The Danger of Small Things

Gr 10 Up–A serious dystopian novel that explores women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental responsibility, freedom, love, oppression, power, and the importance of art. The climate emergency has led to the extinction of bees, necessitating manual pollination. Young girls are taken from their homes and forced to live in camps to perform the work until they can bear children; then they are matched to a marriage partner. Jess and her friends feel the weight of oppression and hesitantly dream of freedom. Jess remembers stories of times before when there were plays, books, and schools, and brushes were used for things other than pollinating. A dangerous idea begins to form: could she ignite change, or even a revolution? This story presents a social commentary of current times and considers the ability of art to provoke and inspire change. Abuse of women is a major theme, and some events may be disturbing and triggering. Race is hinted at primarily through hair colors: brown, deep auburn, blue black, and dark. Jess’s skin is mocked for being “too white” and is described as turning red. The author includes a note at the end to provide environmental context and background, as well as share the inspiration she found in her daughter.