Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd

Laura Brown, a teen age girl in London during the decade of the 2010's, chronicles the year of England's experiment with carbon rationing.  Unfortunately for Laura and her friends, the rationing is not phased in but rather a major jump all at once making the learning curve steep and difficult.  No one is truly prepared for the changes that occur as rationing and the ripple effects progress through the early months of hte year. 

Laura's family does not cope well during 2015 but in her neighborhood, this does not appear to be unusual.  Several families struggle to survive as carbon rationing leads to other forms of rationing, food shortages and a host of other problems.   One of Laura's favorite forms of relaxing, playing in the band she has with her friends, costs so many carbon credits that they can't practice as often as they used to which adds to her stress.  But life goes on.  

Lest one think Saci Lloyd has written a completely depressing and negative story about 2015, there are funny stories, and high points to Laura's life during the year.  Boys come and go, school goes on albeit in different ways, concerts are still an option and life still includes parents, teachers, friends and sisters.  

This novel provides an insightful look into the possible reality we all may face in the future.  The only thing worse is that it is a youth that is facing this new future.   Reading this novel can certainly shed light on how we can prepare for what might be coming.  And it is a good read over all. 

Ms. Lloyd has definitely written an intriging and thought provoking book.

Age range: 12 to 16 years old

Lloyd, S. (2009). The carbon diaries 2015 . New York: Holiday House.