Life in 2043 in Wendouree, Victoria does not provide many light-hearted moments and the decision to send Xavier to Melbourne to boarding school, is definitely adding to his feeling of doom.
The welcoming sign at St Anthony’s, ‘Your Future is Assured’, could not be further from the truth when it comes to Alex and his home.
Xavier and his parents live in a farmhouse that has been passed down through the generations. His family and others in the isolated town, have been forced to move out by politicians, so that all the trees around them can be bulldozed as a way to help prevent the constant threat of bushfires.
Xavier arrives at boarding school only to discover his very opinionated neighbour, Charlotte, is in his class, and despite instantly making a good friend with his new room mate Ted’ki, Xavier is not liking the prospect of spending school days in Charlotte’s company.
But when both Xavier and Charlotte discover that their houses, as well as the trees, are about to be bulldozed, they need to decide if the adult attitude, ‘It is what is’, is a satisfactory response to such a catastrophic situation. They soon decide, with the help of Ted’ki, that escaping school, and hopefully the law, they can return to their town and fight for their properties.
In an adventure laced with humour, and in a world of climate refugees, AI enhanced memories and jobs performed by robotics, the reader can get a glimpse of a world that could one day be our reality. Central to the story is the effect of climate change and how short-sighted decisions made now can and will impact greatly on our environmental future.
This middle grade story would make an interesting and thought provoking novel study in classrooms or suggested read for book clubs. There are many and varied elements that would inspire some great discussions.
Throughout the story Alex strives to empower young people with knowledge, encourage them to act now and strive to have their voices heard. An attitude of ‘It is what is,’ can be changed to ‘It is what you make it’! Be the change - with hope in your heart and laughter in your lungs.
Title: The Apocalypse and Other Mild Inconveniences
Author: Alex Dyson
Publisher: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing , $19.99
Publication Date: 28 April 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761210235
For ages: 9 - 14
Type: Middle Grade Fiction