Global: a graphic novel adventure about hope in the face of climate change

In 'Global' climate change impelled the rites of passage of a boy and a girl who lived in different locations on Earth, each of whom underwent an odyssey of discovery of his/her changing 'self' needed to adapt to the changing threats and opportunities posed by human and nonhuman 'others' in Nature. Unlike the non-fatal types of 'traditional' rites of passage undergone by children in cultures across the world since ancient times, the future of humanity in the forms of these two children underwent potentially fatal rites of passage, that began from a home on dry land; involved hazardous journeys through an aquatic other-world; and ended with an exhilarating return home with knowledge that benefited the communities of human and nonhuman beings in which he/she lived. 'Global' made its child and adult readers aware of the need to no longer remain in the theoretical other-world of disembodying ideas that were ignored by the nonhuman aspect of Nature; but instead positively respond to the apocalyptic effects of climate change, by using new ideas to participate in the practical world of embodied actions with 'other' human and nonhuman beings in Nature.

The collaborative team of Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanno Rigano really delivered something special with "Illegal", jettisoning the typical caped crusaders of comic book fare for heroism of a different kind. The multi-award-winning best-seller was a hard one to top. Yet that's exactly what the trio have achieved with this compelling and epic tale of two children at different points on the globe who face the harsh realities of global warming. It's told through their point of view in a convincing way - yet at no point does it feel agenda driven or overtly political. It's an appeal for common sense from the next generation we put at risk while their elders often pontificate. Whether it's Yuki and her dog stalked by a hungry Grolar bear in the arctic wilderness or Sami living (just) with the devastation of their environment in the Bay of Bengal on the Indian Ocean - both must rise to the challenges they face. This is a gripping journey for both that's expertly paced, exciting, poignant and beautifully rendered. I was completely swept away while reading it. This is powerful storytelling and a classic in the making.

Lovely artwork. Was expecting a 'classic' timeless' story but instead got a fable that could have been could been so much better. Sad and a missed opportunity.

GLOBAL is another excellent graphic novel from the talented team of Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano, who gave us the heart-rending refugee story, ILLEGAL, a few years ago.This time the focus is on the climate crisis. The story is from the points of view of two children - Sami who lives in the Bay of Bengal and Yuki who is living in Northern Canada, both areas where climate change is already having an impact. Sami lives a hard-scrabble life with his grandfather in a fishing village where the fish are hard to find and the storms keep coming in. Yuki goes onto the ice in search of a grizzly / polar bear cross, a 'grolar'.Colfer and Donkin are hugely experienced writers, who tell both stories excitingly and clearly. Rigano's art is lovely as well as serving the story well, beautifully depicting the diverse landscapes and handling the action scenes with aplomb.I would recommend it to all children and YA, especially those who are wanting to know about the crisis unfolding around them.

My 10-year old pounced on this when it was delivered - she absolutely loves graphic novels at the moment. For the next two days whenever you saw her she was reading this book, she was completely absorbed in it - which is a high recommendation. The only thing that annoyed her is that she feels it ends on a cliff-hanger and she demanded that I get the next book in the series. As far as I know this is a standalone graphic novel and there is no sequel - she was not best pleased.So, I eventually got to read it. I was not quite as enthralled with it as my daughter was - but I do not feel I am the target audience. There are two stories taking place at the same time - In the Arctic Yuki and her dog are being stalked by a hungry Grolar bear; On the other side of the world in the Bay of Bengal, Sami and his Grandpa struggle to catch anything on their fishing boat.It is a story that focusses on how two different children in very different parts of the world are being affected by climate change and I think it makes for quite a powerful read. Having read to the end, I can understand why my 10-year old thinks there should be a sequel but I think it is a standalone and the ending was a slightly clumsy way of trying to connect the two stories.At the end of the book there are 4 pages which explain in more detail what Global heating is and some of the drastic consequences that are happening because of it.Overall - 5 stars from my 10-year old, who loved it, 4 stars from me.