What This Book Is About
Most books about climate change leave you feeling overwhelmed and helpless. This one does the opposite. Irish author and illustrator Oisin McGann breaks down the science of climate change into clear, digestible sections—how greenhouse gases work, why the ice caps matter, what feedback loops are—and pairs every problem with concrete actions young people can actually take.
The book is packed with diagrams, infographics, and a touch of dark humor that keeps the tone energetic rather than preachy. McGann doesn't sugarcoat the crisis (he's blunt about what governments and corporations have failed to do) but he consistently returns to a message of agency: you are not powerless, and small choices compound into real change. Written specifically for readers aged 10 and up, it respects their intelligence without drowning them in jargon. If your child has ever asked "What can I actually do about climate change?" this is the book that answers that question.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Environmental stewardship is a core UWC value, woven into everything from campus sustainability initiatives to the school's service learning programs. This book equips students with the scientific literacy to understand climate change at a systems level while maintaining the empowering, solutions-oriented tone that prevents eco-anxiety from becoming paralysis.
It is particularly relevant in Singapore, where students can observe the effects of climate change firsthand—rising sea levels threatening a low-lying island nation, intensifying tropical storms, and heat records broken year after year. The book transforms abstract global policy into personal action, which is exactly the bridge UWC wants its students to build.
Reading Level Guide
Too challenging at A1. Build foundations with graded readers or illustrated picture books first.
Right in the sweet spot. Accessible for strong A2 readers, comfortable for early B1.
An easy read at B2. Try The Radium Girls or The Giver for more challenge.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free 30-minute English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.