Everything In Its Path

Everything In Its Path by Max Howard is a HI/LO verse novel about the devastation of climate change.

Sixteen year old Noah has lost his home to a tornado and feels the need to do something in response. His younger brother Quinn is obsessed with butterflies and has an interest in their migratory patterns. The brothers decide to take a journey to follow the migration to California and to document it all on social media in an effort to raise awareness of the effects of a rapidly changing climate.

Kudos to the author for raising the alarm on a reality that can no longer be ignored.

Many thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and West 44 Books for this eARC.

The book written in verse is growing on me by leaps and bounds and this one is no exception. What a story! What a time for it to release into this world that needs a hug and reminder that humans, while some are freaking brilliant, are ultimately causing climate change. In our quest to have the best of the best, we are helping ourselves while hurting other creatures.

The relationship of brothers Noah and Quinn is so wonderful. The trip sounded like fun (minus the camping- I am too afraid of the dark and elements to do that!). Quinn's love for the monarchs is admirable and I am inspired to rescue my rose bushes and plant more flowers outside. Isn't that what a great book is supposed to do? Inspire? The answer is yes.

A final note... I really want to try a Cocoon Surprise.

This beautiful novel in verse is going to make its way to my classroom shelves the minute it is published! A sweet and heart-felt story of a boy named Noah whose life changes in less than five minutes, when a tornado hits his town. Worried he has lost his little brother, Noah's life continues to unravel before him as his Mothra (mom) gets sick, and the people around him quickly go back to acting like everything is fine after the tornado. In an attempt to make sense of their lives, and to try to grapple with the climate change Noah is certain caused the tornado, he and Quinn take off to California, where the monarch butterflies stop on their migration. A hopeful but not certain ending is the perfect way for this novel to leave teen readers struggling with upheaval in their lives.

A book so sad that it’s so beautiful?! I would proudly showcase this one!

Read this book in verse out loud to anyone who loves stories and tales of someone young, facing some unexpected challenges and how they struggle to overcome them.

I find the book beautiful inside out. The pages and the writing: everything is so perfect.

It tells the story of a sixteen year old boy, Noah, and his younger brother, Quinn, losing their home to a tornado. They are to migrate to find a home and Noah’s only trusted companion is his brother Quinn who is obsessed with butterflies.

I cried a few times while reading the story. The writing is so beautiful. It’s hopeful. I am happy about it even though my heart got broken. Let’s think and discuss about climate change. This book is such a fascinating read I would say. It made me think about so many things regarding what I can do to lessen the harm done to the environment and how I can support to all the campaigns on climate change.

Keep up the good work, author and the team!

Thank you, West 44 Books, for the advance reading copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, West 44 Books, and Max Howard for the opportunity to read Everything in Its Path in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a HiLo novel-in-verse that explores natural disasters and how they affect people, along with a deeper exploration of a young generation into the effects of climate change. It is Gen Z, the current youth of our country, who will be affected by and exploring solutions to this global issue.

After a tornado causes the distruction of his home and nearly carries away his brother, Noah just wants life to return to normal. But that is certainly a challenge after experiencing a tornado that affects some but not others. His brother, Quinn, saved by the butterfly wings he loves to wear, becomes a national news icon as @TheRealButterfly. With normalcy still out of reach, Noah takes Quinn on a roadtrip to see the monarch butterflies, which migrate to California (among very few other places) during the winter.

The quest is kept secret from their mom, and as they experience wild animals, the beauty of mountains, and the vehemence of snow, they learn a lot about climate change and the power of nature. When they pass one of the oil pipelines, they are even further invested in saving the butterflies and learning about other contributing factors to climate change.

With the drive to see their journey to completion, the two brothers learn how to make a difference in the world.

This is an exceptional novel with a great story and mutiple messages on the human condition. A tride and true recommendation for a middle grade or teen audience.

Everything In Its Path by Max Howard is a HI/LO verse novel about the devastation of climate change.

Sixteen year old Noah has lost his home to a tornado and feels the need to do something in response. His younger brother Quinn is obsessed with butterflies and has an interest in their migratory patterns. The brothers decide to take a journey to follow the migration to California and to document it all on social media in an effort to raise awareness of the effects of a rapidly changing climate.
It tells the story of a sixteen year old boy, Noah, and his younger brother, Quinn, losing their home to a tornado. They are to migrate to find a home and Noah’s only trusted companion is his brother Quinn who is obsessed with butterflies.

Kudos to the author for raising the alarm on a reality that can no longer be ignored.