Digger

Gr 4-6–Dig for your life in this scientific dystopian novel where the sky really is falling. Damage to the Earth’s atmosphere has caused the level of breathable oxygen to sink towards sea level. Tween siblings Nick and Lily and their single mom need to find a way to survive. Luckily, Nick has an unusual hobby, digging tunnels under his house. His network of tunnels, along with Lily’s walkie-talkie and community organizing, save the lives of the people in their neighborhood. Hank, the father of Nick’s school bully, serves as the villain of the tale. He steals an elderly man’s ­oxygen tank so he can walk above the line of ­atmosphere, robbing his neighbors’ homes. Hank’s violence may raise the stakes (and grade level) for some readers and adults. He grabs Lily by the arm and threatens to break it, and later holds Nick at gunpoint; at one point, Nick holds the same gun on him. The images in the book, on the other hand, have a very youthful tone, implying a more middle grade than upper middle school audience. The inherent danger of ­tunneling underground is not treated as gravely as some would wish.