Wow! I had no idea that 'Cross My Heart and Never Lie' had a sequel (or at least one that is published in English), until I found 'Save Our Forest!' in my local library yesterday! After reading it, I know I must buy my own copy for my bookshelf.
'Save Our Forest!' is a klaxon. A wakeup call. A loud, impassioned voice for action in the face and threat of climate change, told from the perspective and ardent, determined and indomitable young voice of Bao, one of Tuva's friends from 'Cross my Heart and Never Lie', who is now leading, charging, her own story.'Save Our Forest!' is about trying to save one forest next to a school, from being bulldozed to make a bigger parking lot (less trees, less soil, less habitats, more cars, more gasses), and also about saving the world, if only more people cared and put in the effort. Like government people.
It is extremely frustrating how stupid, selfish, apathetic, lazy, numb, jaded, shortsighted, and blind to science and facts so many adults and people in positions of power are. They should listen to young people - they care, they know, they've got their wits together, and they are the ones who will be affected most by climate change in the future! They will have to bear the brunt of the previous generation's mistakes.
Included in this children's graphic novel are easy-to-follow facts, and calls to action (protests! petitions! demonstrations! civil disobedience!), as well characters and a story. There are great, inspiring quotes here. It is a slight comfort to know that it is not only Greta Thunberg (who is referenced) who cares and is demanding the world change its ways, its economy and political systems, in order to save it. Though we've still got a long, long way to go.
We can't slacken. We can't be complacent. We can't ignore the facts - as that gives those in undeserved positions in government an excuse to do the same.
I like Bao and her passion. I'll keep saying this: We need more Lisa Simpsons in the world! Bao's relationship with her lawyer mum is well done. Tuva is sort of dating Mariam, but that's early-days ambiguity. They're not the focus this time, anyway. Tuva's dad is also present and awesome.
Really, the main thing keeping me from rating 'Save Our Forest!' five stars is Bao's forced romance with the stupid bully Abdi. I don't care that he gets better near the end, it is not needed. After all he said and did to her, why would someone like Bao ever think of him in a romantic light? I know they're prepubescent, with new hormones all over the place, but while reading I was under the impression that Bao was smarter than that. Like she wouldn't have a crush on someone who was previously horrible to her and is now doing the bare minimum of decency. It's the 2020s, I'd thought we were aware and were done with the toxic "bullying and abuse means they like you" mentality and message, especially in stories targeted towards kids.
Again, it is not needed. At least Abdi does come round to apologising to Bao for saying it's her time of the month on one of the many instances she is annoyed at him (aaargh! she should have killed that misogynistic little ^%&$!&*! right there), and he eventually joins her on her cause to save their forest from demolition not entirely out of selfish reasons. But Bao's drive to fight against climate change and apathetic adults is enough for her character; enough of a goal for her; enough of a reason for readers to root for her. Leave the clichéd love subplot out of it! It's its own pollution! to the story and characters. And the couple are twelve-years-old!
What heteronormative nonsense.
But oh well. I can't do anything about it.
But everyone can do something about climate change and global warming. If you like 'Cross My Heart and Never Lie' and you care about the environment - and are rightfully scared of pollution and deforestation and their impact on the future generations of our people in this one world we have, that we are neglecting and destroying - then you should read 'Save Our Forest!'. Everyone should.
The art is colourful, lovely and sweet, too, like in 'Cross My Heart'.
My own copy, come to me!
BANNER: 'DO NOT CUT DOWN OUR FOREST! WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP!'
Final Score: 4/5
No comments:
Post a Comment