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.
Honest Book Reviews
Tips on How to Get and to Give Honest Book Reviews.
How to add a review on Amazon.
* Go to the title of the book, underneath the book cover you will see the Read Sample, which allows you to preview the first few pages of the book you are interested in.
* When the selected page opens, click on the star rating underneath the title and author on the page, then click on ‘See all customer reviews’
* The page will scroll down to the customer reviews, and you can click on ‘Add a Customer Review’ at the left side underneath the star ratings. Here you can add your own star rating, your review and title
How to review a book on Goodreads:
- To add a review, search for the book in the toolbar at the top of the page.
- Select the book and add the star rating under the book image on the left-hand side. Then click on ‘Write a review’. A new page will open, allowing you to add the book to your personal shelf’ or to tag the book for your own collections.
- You can add your review in the main text box, add the dates you read the book and any private notes you want to include for yourself.
- How to review a book on Barnes and Noble:
- Search for your book in the search bar at the top of the Barnes and Noble page.
- Select your book and then select ‘Write a review’ under the title and author of the book.
- A new window will then appear, where you will have the option to add a rating, title, your review text, photos, whether you would recommend the book to a friend and your details.
- If you review my books thank you so much and a huge thank you for spreading the word!
- Let me know if you would be interested in having me review your work.
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.” 
View all The Books
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.
More Teacher Resources
Weaving Joy into Climate and Dark fiction.
In climate fiction or any genres that explores darker themes, how can writers weave a compelling story without sugar coating the truth? Here are some powerful techniques:
Humor: Sprinkle humorous moments into the story. Carl Hiaasen inserts humor into troubling situations. For example:
The first rule of hurricane coverage is that every broadcast must begin with palm trees bending in the wind.”
― Carl Hiaasen
“Mickey Cray had been out of work ever since a dead iguana fell from a palm tree and hit him on the head.”
― Carl Hiaasen, Chomp
In climate fiction or other genres, how can writers weave a compelling story about climate change without sugar coating the truth? Here are some techniques:
The setting: The setting can be local or across the global. Describe the setting that pulls readers into the character’s’’ world. For example: “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 eye are on the horizon for the oceans grateful giants, the gray whales.” The Gray Whale’s Lament by Claire Datnow
.
In a review by Maragaret Amsler she highlights the setting of The Gray Whale’s Lament:
“First the reader travels to Sumatra, Indonesia and meets talented Aishya who has a special bond with a rescued orangutan Next Datnow takes the reader to western Australia where marathon runner Kirri has a similar special bond with a wallaby. The third vignette focuses on Californian Hector and an injured Swainson’s hawk he is dedicated to rehabilitating. These diverse teens share not only an uncommon Dr. Doolittle-like relationship with their rescued wild animal, but each teen also becomes trapped in a devastating wildfire. The hero in the vignettes are the orangutan, wallaby and the hawk – each leading the grievously injured teen to safety.
Joy: Introduce joyful moments, despite dire situations looming over the protagonist.
“Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure,” the first book in my Climate Fiction trilogy, a reviewer wrote, “With inspiring breadth and creativity the author explores pressing environmental issues . . . but doesn’t leave out moments of joy and delight. — Professor Sue Brannon Walker, selected to Alabama Writers Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
In “What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures,” Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson puts forward other ways to weave joy into your narratives, which she illustrates with the overlapping circles of a Venn Diagram:
1) What are your characters good at/special gift?
2) what work needs to be done?
3) And what brings your characters joy?
Special Gifts: In the “The Gray Whale’s Lament,” Book two of the trilogy, three teenagers use their powerful gift—the ability to communicate with animals—to save them. In turn, their animals save them from certain death during a race to outrun the flames roaring toward them. 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. And then there’s Hector, a headstrong and gifted falconer from California, who bonds with Swain, a magnificent Swainson’s hawk. After their painful recovery from burns, the teens in return take on a new challenge, caring for animals injured in the fires (what they are good at and what brings them joy).
Despite dark themes, these techniques will lift your storie’s mood and inspire hope that positive action is possible.
Cli-Fi Eco Adventures Middle Grade
I’m sharing events I plan to attend, some past events, and freebies that you may be interested in. But first a teaser: Do you know the meaning of the words Phenology and Biomimicry? Look for the answer below:
Claire chatting with a Black Vulture
- Upcoming events:
- Are you planning to attend the Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, in Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29. Decatur, Georgia, Library? If so, please email me so we can make plans to meet at the conference. Also I would love you to visit me at the Book Launch for my newest books in The Adventures of the Sizzling Six series.
Free materials;
I recently presented a workshop, ‘Drawn from Nature,” at the Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville. Free materials: Let me know if you are interested in receiving an outline. In addition, you are interested in receiving an outline of my presentation “Preserving The Rich Bio Diversity of the Southern States,” please email me.
World Migratory Bird Day2025 is just around the corner! World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 10th in 2025). If you are interested in participating in this event please let me know!
April Earth Month: for Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
- Alabama Writers Cooperative: The AWC Annual Conference. September 12-14, 2025 ORANGE BEACH, AL. Registration and schedule information coming soon. Be on the look out: Visit: https://alabamawriterscooperative.org/
- Phenology and Biomimicry
Answer: “Phenology is the study of the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world, particularly those related to the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things.” USA National Phenology Network
Answer: “Biomimicry, or biomimetics, is the practice of learning from and emulating nature's designs and strategies to solve human problems and create sustainable solutions.” The Biomimicry Institute
https://biomimicry.org › Get Inspired
Field Workshop
At the Conference: I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives.
- Congratulations! Alabama Writers Cooperative is honored to announce that they will be the first recipient of the Jeanie Thompson Champion of The Literary Art Award, presented by the Alabama Writer’s Forum. I am so look forward to attending the Gala March 11. As a long time member on the board this was special to me.
Claire & Big with Dr. Gillstrap
Words to Add to Our Vocabulary: Phenology and Biomimicry.
I recently attended the awesome! Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Guntersville State Park. There I participated in fascinating workshops that bring these terms to life. Coincidentally, I am working on the third book in The Four Elements Trilogy, which includes species like the green anole, a lizard, that scientists and engineers have applied to create the latest technology—for example the bullet train and adhesives. Here are a few events to attend:
Here are a few events to attend:
April is Earth Month. Events you can attend visit Bham Now: https://bhamnow.com/2018/04/03/earth-month/?amp Three of Birmingham’s leading nature education organizations, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are holding Spring Plant Sales on consecutive weekends in April. Both events raise monies for important nature education programs.
Writer Events: If you are a writer, an environmental educator or love to explore the nature, here are a few Up Coming Events:
For Writers and Nature Lovers.
- Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29. Decatur, Georgia, Library. And Book Launch for my newest books in The Adventures of the Sizzling Six series.
Past events
- Alabama Writers Cooperative: The AWC Annual Conference. September 12-14, 2025 ORANGE BEACH, AL. Registration and schedule information coming soon. Be on the look out!
- Congratulations! Alabama Writers Cooperative is honored to announce that they will be the first recipient of the Jeanie Thompson Champion of The Literary Art Award, presented by the Alabama Writer’s Forum. I am so look forward to attending the Gala March 11.
https://alabamawritingworkshop.com/
My Book Launches:
- Southern Breeze Spring Mingle, Decatur, Georgia, March 25-29.
For More Fun Photos Visit: medicament.net