Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Polar opposites fight for survival in gripping story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As GLOBAL opens, Sami and Yuki are experiencing global warming from two very different perspectives. Sami lives in the Indian Ocean, fishing with his grandfather. Yuki resides in the Canadian North, seeking information about a grizzly/polar bear hybrid. Over the course of the book, each will face extreme danger from extreme weather and other threats caused by humans.
Is It Any Good?
It's sometimes difficult to dramatize climate change, but this compelling saga of survival makes it impossible to ignore. With the creative team of Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, and Giovanni Rigano working at the top of their abilities, Global is suspenseful, beautiful, and heartbreaking, foreshadowing some of the tasks that await their readers as the world heats up. Polar bear attacks and glacier melt are only two of the deadly dangers they face. Yuki and Sumi are heroes for the 21st century, and Global is a winner from Page 1.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Global tells two stories simultaneously. How do the differing perspectives of Sami and Yuki blend into a unique whole?
Why are graphic novels popular? How are they able to use techniques not available to prose-only books?
What are some positives in the growing efforts to halt global warming? What gives you hope about the future?
Book Details
- Author: Andrew Donkin
- Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , Ocean Creatures , Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Courage , Curiosity , Humility
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Sourcebooks for Young Readers
- Publication date: April 11, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 16
- Number of pages: 144
- Available on: Paperback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 27, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Read Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate