Cli-Fi With Hope, Teens & Tweens
Writers working in climate fiction and other genres that can weave in dark themes—such as romantic comedies, crime dramas, legal dramas, children's books, or science fiction—face the challenge of crafting compelling stories without sugarcoating the truth. It is not necessary to steer away from doom and gloom entirely. In eco fiction and climate narratives, for example, protagonists may be depicted as anxious about climate issues but also inspired to act. This balance allows the story to remain honest while motivating readers.
The Impact of Story Tone on Readers
Fiction that leans heavily into doom and gloom tends to elicit negative emotions from readers, such as anger, helplessness, shame, and sadness. These darker stories often leave readers feeling passive, uncertain about their ability to make a difference, and thinking, “I have no idea what I can do.” On the other hand, stories that focus on solutions are more likely to inspire action and engagement, helping readers feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Techniques to Empower and Inspire Young Readers
Writers can utilize a variety of techniques to inspire young people to feel empowered and motivated to act, even when addressing dark or challenging themes.
Humor
Incorporating humor into troubling situations can lighten the mood and make stories more engaging. For example, Carl Hiaasen uses humor in difficult circumstances in his novel “Chomp”: “The first rule of hurricane coverage is that every broadcast must begin with palm trees bending in the wind.” Another comedic moment from the same book is when Mickey Cray has been unemployed ever since a dead iguana fell from a palm tree and struck him on the head.
Similarly, “Fried Green Tomatoes” by Fannie Flag offers humorous moments centered around quirky characters and unexpected situations. A memorable example is Idgie putting poker chips into the church collection basket just to get a laugh, as well as the characters’ lighthearted reactions to serious events.
“One Small Hop” by Madelyn Rosenburg blends humor with story twists, while Tony Hawks’s “Round Ireland with A Fridge” includes the witty line: “It is surely a brave man who goes ahead and checks into an establishment where the first question is 'Where's your fridge?'” Wren James’s “The Loneliest Girl in the Universe” provides another humorous observation: “Things on Earth I want to experience most: Quicksand – how often do you usually get stuck in this stuff? A few times a month? It seems to happen all the time in films!”
Setting
A vivid setting, whether local or global, can draw readers deeply into the character’s world. For example, in Claire Datnow’s “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” the setting is described as follows: “The town of Nahoon, on Chichagof Island, 30 miles from Juneau, Alaska: It is late spring on Chichagof Island, and the air and water are warming. The bears have woken from their long sleep. All eyes are on the horizon for the ocean’s grateful giants, the gray whales.” Such descriptions immerse readers in the environment and heighten their engagement with the narrative.
Empathy
Empathy plays a crucial role in connecting readers to the characters and their experiences. In “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” as highlighted by marine biologist Dr. Margaret Amsler, three diverse teens from around the world share not only an uncommon Dr. Doolittle-like connection with wild animals but were also trapped in devastating wildfires. The heroes in these vignettes include a Sumatran orangutan, an Australian black-footed wallaby, a broad-winged hawk, and a peregrine falcon. This focus on empathy encourages readers to identify with the characters and feel invested in their journeys.
Joy
Introducing joyful moments, even amidst dire situations, can uplift both the protagonist and the reader. For instance, in “Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure,” the first book in a climate fiction trilogy, a reviewer observed that the author explores pressing environmental issues but does not leave out moments of joy and delight. These positive moments provide hope and balance within the narrative.
Positive Protagonists
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, in “What If We Get It Right: Visions of Climate Futures,” offers a framework for weaving joy into narratives using the overlapping circles of a Venn Diagram:
· What are your characters good at or what special gifts do they have?
· What work needs to be done?
· What brings your characters joy?
By focusing on these aspects, writers can create protagonists who are not only believable but also inspiring.
Special Gifts
In “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” three teenagers use their unique gift—the ability to communicate with animals—to help save them. In turn, these animals save the teens from certain death during a race to outrun roaring flames. Aisyah, a compassionate free spirit from Sumatra, bonds with Pongo, an endangered orangutan. Kirri, a competitive marathon runner from Australia, bonds with Rocky, an endangered Rock wallaby. Hector, a headstrong and gifted falconer from California, bonds with Swain, a magnificent Swainson’s hawk. After recovering from burns, the teens embrace a new challenge: caring for animals injured in the fires, combining their talents with what brings them joy.
Conclusion
Although dark themes are present, these techniques can lift the mood of stories and inspire hope, demonstrating to readers—especially young ones—that positive action is possible.
Science and Storytelling
Interview with Writer Claire Datnow
“My books open the hearts and minds of young people and inspire a love for the natural world and diverse cultures.” 
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This month’s Breezer Making Waves is Claire Datnow, author of The Adventures of The Sizzling Six Series!
Let’s dig into how Claire interweaves science and storytelling to encourage readers to become good stewards of the Earth.
Hi Claire. What are we celebrating with you?
The publication of two new books in The Adventures of The Sizzling Six Series, by Star Bright Books.
Congratulations! What does this opportunity mean to you?
This opportunity provides an outstanding way to promote my books that open the hearts and minds of young people and inspire a love for the natural world and diverse cultures.
What do you feel led you to this place on your journey?
I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, which ignited my love for the natural world and diverse cultures. After earning an MA in Education for Gifted and Talented and a second MA in Public History, I taught creative writing and environmental studies in the Birmingham, Alabama, public schools. Together with my students, I created a nature trail, now named the Alabama Audubon-Datnow Nature Preserve. My students inspired me to begin writing environmental fiction with themes of mystery, adventure, and environmental action. I interweave science and storytelling, STEAM, to encourage readers to become wise and just stewards of the Earth. My eco mysteries are set in my home state of Alabama and across the globe and feature endangered species.
Do you have any advice for Breezers who want to achieve something similar?
Writers can learn the art and craft of how to apply the building blocks of compelling science-based stories that will resonate with tweens and teens and correlate with state standards across the curriculum.
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