The Twenty-One

Compelling and timely, award-winning author Elizabeth Rusch’s The Twenty-One tells the gripping inside story of the ongoing landmark federal climate change lawsuit, Juliana vs. United States of America. The Twenty-One is for readers of Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen, fans of Steve Sheinkin’s books, and anyone interested in the environment and climate change, as well as youth activism, politics and government, and the law.

From severe flooding in Louisiana to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest to melting permafrost in Alaska, catastrophic climate events are occurring more frequently—and severely—than ever. And these events are having a direct impact on the lives (and futures) of young people and their families.

In the ongoing landmark case Juliana vs. United States, twenty-one young plaintiffs claim that the government’s support of the fossil-fuel industry is actively contributing to climate change, and that all citizens have a constitutional right to a stable climate—especially children and young adults, because they cannot vote and will inherit the problems of the future.

Elizabeth Rusch’s The Twenty-One is a gripping legal and environmental thriller that tells the story of twenty-one young people and their ongoing case against the U.S. government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty. A rich, informative, and multifaceted read, The Twenty-One stars the young plaintiffs and their attorneys; illuminates the workings of the United States’s judicial system and the relationship between government, citizens’ rights, and the environment; and asks readers to think deeply about the future of our planet.

Features extensive backmatter, including a timeline, glossary, call to action, additional resources, and photographs.

What happens when a group of kids and teens takes on the most powerful government in the world to save their future?
A Landmark Court Case: Go inside Juliana vs. United States, the groundbreaking federal lawsuit where twenty-one young plaintiffs argue for their constitutional right to a stable climate.The Power of Youth Activism: Meet the 21 courageous kids and teens from across America who stood up to their own government, from a Louisiana girl whose home was flooded to an Alaskan teen witnessing the permafrost melt.Constitutional Law in Action: Witness the twists and turns of a high-stakes legal battle, explained in a clear, fast-paced style that makes complex civics and the workings of the judicial system accessible and exciting.Social Justice for a New Generation: Discover how the fight for a healthy planet is a fundamental issue of citizens’ rights, intergenerational equity, and justice for all.