But I will never know the miraculous truth of the earth itself unless I find it running wild.
Summary:
A Song for the Earth is a lyrical novel in verse written by an environmental scientist and designed to offer a hopeful perspective on the climate crisis.
The wide, wild world is made of wonder, but as climate change reinvents the landscape, rich ecosystems are under threat. On a journey through Earth’s major biomes, January learns the plight of the planet. Armed with the power of a voice made for poetry, she turns her lyrics into a call for action. Is it enough to write a song for the earth and ask the world to sing along?
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My Thoughts:
I love a novel in verse to shake up my reading. It’s not a genre I reach for often, but when I do, I am always pleasantly surprised by the hidden gems waiting for me. A Song for the Earth is just that, a hidden gem.
Author Shannon Jade, an environmental scientist, sheds light on the impact climate change has had on the natural world. A Song for the Earth reads like a ballad, one that gently but urgently raises awareness about what is unfolding in the natural world around us, inviting us to look past the cityscapes and toward the world beyond them.
January, the main character, journeys through five distinct locations. In each area, January witnesses the environmental changes. While it might sound like a story steeped in doom and gloom, it’s far from it. Instead, the reader is invited to sit with the discomfort of these realities alongside January, while still holding onto a sense of hope and deep love for the Earth. I found myself falling in love with each perspective, I enjoyed all of the poems but found myself drawn to Block Letters the most.
A Song for the Earth is a unique journey that you have to experience first hand. Jade has created the perfect balance between advocacy and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
Here are some of my favorite lines:
But as the forest becomes someplace new, no one here ever is certain whether this year’s rainfall will be enough of far too much
Time brings truth into sharp focus
I wish for wishing water water before the desert dies of thirst
We are active citizens in a world we owe out lives to
About the Author:
Shannon Jade is a poet, singer-songwriter, and environmental scientist who believes in the real-world magic of storytelling. She is the best-selling author of A Song for the Earth, which in 2025 earned bronze prize for book of the year at the ABLE Golden Book Awards. Shannon is also the author of Glimmer and has worked on books for several major publishers, including Rebel Girls and Wiley. Shannon holds a BA in creative writing and publishing and a master’s in environmental science. Today, Shannon mostly writes lyrics and poetry with a hopeful focus, aiming to make the world a better, greener, and kinder place.
You can follow Shannon Jade on Instagram (@shannon.m.jade ).
Lit Lemon Books 