The Tear Collector

In this affecting fantasy, Romero (Tale of the Flying Forest) utilizes a devastatingly candid third-person narrative to render a group of climate crisis survivors fighting for a brighter future. Siblings Malka and Ezra are nine and seven when a flood engulfs the world, setting them adrift. They wash ashore on an island with an array of fellow castaways, one of whom, Dr. Jonas Hollman, becomes their guardian. Three years pass without word from the mainland, causing many to catch the Sorrow—an illness whereby prolonged grief and despair transforms people into terrifying beasts. Jonas is researching a cure by analyzing islanders’ tears, but Malka starts losing faith when Ezra begins exhibiting symptoms of the Sorrow. Then young pilot Olivia crash-lands on the beach. The aviator insists that the mainland is rebuilding and offers to arrange rescue upon repairing her plane. Jonas forbids his charges from helping, asserting that staying realistic about their circumstances is “the key to staying healthy.” The kids, however, believe that it’s brave to have hope, and they commence assisting Olivia in secret. Lyrical prose, darkly whimsical worldbuilding, and an intersectionally diverse cast of exquisitely rendered, emotionally complex characters complement Romero’s inspiring plot, which advocates for mental health awareness as well as activism both social and environmental. Ages 8–12. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency. (Oct.)