The Year Without a Summer: A Novel

About the Book

Explosive volcanic eruptions are cool, really, cool. They inject ash into the stratosphere and deflect the sun's rays. When eighth grader Jamie Fulton learns that snow fell in June in his hometown because of an eruption on the other side of the world, he's psyched! He could have snowboarded if he'd lived back in 1815 during the year without a summer.

Clara Montalvo, who recently arrived at Jamie's school after surviving Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, has a different take all this. She is astounded-and disturbed-by Jamie's frenzied enthusiasm for what she considers an obvious disaster. The teens' battling arguments cause science class disruption and create academic trouble: Jamie's headed for a failing grade in science, and may not even graduate from eighth grade; Clara's scholarship hopes are dashed. And school isn't the only place where Jamie and Clara are facing hardship: as they quarrel whether natural disasters can be beneficial, their home lives are also unraveling. Uncertainty about Jamie's wounded brother returning from Afghanistan and Clara's unreachable father back in Puerto Rico forces the two vulnerable teens to share their worries and sadness. As their focus shifts from natural disasters to personal calamities to man-made climate changes, the teens take surprising steps that astonish them. Ultimately, through hard work and growing empathy for each other, as well as for their classmates' distress over the climate change affecting their lives, Jamie and Clara empower themselves and the people they touch.

About the Author :
Arlene Mark grew up in western Pa. steel country before making her way to NYC to begin her career. After working in fashion, marrying, and committing to her family, she lived in London, Caracas, and Toronto with husband and three children before settling in CT. She has an MA in special education, a certification in school psychology and interned at NY State Psychiatric Institute. Her work has appeared in Highlights for Children, Spider, Skipping Stones, Adolescence, Their World, and Greenwich Magazine. She is the author of To the Tower, A Greenwich Adventure, coauthor of Paraverbal Communication with Children: Not Through Words Alone and has served as a Greenwich Time contributing editor writing articles about children’s emotional lives. Her eight grandchildren are enthusiastic fans. When not writing, Arlene can be found lobstering with her husband, Reuben, visiting schools in Asia and Latin America, reading (mostly books for kids), and screening new films.

Review :
“Mark’s novel will appeal to both a middle-grade and YA audience, as it discusses its heavy topics with finesse and warmth. It’s a compelling blend of a teenage romance and a tale of attempting to make a difference in the world at large. . . . A well-balanced and wide-ranging story for young readers.”
—Kirkus Review

“Mixing a teenage romance with political and environmental commentary, The Year Without a Summer is an inspiring novel.”
—Foreword Reviews 

“A wonderful and captivating read about courage, commitment, and the power to make a difference at any age. Don't go another day without reading The Year Without a Summer.”
—Howard Roughan, New York Times best-selling author

“A touching story that intertwines the complex dynamics of both our relationships and the climate system . . . reminding us of the power of curiosity and scientific discovery in forging a better life. The rich storyline reminds me of my own love of skiing at a young (and older!) age.”
—John Fasullo, PhD Project Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research

“What will happen if empathy vanishes and we only consider our own limited points of view? This timely book is an engaging contribution to young people's understanding of global warming, raising important, interesting, and powerful questions for young readers. The Year Without a Summer demonstrates vividly that people are more than what they seem, and that everyone has a heartache.”
—Selene Castrovilla, author of Seeking Freedom: The Untold Story of Fortress Monroe and the Ending of Slavery in America

“Two main characters from different cultures discover their ordinary but differing views about lots of things. I love how they find ways to disagree, even agree sometimes, and summon courage to face all that comes their eighth grade way, including natural, man-made, and family disasters. I couldn’t put the novel down.”
—Miguel Garcia-Colon, Greenwich Library, Byram Shubert Branch Manager