brother returning from Afghanistan and Claras unreachable father back in Puerto Rico forces the two vulnerable teens to share their worries and sadness. As their focus shifts from natural disasters to personal calamities to manmade climate changes, the teens take surprising steps that astonish them. Ultimately, through hard work and growing empathy for each other, as well as for their classmates distress over the climate change affecting their lives, Jamie and Clara empower themselves... | Arlene Mark Year Without a Summer Paperback Book