Team Trash

April 15, 2023
Two young time travelers discover that "Reduce/Reuse/Recycle" isn't exactly a new idea. Involuntarily paired for a Sustainability Science Fair project, Charlie and Oliver--respectively presenting in Wheeler's neatly composed panels as Black and Asian--get off to a ragged start until a classmate's junky-looking device whisks them back in time for a series of eye-opening encounters. First stop: Pompeii, 72 C.E., to watch a mason recycling broken ceramics into filler for wall repair (as a volcano smokes in the background). From there it's on to Edo-period Japan to witness traders bartering and repurposing small used items, 18th-century Philadelphia to see the first paper mill in North America turning linen rags into paper, and other stops where they learn to their dismay that most types of plastics are hard or impossible to recycle but that researchers are developing biodegradable alternatives. Out of their cogent observations come a book ("How did you find the time to do this?" asks an impressed teacher. "Oh, we found LOTS of extra time"), a school club, and, for young eco-activist readers, a flurry of sustainability tips, tools, and talking points, plus another R to add to the first three: "Reach Out!" Figures in both past eras and present scenes are depicted with a range of skin tones; one brown-skinned classmate wears a hijab. Upbeat and optimistic, with some uncomfortable realities to underscore the size of the task ahead. (Graphic nonfiction. 9-12)

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April 17, 2023
Two seemingly mismatched middle schoolers must partner up when tasked with a sustainability-themed assignment in this concise graphic novel debut by Wheeler and Huntington. Studious Charlie, portrayed with brown skin, has little faith that class clown Oliver, an East Asian–cued boy who prefers superheroes to research, will be much help with their project. The two routinely butt heads until they stumble upon a classmate’s project called Time Bot, a clunky object resembling a go-cart. When the duo climb into the machine, they’re mysteriously transported—with a “BWOOP!” and a “POP!”—to 72 CE Pompeii. Before they can travel back home, however, they must gather data surrounding recycling and sustainable practices or risk being stuck in the past forever. Subsequent time jumps to Edo-era Japan, 18th-century Philadelphia, and 19th-century N.Y.C. result in rapid-fire history lessons about resource management and environmental safety systems. While the overall pacing is sometimes choppy, the wide-ranging timeline provides glimpses into sustainability procedures spanning centuries, and the chronological momentum emphasizes the practice’s evolutionary elements and connectivity across cultures. These snack-size history lessons—rendered in eye-catching color and easy-to-follow paneling interspersed with brief instructional guides—employ lightly slapstick humor to deliver digestible informational fare. Ages 10–14.

Starred review from July 1, 2023

Gr 3-6-Charlie is dismayed to be partnered with Oliver for their Sustainability Science Fair. Their teacher insists it must be a team effort, but all Oliver wants to do is doodle. When they meet to work on their project, a classmate's robot transports them back in time to Pompeii in 72 CE, where-thanks to bracelets with translation software-they learn how trash was recycled into building materials for walls. Once they've collected data, TimeBot whisks them to a new destination; on each stop, Charlie takes notes and Oliver sketches, collaborating to create a notebook eventually titled "Pigs, Plastic, and Politics." From Japan in the Edo period to colonial Pennsylvania to England during the Industrial Revolution through more recent events in the U.S. and Italy, the kids learn about the benefits and flaws of various recycling systems and what they can do to help the problem of plastic pollution. Charlie briefly falls into anger and despair, but Oliver helps her through it. No one bats an eye at the kids appearing out of nowhere. Readers will likely encounter new vocabulary, which is explained in text. The layout is easy to follow, with four or five panels on most pages and the occasional notebook page. Charlie has brown skin and dark brown hair in puffs, and Oliver has pale skin and dark hair and eyes. VERDICT This guide presents the scale of the problem of plastic trash as well as the solutions everyone-even kids-can work toward. Its appealing format, relatable characters, fun premise, and informative content make it an excellent choice for all collections.-Jenny Arch

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2023
Grades 4-8 Charlie and Oliver are paired up for a school science project, but they cannot seem to agree on a topic. During class, Oliver goofs around with another student's project and accidentally sends them to the city of Pompeii in the year 72 CE. The time machine alerts them that its battery is running low and needs information on recycling and sustainable practices in order to recharge. Charlie and Oliver spend the story gathering information on sustainability and best recycling practices throughout the ages in order to power up the makeshift machine and get themselves back to the present day. Wheeler and Huntington have done a superb job of presenting these informative concepts and ideas in a sophisticated way while keeping the story entertaining with thoughtful illustrations and insightful storytelling. And the information is abundant: not only do they learn about historical practices but they encounter the effects of the invention of plastics and meet current legislators working on curbing pollution. Informative, empowering, and inspiring for young climate activists.

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