POISON TOWN

Fourteen-year-old Addie is on a mission to raise awareness about pollution in her small town in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.

When Addie Woods and Priya Gill get paired for a science project, neither of them wants to work together. But their teacher forces them to collaborate despite their mutual animosity, and the girls ultimately find common ground in investigating the pollution coming from the smelter that their town’s economy is built on. Both their dads work there monitoring emissions, and Priya trusts the advanced technology is making things safe, while Addie is concerned about the amounts of lead and sulfur dioxide still being emitted. The pair agree to test their conflicting hypotheses, and they find evidence that the pollution from the smelter is indeed harming the local people, flora, and fauna. For Addie, this is no longer just a science project: It’s an important turning point in her activism. As the girls work together, they come to see beyond their earlier impressions of one another. Inspired by the author’s own experiences, this original exploration of the impact of environmental pollution is a quick and accessible read, with consistent, smooth pacing and solid characterization. While some adults seem to change their attitudes unrealistically quickly, this does serve to emphasize the efficacy of the young people’s activism. Indian Canadian Priya and her family live in an otherwise white town.

An absorbing story of grassroots environmental activism by teens.