Dickens & Rumi
Cover of TWO DEGREES

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TWO DEGREES

Alan Gratz

Four kids simultaneously experience three natural catastrophes due to climate change. (Ages 8 to 12)

Ages 10+Source checked

Why this age? The novel is written for middle-grade readers but includes intense natural disasters, danger, separation, injury, animal peril, and emotionally serious survival situations. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age10+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Educational value4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

The threat of death is constant, and there are mentions of past losses and the high risks inherent in climate disasters.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Minor injuries like cuts or scrapes are briefly mentioned as part of the survival experience, but there is no graphic gore.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Mild exclamations only; no strong profanity.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, melting ice, isolation, and endangered people and animals create sustained suspense.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Characters face intense survival situations during natural disasters, including being chased by a polar bear and trapped in fire or storm debris.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Facing life-threatening environmental disasters and acting to help others are central to all three narratives.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Characters use creative problem-solving to survive their respective disasters.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast of protagonists from different geographic and cultural backgrounds.

Educational value4/5
Why this rating?

The story communicates accessible information about climate change, extreme weather, wildfire, hurricanes, and Arctic melting.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Helping strangers, protecting vulnerable people and animals, and cooperating during emergencies are important recurring values.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes emphasize climate responsibility, preparedness, cooperation, resilience, empathy, and taking action to protect others and the planet.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Young protagonists demonstrate resourcefulness, responsibility, persistence, and concern for people and animals in crisis.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in TWO DEGREES would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in TWO DEGREES, and what caused that change?
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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereTWO DEGREES
THE KEEPERDavid BaldacciAges 12+THE FINISHERDavid BaldacciAges 10+Drowned Ammet (Dalemark Quartet, Book 2)Diana Wynne Jones · 1977Ages 12+Cart and Cwidder (The Dalemark Quartet)Diana Wynne Jones · 1975Ages 12+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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