Climate change is really important to be aware of, but it's hard to imagine that anyone picking this up doesn't already know that. It leaves the book coming off a bit preachy, and definitely to the choir. The ending (no spoilers here) is also super abrupt. You'll need to read the second book to have any idea what is going on. It feels like it just stops mid-sentence. Would have really preferred better explained characters.

Current bookseller, former meteorologist here. This novel was an average middle-grade read in my opinion. Child tech-prodigy, Jax, gets in trouble with his school (and the law) while seeking revenge against a grump-of-a-teacher who is always unimpressed with his antics. He is given two choices: go to juvie or join a mysterious organization called the Climate Action Taskforce and use his skills for the good of the planet. In choosing to go with the taskforce, Jax meets other earth-loving youngsters like him from all walks of life. August is a nice, nerdy Canadian, Kylie is a granola-loving Australian, and fellow America, Gracie, is the veteran of the group, unimpressed with the new fellow recruits. Can Team 19 iron out the kinks in their teamwork processes and learn to work together while at the Academy and beyond?

I really enjoyed the idea of this book. This book includes mentions of cow farts and other kid-oriented, real-life climate facts as well as innovative solutions dreamed up by Team 19 members that are too cool for school. I would have loved this book growing up. The idea of the Climate Action Taskforce is fun- it gave me serious Spy Kids vibes, and as someone who has worked in the climate science realm, it is wonderful to read about a lightly science fiction world where kids are empowered to lend their skills to solve the climate crisis.

I did struggle to relate to the main character, Jax. I feel like kids books have to walk a tightrope with their main characters being rule-breaking, cool kids so that children are excited by them but also show their main characters growing and learning morals through the consequences of their actions, so that parents will approve of them. This novel swung wildly to the former side- Jax at one point hacks into a car and drives it off a cliff and the consequences are that he gets to become a climate wunderkind. Some of the side characters are also incredibly stereotypical, leading to an inauthentic feeling at times. This is the first book of the series, so perhaps this novel is establishing a baseline for each of the characters and future novels will highlight their growth as individuals.

I'd give this middle-grade book a 3/5, but with the caveat that I will most likely be keeping an eye out for the sequel to see how Jax and the rest of Team 19 evolve together.

What worked:
The topic focuses on climate change and the opposing views that are debating the issue. Jax is the main character and he’s recruited by CAT, a secret world organization combating the causes and effects of climate change. Short chapters mixed in share the view that any atmospheric changes are natural and humans are overreacting to normal weather patterns. Efforts to improve pollution and global warming will cost trillions of dollars and people will lose jobs that are dependent on fossil fuels. Their attitude is that we shouldn’t thank businesses that have given us everyday fuel sources and plastics by forcing them to close due to environmental concerns. The book blends information about climate change throughout the plot so readers will learn something while being entertained. The mid-term project for the recruits is to find a way to decrease methane emissions in cow farts!
The introduction of CAT, the Climate Action Taskforce, to the story makes it sound like a CIA operation. Agents dressed in black suits and dark glasses arrive at Jax’s home and present him with a choice between going to juvenile detention or attending the Academy. He’ll be trained there to become a CAT agent. The agents show up in a solar-powered, bulletproof, amphibious car with an exoskeleton made from tungsten. Academy candidates are flown in a windowless drone to an unidentified location, somewhere in the world. The secrecy and high tech of CAT are reminiscent of a covert government agency. There are clues provided about the Academy director that will make readers think he’s a shady character.
Jax is an intriguing character due to his diverse attitudes toward saving the environment and intolerance for bullies. He’s a genius but he doesn’t play well with others! Another recruit named Grace may be more interesting though. She has a superior, condescending attitude and immediately begins calling Jax, August, and Kylie nerds because of their knowledge and excitement about the environment. Grace says she attended the Academy the previous year but it’s clear she didn’t stay for the whole thing. She interrupts the counselor whenever he mentions her past participation so Jax realizes she’s hiding something. It doesn’t help that Grace is chosen captain over him so Jax is determined to prove himself superior to her at any cost. Their ongoing feud will keep readers wondering how bad it will get.
What didn’t work as well:
Jax is a difficult protagonist to root for. He’s arrogant and self-centered, and he doesn’t like being shown up by anyone else. He gets pleasure from antagonizing the people he targets. Jax doesn’t do well with rules and limits and he quickly gets offended or annoyed by authority. While his behavior and attitude make him difficult to like, these qualities help the plot’s conflict grow and increase the tension. Hopefully, the events at the end of the book will cause Jax to change his combative ways in the sequel.
The final verdict:
The cow fart methane problem is real; there was a story about it on my local news program this morning! The author skillfully includes facts about the climate crisis without making it annoying or overwhelming for readers. Jax’s personality is hard to tolerate but it certainly helps keep readers interested. I highly recommend you give it a shot! Can’t wait for the sequel.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Borrowed Planet Press for giving me this opportunity.
The Climate Diaries: The Academy is about a 12-year-old boy who is too smart for his own good and is given the opportunity to put his brilliance to use at the academy which focuses on climate issues and how to help the crisis the Earth is facing.
The main character, Jax, gets into a lot of trouble and he gives the impression that he believes he is above the law and doesn’t think of the consequences of his actions which plays a major part throughout this book. He’s a very unlikable and immature character throughout the book and only thinks of getting his own way by doing whatever he can to achieve it.
Grace has an antagonistic role and butts heads with Jax throughout the book. She comes from a broken family and is just doing what she can to get by even if it means breaking some rules.
August I found to be a likeable character, and he seems to be the one keeping the peace between the team. He does what is right, even if it means going against his friends.
Kylie, When I read she was Australian, I was happy about that as I'm Australian too. When she had her first line of dialogue she sounded exactly like a stereotype. She uses words that barely any kid her age does, even if she did come from somewhat of a holistic background. I had to even look up one of the words she used as I had never heard of it before. This stereotype that Kylie falls into feels like it's been pulled from an episode of the Simpsons and shows a partial lack of research that went into a ten-year-old Australian girl. Some of the Australian parts of Kylie’s story are very under researched. Kangaroos and Koalas are dangerous for starters. Jax, August, and Grace, in the beginning, are almost rude to what is described as the Australian way of life and what the Indigenous population did before colonisation.
Overall, this book was a little hard to get through but I’m willing to give the second one a chance and see how some of the plotlines are resolved.