The title of the book is taken from a speech given by Thunberg. The publisher describes Thunberg as “the voice of a generation facing the full force of climate catastrophe.”
“My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 16 years old. I am from Sweden. And I speak for future generations. We children don’t sacrifice our education and our childhood so that you can tell us what you think is politically possible in the society you created. We children do this to wake up adults. We children are doing this for you to put your differences aside and act as if you were in a crisis. We, children, do this because we want to return our hopes and dreams,” the young activist told the politicians and.
“Greta is calling for change at the highest level. And because her message is so urgent and so important, we are working to make it available to as many readers as possible, as quickly as possible. This little book will capture an extraordinary, unprecedented moment in our history and invite you to join the fight for climate justice: wake up, speak up and make a difference,” said production editor Chloe Karents.
There will be no preface to the speeches in the book. “We want to ease her voice, not interfere as publishers. She is an incredibly clear child who speaks to adults. This is an invitation to stand up and join. There is hope in these pages, not just darkness and gloom,” Karents said.
When asked about the sustainability of printed book production, Penguin said they intend to print all of their books on “FSC-certified paper, one of the most sustainable options available” by 2020. The book is also available in electronic version. “Of course, we need more help in the fight against the climate crisis, and we are determined to support Greta Thunberg’s efforts to spread this idea everywhere,” the publisher said in a statement.
The publisher also plans to release Scenes from the Heart, a family memoir written by Greta herself with her mother, opera singer Malena Ernman, her sister Beata Ernman and her father Svante Thunberg. All family income from both books will be donated to charity.
“It will be the story of the family and how they supported Greta. Greta was diagnosed with selective mutism and Asperger’s a few years ago, and instead of protesting it and trying to make her ‘normal’, they decided to stand by her when she said she wanted to do something about climate change.” the editor said. She added that Greta has “already inspired millions of children and adults around the world, and she’s just getting started.”