DIGGER: DIG OR DIE! Launches in Time for Earth Day 2025
April 2025 – This spring, acclaimed author Deborah Cholette will debut her highly anticipated middle-grade novel Digger: Dig or Die! just in time for Earth Day events. Set in a chilling future where Earth’s atmosphere is leaking into space, Digger: Dig or Die! offers a thrilling, dystopian adventure inspired by real-world climate science, engaging young readers in the urgent conversation about our planet’s future. Published by One Elm Books, an imprint of Red Chair Press.
In Digger: Dig or Die!, humanity is on the brink of collapse. The Earth’s atmosphere, vulnerable to the harsh forces of solar particles, has begun to leak away into space, leading to dwindling oxygen supplies. As breathable air becomes scarcer, siblings Nick and Lily must navigate a world where survival means using every ounce of creativity and resourcefulness. Nick’s exceptional digging skills and Lily’s strategic planning become crucial in a frantic race to complete a network of hidden tunnels before food and air run out. Alongside neighbors, they battle against time to keep the fragile thread of life intact.
"I was inspired by an article I read in a science journal that discussed how solar particles can slip through cracks in the Earth’s magnetosphere, causing a slow leak of our atmosphere," says Cholette, who combines her love of sci-fi and fantasy with a passion for addressing real-world environmental issues. "It led me to think: What if this were a true disaster? How would young people survive? That’s the heart of Digger: Dig or Die!—a fast-paced, heart-pounding story where young heroes use their wits to fight for survival."
The novel’s premise is rooted in real climate science, with an added layer of excitement that will captivate young readers. Cholette incorporates alarming evidence from the scientific community about the damaging effects on Earth’s atmosphere, such as the cooling of the ionosphere caused by rising CO2 levels. The story offers a cautionary tale while weaving in adventure and hope.
Aimed at educators, climate advocates, and young readers interested in the intersection of science fiction and environmentalism, Digger: Dig or Die! delivers a message about resilience and innovation in the face of disaster. The book also includes a bibliography of sources for readers to explore the science behind the story further.
About the Author:
Deborah Cholette is a passionate lover of sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian fiction. She resides in Ottawa, Ontario. When not writing, she enjoys reading about climate science and exploring ways to raise awareness about the environmental issues facing our world. Digger: Dig or Die! is her debut middle-grade novel, and she hopes to inspire the next generation to take action for the future of Earth.
Deborah Cholette is a passionate lover of sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian fiction. She resides in Ottawa, Ontario. When not writing, she enjoys reading about climate science and exploring ways to raise awareness about the environmental issues facing our world. Digger: Dig or Die! is her debut middle-grade novel, and she hopes to inspire the next generation to take action for the future of Earth.
Contact:
Deborah Cholette
Email: deborahcholette@gmail.com
Website: www.deborahcholette.com
Deborah Cholette
Email: deborahcholette@gmail.com
Website: www.deborahcholette.com