It’s 2030 and the Climate Crisis has hit the world at full force. New ‘Climate Laws’ have been laid out, completely banning the extraction & burning of fossil fuels and the production of single-use plastics, whilst heavily reducing the consumption of meat and dairy across the globe. World Wilderness Zones were established, acting as safe havens for wildlife - areas of conservation and rewilding. 

The world has finally come together to stop destroying ecosystems and to protect what little is left of the natural world. But, as Rory discovers, all is not as it seems…

Rory’s Mum, an environmental geologist, is bringing her along on a 6 week long work trip to Svalbard in the Arctic. Her Mum has just landed a new job with a sustainable energy company called Greenlight, and is carrying out research on the rare earth materials found in one of the Wilderness Zones in Pyramiden. 

They arrive to find a community of Sami people still living in the abandoned houses, refusing to leave the land they love and care for.

After befriending some of the local children, Rory learns that the island’s Reindeer are dying and that Greenlight are not at all as sustainable as they claim to be…

Beyond The Frozen Horizon is an absolutely beautiful introduction to so many important and relevant topics such as greenwashing, the exploitation of nature, the climate crisis & the importance of indigenous communities. Although quite heavy topics, Penfold incorporates them into the story in an exciting way, making it the perfect adventure read for kids. 

It reminded me a lot of Islands Of Abandonment by Cal Flyn, as if it got written into a fiction book.

I highly recommend this to anyone with little ones in their life - or, if you’re like me and love cosying up with a lighthearted children's book every now and then. I know I’ll be saving this one for if I ever have children of my own.