Climate change is a hot topic but it was the story of Bea adjusting to her new school that appealed to my daughter most. Having moved several times, she was able to relate to Bea's experiences. Looking at how our similarities are more important than our differences, it's a warm story about an unlikely friendship. Nicely written and engaging.

When I first read the blurb for Melt I was intrigued as to whether this would be a coming-of-age adventure-type story or a climate change-centred plot. After reading, I can confirm it was both but also neither. Whilst both themes are prevalent in the main plot what took centre-stage for me was the idea of friendship and difference between the main characters and the strive for independence that they both have.

Melt focuses on the initially parallel narratives of Bea and Yutu. Bea is constantly on the move thanks to her father's job. She moves from house to house, attempting to make new friendships in school but always on the edge of anything meaningful. Yutu, lives with his grandmother in a remote Arctic Circle village. He is one of few young people in his village, desperate to hunt the land just as his ancestors did but continuously aware of the hardships that his village faces due to climate change and the melting ice around them.

Bea loves flying with her dad as he visits different places for work. When their latest trip together begins with her dad finding himself in a perilous situation, Bea has to fend for herself - lost in the snowy Arctic she has always longed to explore. Meanwhile, Yutu, also seeking adventure, finds himself stranded in a snowstorm with no hope of returning home...

When Yutu and Bea's paths cross their friendship is instant. Both are thrill-seekers, both want independence, but both ultimately are also strongly connected to their families that they are desperate to find. With the help of each other they embark on an adventure, desperate to return to the people they love.

As their adventure develops so does their relationship and the brilliant backdrop of the snowy landscape they find themselves lost in serves to increase their instantaneous bond, provide moments of danger but also moments of the independence they both crave.

Melt is a brilliant story of friendship, family and adventure. Perfect for middle-grade readers.

Having read and been gripped by Ele Fountain’s prize winning novel, ‘Boy 87’, I was keen to read ‘Melt’. I was not disappointed! From page 2 I was riveted! Fountain’s ability to create excellent plot and set it in a location and community unknown to the reader is really unique – we learn so much in this book about Inuit village life, past and present, as well as the threats posed to the landscape – and the people and animals who have always lived in them – of the arctic circle – yet never feel preached at, or as if the desire to educate overtakes the powerful story.

Instead, we are quickly drawn into the worlds of both Bea and Yutu, one struggling with loneliness and battling with the disruption of constantly having to move from one country to another because of the transient nature of her father’s job as a geological expert advising oil companies, the other fighting for greater freedom as he grows up cared for by his traditionally minded and strongly protective grandmother in a village on the edge of the expanse of icey landscape north of Alaska being increasingly affected by climate change. The two teenagers’ worlds collide when Bea’s dad takes her on a work trip north, but things rapidly spiral out of control and Bea finds herself alone and in need of shelter, and she unwittingly comes to Yutu's aid...

Fountain writes simply yet compellingly, rendering this a real page turner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it!

Interesting story but I couldn't get into it....bit I guess I'm not the intended audience! However, the message in the book is important and it will find that audience!

I had high expectations for this book, written by the author of Boy 87 and Lost. I thoroughly enjoyed both books so I was thrilled to be able to get a copy from NetGalley.

The story is set in the Arctic Circle and covers the impact of global warming. It gives an insight into the effect it has on the lives of indigenous people and the threat of them losing their heritage.

The parallel narratives at the beginning of the book show how very different their lives are. Bea is always on the move. Her father works as a geologist for a large, powerful oil company. She is at the point where she doesn’t try making friends at new schools anymore, as she won’t be there long enough for it to count; her father’s job will soon take them somewhere else. Bea watches as her father changes; he is becoming secretive and she doesn’t know why. When she accompanies him on a work trip, things take a turn for the worst.

Yutu lives with his elderly grandmother, Miki, in a remote village. Every year, the ice is melting faster and this impacts on their traditional ways and the food which they eat. He is determined to show his grandmother that he has grown and is able to go and do the things his ancestors did – hunting in the wilderness. Unable to take the dogs and sleigh, he borrows his friend’s snowmobile to go hunting.

As the story develops, Bea and Yutu are thrown together in dramatic circumstances. They face a frantic battle for survival in the snowy wilderness.

Ele Fountain, once again, provides excellent descriptive writing, which brings the Arctic Tundra to life. A brilliant book which shows that changes need to be made in order for the world to survive.

I started ‘Melt’ wondering if it would be a gentle story of friendship like (the about-to-be-published but also with an important environmental message) ‘The Last Bear’ but what I found was a gripping story of belonging, survival and betrayal.

Melt follows two protagonists: Yutu and Bea. While Yutu lives in the tundra with his grandmother and their home is at threat from the ever-melting ice caps, Bea is struggling to find her place as she constantly moves around due to her father’s job. While every other chapter is from their perspective, Melt really kicks into gear when a shocking event unexpectedly brings them together and the story continues from just one viewpoint. Without spoiling the book, it then becomes a thriller but with an important message about our natural world and how it isn’t too late to save it.

I really enjoyed Melt. As well as showing the importance of conservation, I can see the friendship between Yutu and Bea would resonate with so many young people who are struggling to find their place in the world. I definitely want to read more from Ele Fountain.

Suggested reading age: 8+

Ele Fountain is a fantastic writer for young ( and older) Her two previous books - Boy 87 and Lost- were gripping reads , tackling complex and challenging issues in an accessible way for readers of 10 + As someone who works with primary teachers and readers , it is always good to recommend new books and Melt will be added to this list. Like the previous Ele Fountain books, this is a great read exploring the issue and impact of mining within the Arctic circle and the impact of global warming on a northern hemisphere town. The two main characters are believable and tackle all sorts of difficulties ranging from school bullying , Arctic wildlife and changing lifestyles. This is a great book for year six teachers and learners looking at life in extreme climates, the wildlife, climate change and how survival skills are essential. This is another winner and should further the widen of readership of Ele Fountain’s novels. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I always enjoy Ele’s books (you can read my reviews of Boy 87 and Lost here and here.) I’m always impressed with her ability to pack so much into such relatively short adventures (surely she’s got to do Barrington Stoke at some point??)

Quick reads they may be but the characters have depth, the settings are immersive and the plots are full of tension and heart-stopping moments. Melt was no exception.

And like her other books, there’s an environmental awareness and a touch of social commentary running through it, as we come face to face with eroded traditions and dying ways of life, melting ice caps and vanishing animals, and unscrupulous companies with greed at their heart.

As ever though, these are brilliantly threaded through the story – they enhance and give roots to the adventure rather than eclipsing it. As do the themes of friendship, family and learning from other times, places and people that we see explored too.

Set in the Arctic Circle and told from the dual narratives of Bea and Yutu, who find themselves unexpectedly thrown together to brave both elements and enemies, this is a thrilling story of survival.

Yutu lives with his grandma in a remote Arctic village. He’s desperate to follow in family tradition and hunt so sneaks away one weekend to prove himself capable. But the ice has been melting faster than he knew and with a sudden blizzard on the way, he finds himself in trouble…

Bea meanwhile lives in a busy town but has few friends thanks to always being on the move with her dad’s job. She joins her dad, who is a geologist for a big oil company, on a work trip to the area near Yutu’s home but when they arrive things are not quite what they seem and danger is waiting…

And so Bea and Yutu find themselves helping each other, on the run in perilous conditions.

I loved the way Bea and Yutu helped each other, learned from each other, gave each other confidence and courage and ultimately, of course, became friends. But I think Yutu’s grandmother, Miki, was my favourite character. And on both sides, it was nice to see present, supportive adults around.

The Arctic setting is stunningly portrayed, it is beautiful but equally unforgiving and the cold settled into my bones as I read. It was the perfect setting for this tense, fast-paced and thought-provoking thriller.

Melt is a thrilling adventure set in the Arctic.

A little slow to get going, but, once you are in, you a taking on a daunting but beautiful journey with Yutu and Bea. With mysteries to solve and elements to overcome, the book piques your interest, and the ‘will they, won’t they’, moments keep you on the edge of your seat.

The main plot is layered over the background of climate change, animals losing their habitats, people losing their homes and heritage, as well as an insight into the oil industry and the negative effects on the environment from that. It introduces the subjects and constructs a thinking point quietly, but effectively, in the surroundings and circumstances of the main plot.

A wonderful read that is both exciting and thought provoking! Thoroughly enjoyed.

WOw! Melt is a fabulously fast-paced, gripping and thought-provoking read, full of adventure, plot twists and mystery. I kept finding myself holding my breath as I read. This is a brilliant story of loyalty and friendship, but also one with a poignant and vitally important message. Having devoured her previous two books, I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. The plots of her books are so different, but what is true of all of her books is that they are brilliantly constructed plots, well written and have characters that the reader immediately identifies with. Just superb. Thanks you for a wonderful read.

An unconventional and thoroughly enjoyable thriller, a great book for fans of Fleur Hitchcock, Lauren St John as mad Hatchett.

Yutu lives in the Arctic with his grandmother. Their traditional way of life is being eroded as the sea ice melts earlier each spring and the melting permafrost puts long established buildings in jeopardy.

Bea moves around because of her father’s job as an oil geologist. Settling in yet another new town, she finds it hard to make friends. All she really wants to do is go exploring with her dad. When he offers to take her on a work trip to the Arctic, she jumps at the chance, but things don’t go according to plan.

When Bea and Yutu meet, they are faced with a battle to survive.

This is a great adventure story, set in the harsh but beautiful Arctic landscape. Climate change plays a part in the story but would form part of a background discussion rather than being hammered home in the story. The main characters are both likeable and believable and I was cheering them on all the way.

The ending seemed a little rushed but I understand that the main part of the story was the adventure journey.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Traditional ways are being eroded just as much as the land in a remote community in the Arctic. It’s people are strongly linked to the land & the sea but as the ice melts & the waters rise, they are threatened like never before. Two children from different backgrounds are united by the need to survive and a determination to seek the truth. They are thrown together by coincidence but show the hope that a younger generation can give.

This is an important story that under the adventure elements is riddled with truths and the optimism that we, as a civilisation can change our ways. Shine a light on an important topic, in a manner that grabs attention, and it can have a major impact with younger readers and Fountain does this exceptionally well. Having been moved by Boy 87, I was really looking forward to reading Melt and I wasn’t disappointed. It was glorious in a way that was entertaining but alarming when you consider the plight of rural communities. Hopefully this is something that will make the target audience, pause, think and learn.