book cover

Global

by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9 to 11

Published by Hodder, 2023

  • Graphic novels

About this book

Climate change aren’t limited to one country or region, and it’s today’s children that will be one of the generations that have to live with its devastating effects. Many children already are.

In this stunning graphic novel – by the same author and illustrator team as Illegal, which told the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy fleeing grinding poverty in his small village in Africa and travelling to Europe as an illegal immigrant – we see two different stories belonging to two different children. Both are at the mercy of climate change.

In the arctic wilderness, Yuki and her dog are being stalked by a hungry grolar bear; a cross between a grizzly and a polar bear, whose territories have collided.

Sami’s home has been swept away in a cyclone. Now, he and his grandpa struggle to catch anything on their fishing trips. If he can find his mother’s lucky knife, submerged in the treacherous ocean, perhaps he can change their fate?

Illustrated throughout in blues and greens, Rigano represents land and sea with sensitivity and artistry, and the story itself moves quickly, meaning that there’s never a dull moment in this gripping read – and certainly never a page without remarkable beauty. Global will fascinate young readers with its topical theme, but also the relatable stories of young people just like them. Excellent.

About the author

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!

After leaving school he got his degree from Dublin university and qualified as a primary school teacher, returning to work in Wexford. He married in 1991 and he and his wife spent about four years between 1992 and 1996 working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in 1998, based on his experiences in Tunisia; it has since been translated into many languages. Then in 2001 the first Artemis Fowl book was published and he was able to resign from teaching and concentrate fully on writing.

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