Digger: Dig or Die!

by Deborah Cholette Narrated by Griffin Puatu, Shannon Scott

Overview

n this dystopian middle grade novel Digger: Dig or Die!, a climate change disaster forces humanity to search for safety as Earth's atmosphere escapes into space. Narrated by siblings Nick and Lily, the story follows their resourcefulness in aiding neighbors. Nick's digging prowess and Lily's strategic planning become vital as oxygen diminishes. Nick unveils a hidden tunnel connecting houses, forming a lifesaving network as breathable air disappears. Lily crafts a communication system with walkie-talkies and baby monitors to share critical information. A frantic race ensues to complete tunnels before food and oxygen become scarce; it's a tense battle for survival in a world teetering on the edge of extinction.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The fast-paced story includes social-issue themes, including bullying, mental health, and gun violence. Ortu’s crisp illustrations individuate Cholette’s diverse cast of characters and enhance her storytelling. Young readers will find this a (pun intended) breathtaking, page-turning read."—starred, Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

2024-12-24
In Cholette’s middle-grade novel, young siblings form a plan to help neighbors during a climatological disaster.

Nick and his younger sister Lily may not know exactly what the magnetosphere is, but they learn that a large crack in it has devastating consequences: Earth’s atmosphere is leaking into space, gradually dropping the level of breathable air (this level is eventually called “the Red-Line”). The people in the kids’ neighborhood primarily react by sequestering in their basements and worrying about having enough water and food. With the Internet and cell phones no longer working, Lily communicates with her best friends Amy and Maya via walkie-talkies; this gives her an idea for disseminating updates on neighbors and Red-Line news coverage. Meanwhile, Nick has already dug a tunnel to the nearby ravine, employing a skill he picked from his estranged father, a backhoe operator. He and friends dig tunnels and trenches around the neighborhood to expedite sharing resources, bathrooms, and basements, but one villainous neighbor would rather just take what he wants, no matter who he hurts. The cast of Cholette’s tale shines. Nick and Lily model selflessness; nearly everything they do involves helping others, even when this puts them in danger. They’re also conflicted over their dad apparently abandoning them (he never returned from a New York construction project). That’s one mystery that lingers for a time, along with the reason behind Nick’s ex-pal Noah severing their friendship. The author fills the pages with such fun, fresh slang as “crouch-running” and “Red-Lining,” a practice in which characters somehow “surf” the Red-Line. This short, concisely written novel, aptly depicting a worldwide catastrophe through the lens of one small neighborhood, ends on a satisfying and convincing note. Ortu’s crisp, comic-book style illustrations feel immersive as they wrap around the text, cover multiple pages, or show above- and underground perspectives simultaneously.

Engaging adolescent heroes propel this streamlined, riveting eco-fiction.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191172019
Publisher:	One Elm Books, an imprint of Red Chair Press
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Videos