This collective graphic biography is a great introduction for young readers to the climate issues facing our world today. By profiling 16 young climate activists from around the world, Reynolds covers a wide variety of issues and shows how young people can create change. Each activist’s story is told through the work of a different illustrator, which allows for each section to stand on its own as unique and individual. This is a strong addition for upper elementary and middle school collections.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the advance copy of Drawn to Change the World. All opinions in this review are my own.

What an incredible graphic novel for a young audience about people their own age who are working to make a difference in the face of climate change. The book is highly informational and really benefits from the graphic novel format. Graphic novels are incredibly popular at my library, with almost all of the collection circulating regularly. While we have a large fiction section, I am working to grow the collection of nonfiction graphic novels as well. This book will speak to any child concerned with climate change, but will also reach those who may not yet have a vested interest in it. I can see this book being used by students researching climate change as it provides factual information in an easy to digest format. The format will likely appeal to a larger pool of readers than if it was a straight up nonfiction book. I appreciated the section following the story of each activist that tells readers what they are currently up to and how to stay up to date with their work.

This book does a great job showing young climate activists from all over the world (as opposed to just in one country or region) to help give kids a picture of what's going on outside of the world of their everyday lives. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging, and seeing as nonfiction circulates very well in my library, I can see this book doing very well on our shelves.

I've already added this book to our cart for purchase for this month. Looking forward to displaying it when it arrives!

Drawn To Change The World is a collection of graphic novel biographies of 16 young climate and environment activists from around the world, created by 16 different artists. This collection has been curated and edited by Emma Reynolds with each comic element being accompanied by prose explaining what the activist has been doing more recently and giving links to where you can find out more/social media etc.
This is an incredibly powerful collection that tells the story of the activists well for a young audience (10/11+) and inspires us to think about how we can help to make a difference to our world or our community,
The text features a diverse range of subjects as well as a diverse range of artists and demonstrates an intersectional approach to activism.
Excellent book that should feature in all school book collections and libraries!

This was so well done. I already loved the author's previous children's book, and was excited to see this. I loved the stories about different people making such a huge difference in our environmental crisis, and we are so delighted to put this out for the inspiration of the kids in our library. I loved the variety and diversity of the art and the contributors and the stories.

A wonderful assembly of voices in visual and verbal form that is unique and purposeful — I would gladly add this to my classroom shelf. Much to explore for connections that are relevant.

Drawn to Change the World is a middle-grade graphic novel featuring profiles of 16 youth climate activists, drawn by 16 artists. The activists and artists come from different cultures across the globe. Some are well-known, others will be less familiar. The book also explores the reasons our climate is in crisis, and provides suggestions for how to help. Underpinning the storytelling is a refreshing and much-needed focus on Indigenous solutions and intersectional climate justice.

This book is a critical and timely resource. As I write, many communities across multiple continents are battling catastrophic fires, global air and ocean temperatures are reaching record highs, and other parts of the Earth are experiencing extreme, uncharacteristic, weather conditions — all of which are being linked to or exacerbated by the climate crisis. We are already feeling the effects, from rising sea-levels destroying natural environments and homes to the health impacts of pollution, and so much more. Drawn to Change is a call to action; a call to save our planet.

While these topics are complex and heavy (for adults too!), Emma has skilfully described the challenges we face in a way which will be understandable for young people — without talking down to them. You don’t have to become a famous activist or take sole responsibility for fixing the climate crisis. Many of the suggestions offered are accessible to a range of young people, with readers encouraged to create solutions relevant to their own environment, capabilities, and privilege.

The profiles of the two passionate Autistic change makers — Greta Thunberg and Dara McAnulty — discuss their openness and pride in being Autistic and how their activism and care for the environment has provided a sense of purpose and enhanced their wellbeing. The stories of Greta and Dara, demonstrating how they have channelled their passions for the environment into positive actions, will encourage and empower many young Autistic people. And we mustn’t forget Emma, who is also Autistic — she wrote the book, and campaigns for climate justice, particularly through art and books.

I was left with immense gratitude and respect for younger generations who are shouting for and demanding change. Despite being written for younger audiences, Drawn to Change the World will motivate readers of all ages. It is the perfect companion for everyone who enjoys Dara McAnulty’s books and are wondering what they can do to fight the climate crisis.

Drawn to Change the World is one of the most important books of 2023 and will become an essential addition to homes, libraries, and classrooms across the world.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the review copy of Drawn to Change the World. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Note: The stories of each of the activists in the book will inspire readers. My book reviews focus on books related to autism, hence the focus on the Autistic activists in this review.]

Every now and again a book appears that stops me in my tracks and compels me to use that pause to reflect on the content in the context of my everyday experience and to try to make some change in response. Drawn to Change the World written by Emma Reynolds and illustrated in graphic novel format by Emma and fifteen other artists from diverse backgrounds has had exactly this impact on me. Written primarily for a Middle Grade readership, I think that this is a book that everyone should read. It is a collection of graphic novel-style biographies of sixteen young climate activists, each illustrated by a different artist who belongs to a minority group. I have named each artist at the end of the review, alongside the activist whose story they have depicted. After each comic strip biography, there is a double page of factual information including the awards and accolades that each campaigner has won and their website or social media details for anyone who wants to explore their work in more detail. There is also a summary of the climate and nature crisis at the beginning of the book and further facts, timelines and resources at the end.

As I read the biographies contained within this collection, I was struck by these thoughts:

Firstly, how astonishingly young these activists are now, and how young they were when they began their activism. It is really humbling to see how much they have achieved in their lives so far, driven by the realisation that they have to do something to halt the climate emergency because my generation have been so complacent.
Secondly, these stories make plain a truth that I was aware of but probably needed to have spelled out by those with lived experience – the consequences of pollution and climate change are suffered disproportionately by those living in minority communities and in the “global south”.
Thirdly, that we should respect the culture and practices of indigenous communities who have a connection with the land and know how to nurture and honour their environment.
Fourthly, how impactful the graphic storytelling format is when used for biography.
Finally, that there are changes and choices that I can make in my own life to try to reduce my own impact on the environment and to show solidarity with these brave and inspirational individuals. They are driven by the belief that change can happen and I feel the need to acknowledge their optimism and make a contribution to their goal.
Of course, many young readers will be very familiar with the story of Greta Thunberg and some will also know about Dara McAnulty through his books and television appearances. Drawn to Change the World shines a light on fourteen more activists from across the global community, including those from first nations and indigenous communities such as Autumn Peltier from Ontario, Canada and Tokata a member of the Standing Rock Sioux in Dakota, USA. The ingenuity and bravery demonstrated by the young people in these biographies not only illustrates their characters but also the sense of urgency that they feel about the climate emergency and the consequences for their futures if action is not taken quicklyy. Many have won national and international awards for their campaigning, some have delivered TED Talks or spoken at the UN General Assembly and some such as Arshak Makichyan and Ōu Hóngyi have had the courage to start protest movements in Russia and China. I am so grateful to Emma Reynolds and her fellow artists for bringing these profiles to life through their fantastic graphical art which will be in full colour throughout the finished edition when Drawn to Change the World is published in September 2023.

To quote Leah Namugerwa, who started the #FridaysForFuture strikes in Uganda, aged just 14:

Young people have shown the world that we can get things done – at times better than adults. That’s why organisations should have youth representatives on their governing bodies, that’s why young people should be involved in climate negotiations. We understand the needs of young people. We have the biggest stake in the future.

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Drawn to Change the World is a book that needs to be in every school library, both primary and secondary (it got a strong vote of approval here from a teen who has a very discerning taste in books), I’d also recommend it to all adults of my acquaintance.

I’d like to finish by acknowledging all the artists who bring these biographical stories to life with their unique graphic art styles. I know from friends who are school librarians and teachers that the graphic novel format is extremely popular amongst students and I hope that this collection will grab the attention that it deserves.

Natasha Donovan illustrated the story of Autumn Peltier

Gloria Félix illustrated the story of Tokata

Ann Maulina illustrated the story of Melati and Isabel Wijsen

Bill Masuku illustrated the story of Edgar Edmund Tarimo

Teo DuVall illustrated the story of Jamie Margolin

Derick Brooks illustrated the story of Jerome Foster II

Emma Reynolds illustrated the story of Greta Thunberg

Shivana Sookdeo illustrated the story of Ridhima Pandey

Devon Holzwarth illustrated the story of Daphne Frias

Anoosha Syed illustrated the story of Iqbal Badruddin Jamal

Erin Hunting illustrated the story of Jean Hinchliffe

Margarita Kukhtina illustrated the story of Arshak Makichyan

Jade Zhang illustrated the story of Ōu Hóngyi

Natasha Nayo illustrated the story of Leah Namugerwa

Victoria Maderna and Federico Piatti illustrated the story of Dara McAnulty

I am immensely grateful to Emma Reynolds and Harper Alley/Harper360 for sending me an ARC of Drawn to Change the World ahead of publication in September 2023.

I received a copy of this early from Emma and NetGalley to have a look and give an honest review. This excellent book is being released on the 12th of September.
This book brings together the stories of sixteen young climate activists and tells their story through the use of short illustrated passages, each passage is worked on by a different artist in their own style.

The book emphasises that it is indigenous people and other marginalised people who will face the brunt of the disasters that the climate emergency will bring about and the majority of the youth written about in the book are from those communities.

The message is strong and consistent throughout and shows the draconian obstacles that are met at every turn by these activists, whether it is in a country that already arrests and cracks down on its population or in countries that are passing laws that make protest and activism harder and harder.

The artists that have been used to support this message show a wide range of styles and each one is brilliantly done.

At the start and end of the book there are information sections talking about the science and on what you can do as an individual to make a stand about the climate emergency.

A fascinating look at the inspirations and lives of young people who had no choice but to stand up and speak out.

An engageing graphic non-fiction book, highlighting 16 children from around the world campaigning and taking action to save our planet.. Each biography drawn by a different artists each with their own particular style gives this book an attraction not seen in many non-fiction titles. A must have for every school library.

A fun format. K loved the sixteen stories that taught you about powerful and inspiring activists looking to change things for the better. It is not only informative but inspires you to make a change as well.

Stunning. Eye-opening. A blazing beacon of hope and a powerful call to action. An absolute must-read. One of the very best books of 2023.

Wow – I don’t think I can put into words what a powerful and inspirational book this is! With all the stories you’ll read, you will be proud of the next generation and how they’re determined to make those in power accountable for decisions which affect their future. This is a perfect book for classrooms and libraries as I know how popular graphic novels are so this is ideal: with 16 illustrators involved so each graphic novel design is slightly different, each page is bright and eye-catching to keep readers engaged. So many of these activists were unfamiliar to me so I found this a fascinating read. I also really liked the information about each activist along with social media handles so readers can do their own research after reading.

Drawn to Change the World by Emma Reynolds is a revolution in a book. The true stories of sixteen powerful and inspiring young climate activists in defence of our earth against all odds. This essential compilation should be in every classroom around the globe. To quote Reynolds: “Art and books are a protest. This book is a protest.” And if we aren’t protesting climate change, what are we doing? This graphic novel is a call to action. A plea that we must protect the earth. If we don’t, the day is going to come when there is no world left to save. Drawn to Change the World isn’t only inspirational, it is an invitation and challenge to readers of all ages to rise against corruption, pollution, and greed, clean up our planet, and demand a better world.

A beautifully edited graphic novel which tells the story behind 16 different climate change activists through 16 various artists. Each activist was drawn to a unique and exciting point, capturing a sense of their personality and making them identifiable from each other. Very educational.

Drawn to Change the World, an anthology of short graphic biographies of young climate and environmental activists, is a great primer for young readers on the ecological issues we face as a global society. With a wide variety of authors, artists, and nationalities of its subjects, Drawn to Change the World presents environmental activism not just as an American or European issue, nor one pertaining to one race or ethnicity more than others. The panels are engaging, and the book makes larger scientific concepts at times very palatable for middle school and middle grade readers.

Where the book struggles, however, is related to its broad focus and variety of topics - the short nature of its chapters leave little room for deeper exploration of its subjects' work in activism. Perhaps choosing fewer activists (saving the rest for a second volume) and going deeper not just on their work and the impact of their work would allow a more thorough understanding of these kids' work and not just the big beats of their success stories.

Overall, though, I can see this one being popular with graphic nonfiction readers, particularly those with a science and/or justice bent.

There are some truly wonderful non-fiction titles out now for younger readers on a huge range of subjects but perhaps none are as important as those on the subject of climate change and other environmental issues. We all know that our planet is in a terrible mess and yet so many adults bury their heads in the sand, working on the premise that it is someone else’s problem.

Those someone elses are our children, on whom an enormous burden is placed because if they cannot fix things there is no hope of ever getting out of the mess in which we find ourselves. Here, in this new title, author-illustrator Emma Reynolds has rallied a collection of other concerned artists to produce a unique book which is both inspiring and terrifying in equal measure as it reveals the stories of 16 young activists who have stepped up to make a difference in their communities and around the world through a series of short graphic novel biographies in combination with bursts of text to add further detail.

Some names will be familiar to young readers while others will be new but what links them all is their vision, passion and commitment to caring for and improving the environment not just for themselves but for all of us. For children reading this, who so often believe that they are too young to be heard, or to make a difference, the figures chosen all started their activism at a young age – some younger than10 – demonstrating clearly that although too young to vote, with persistence and support readers also have the power to be heard and to make a difference. For our tech-savvy youngsters, also included are social media addresses, websites and publications from each activist to allow further personal research.

In addition to the graphic novels, are sections giving further information to guide readers who want to take things further – either to set up their own protests or to support those already campaigning – including a list of suggested reading and a very handy glossary to refer to. What I particularly liked about these, and indeed the entire book, is that throughout the whole read children are not patronised – the writing is not dumbed down but speaks clearly and informatively, arming them with exactly what they need to know. Certainly, I learned a huge amount from reading this.

My enormous thanks go to publisher Harper Collins and to Net Galley for my advance virtual read. Drawn to Change the World publishes on September 14th.