Day, Nicholas. World Without Summer, A: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out. YasImamura, Illus. Random House, 09/2025. 294pp. Nonfiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-593-64387-7. GRADES 6–11. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Animated language, dramatic events, and direct questions for the reader, connect the 1815 volcanic explosion of Tambora to a worldwide catastrophic fallout, Frankenstein, and our current climate concerns. The dynamic history is divided into four parts. Titled chapters are teased on the front piece of each section with lists of intriguing topics covered: mysterious cannons, fountains of flame, everyone leaves everywhere. Day masterfully fills readers in on scientific, cultural, and historic background information, from the gruesome mechanics of pyroclastic blasts to the revolutionary and artistic milieu of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley. Moody grey-scale ink, watercolor, and digital spot illustrations match the text’s dark levity. The all-knowing foreshadowing occasionally comes off as glib, and repeated assertions diminish the impact of the narrative contention that Tambora’s climate shock illuminates the present. Well conveyed is the fascinating interconnection of events and the surprising rewards of delving deeper and questioning more. Many races are included, and the central characters are white Europeans. Extensive back matter includes acknowledgements, a bibliography, chapter notes and an index.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired