My Wounded Island

Gr 1–3—This somber story introduces the effect of climate change on the Iñupiat, Native people inhabiting Sarichef, a small island near the Arctic Circle. Imarvaluk, a young girl born and raised on the island, describes the sea that is slowly "devouring" the land as having been "bewitched by an evil creature." The small wooden houses need to be moved inland from the coast, as it is increasingly engulfed by water. Hunting for their livelihood, hunters can't use their snowmobiles on the pack ice, as it is no longer strong enough to support them. Outsiders studying these effects have come to the island and explained that warmer temperatures are causing glacial melting and rising water. Residents fear Sarichef may vanish completely under the sea. While some families consider moving to the mainland, Imarvaluk's grandfather worries that if the island disappears, so will the traditions and memories of the Iñupiat people. The mixed-media, full-bleed illustrations use a mostly bright palette, which provides some relief from the serious tone of the tale. Scenes of the encroaching water are particularly powerful.