If not us by Mark Smith

Hesse and his widowed mother live in the small Victorian coastal town of Shelbourne. He loves to surf, taking every opportunity to do so, despite his mother’s misgivings after her husband’s disappearance at sea. Towering over the town is the coal mine and smelter, the smoke often noticeable in the fresh sea air, the mine offering work to many of the town’s inhabitants and sealing its place by supporting local clubs and community events.

But some, including Hesse’s mother, Imogen are unhappy with its pollution. And with uncertainty about the future of coal, the mine is not doing as well as it once was, and is up for sale. A group forms to rally against the mine, meeting at Hesse’s place and he becomes involved listening to the talk in his lounge room.
An exchange student from The Netherlands, Fenna, comes to the town, surprised to see a coal mine still in operation.  Fenna sees it all from a European perspective, making Hesse question things he has taken for granted.

With the title, If Not Us, take from a statement by John F.  Kennedy, printed with a statement by activist Greta Thurnberg in the front of the book, the major theme shines through as the political aims of Hesse’s group clash with those of the mine and its supporters. Hesse’s speech at the forum ignites passions, Hesse thrust into the gaze of the world when his speech and its support goes viral. But with the accolades from those supporting Hesse and the action group come the trolls and detractors, one of whom holds Hesse and Fenna in his spotlight before firing a warning shot.

A tightly packed thriller of a read, the story leads itself to a wide range of eager teen readers: those who applaud action taken over climate change, those interested in how opposition groups work, many following the love story between the two main characters, while the presence of the coal mine at Shelbourne parallels the issue holding Australia back from confronting climate change with conviction.  If Not Us is a triumphant look at modern Australia, its prevarication, the fence sitting, the divide between those who think coal has a future and those who question its production. The book focuses on questions about people’s loyalties and convictions, and would be an ideal vehicle to encourage discussion and thought with secondary students and readers.

Smith’s Winter trilogy has similar issues close to its heart, with a group of teens surviving after climate change destroys the life they once knew.

Smith is an able writer for teens, encouraging them to think outside the square, to participate in issues that matter, leading them to question the platitudes of those with power. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Climate change, Activism, Coal power stations, Conservation, Environment.

Fran Knight