We Don’t Have Time for This

Gr 9 Up–Craft introduces a range of issues faced by marginalized populations, with a focus on climate change. Isa has become obsessed with the topic. The wildfire season has expanded to the point of affecting her first day of junior year, the air has become dangerous to breathe, and one of her classmate’s family members just lost their home to the flames. To add insult to injury, her Samoan father, a longshoreman, is losing hours at the port due to the construction of a new gas pipeline. Frustrated that no one seems to be taking the changing environment seriously, Isa learns there’s a school club focused on it and jumps in with both feet. Unfortunately, she lands toe-to-toe with Darius, who was expecting to be club president this year and had planned activities to further his college aspirations, instead of taking up the climate issues affecting their daily lives. When the pair wind up as copresidents, their competing interests turn into a test of wills; soon, their interests turn toward each other. Finally in accord, they agree to try stopping the pipeline, but the mayor has other plans. Through its diverse cast of characters, Craft’s story introduces the varied impacts of discrimination while extolling the virtues of strong family and community bonds.