Chris McGee

Chris McGee currently resides in the rural Midwest. Over the course of his north fifty years, he's spent much of it as a classroom teacher and much of it in nature. He's performed at the Kennedy Center and ridden his bicycle around the world. His heart is steadfast in hoping and doing what he can for the the earth, as he knows without being a caretaker to what we stand on, we have nothing.

Praise for Mr Green Jeans

“Exceptionally well written from beginning to end, Mr Green Jeans is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Chris McGee’s debut venture as an eco-novelist. Mr Green Jeans is very highly recommended, especially to the attention of environmental activists, and will make an enduringly popular addition to community library General Fiction collections.”

—John Taylor, Midwest Book Review

UTNE Magazine

In today's fast-paced world, many people feel disconnected Mr. Green Jeans from those around us, as well as from the earth and Mother Nature. Many of us are learning to reconnect with the planet, teaching others as we go along our journeys after catching glimpses of a not-so-wonderful future on a possibly dying planet.

In his debut novel Mr Green Jeans, Chris McGee offers a different take on the fight to save the world, introducing Jack and Lake Creek in this cli-fi (climate fiction, a term coined in the last decade for fiction focused on climate change and the resulting natural disasters) eco-novel. In what may be termed a mid-life crisis, Jack – teacher by day, eco-warrior by night – begins his journey to save Mother Earth by toppling a few billboards along an interstate highway in Missouri, leaving the signature "Mr Green Jeans." After a close call, he tells his wife, Lake, about his nocturnal adventures, and learns she's eager to join the fray. After strategizing, the couple hops into a van (painted green, of course) and take their message on the road.

Instead of continuing the fight against eyesore billboards, they go a more positive route by hanging canvas banners from billboards, buildings and highway bridges – banners containing messages from Mother Earth urging all to take action against climate change and a variety of institutions and beliefs threatening the Earth's well-being.

While the couple believes they are on this journey alone, they are, in fact, supported by family, friends, fellow eco-stewards, and even a few members of the media. Their travels take them from their home in Missouri throughout the Midwest and Great Plains and finally into an embattled Southwest region near Phoenix.

Mr Green Jeans allows one to go along for the ride as Jack and Lake spread the word that the planet is in pain and, while we humans are undoubtedly the cause of that pain, we are also the only possible solution. The novel is well-written, keeping one's attention as Jack and Lake struggle to outrun their opposition, all the while attempting to remain anonymous as their message goes viral on social media platforms.

The ups and downs and close calls experienced by these dedicated and likeable eco-stewards bring the reader to the edge of the seat, as we feel Jack and Lake's sense of urgency and accomplishment, and the hope they are helping the planet and making a difference in the larger picture of today's standoffs between environmental activists and those urging growth at any cost. At the end of the novel, the Creeks see their lives change forever; that may also hold true for the reader.

As an aside, this is the first in a series of books planned by the author to feature Jack, Lake and friends. I, for one, look forward to reading the continuing journey of these eco-stewards.

Whether you are among those taking a more involved approach to helping the environment, or you are contemplating a plan of action, or you simply remember the activism of your youth, you will appreciate the message and the characters of Mr Green Jeans. And you'll have a fine time reading this thrilling and enthralling example of the cli-fi genre.

Jean Teller - Senior writer

Patricia K. Mackey reviewed Mr Green Jeans

Educational, entertaining and inspirational July 26, 2016

Chris McGee has written an entertaining, educational book about a married couple, Lake and Jack, who are teachers turned activists. This couple takes quite a ride that begins simply enough by putting up large posters to draw attention to different environmental crises. It turns into a full fledged grass roots movement, drawing national attention. Unless you've been living under a rock, most people are aware of the dire straights into which we human beings have put our planet. With species disappearing every day at such an alarming rate, Jack counsels us to WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING! Jack and Lake are doers, and they show us just what one can accomplish when truly committed and passionate.

This book educates and inspires!

A Gold Mine for Teachers By Ann Gunsalus on July 24, 2016 July 24, 2016

In his first book Chris McGee tackles the large and looming question - what do you do when you see your planet being slowly destroyed? It seemed alarms were going off throughout the book asking - ISN'T ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION?

We are introduced to Lake and Jack Creek who so compliment each other and think alike that they practically finish each others sentences. Slowly through their lives they have each developed a deep understanding and respect for the natural world. They cringe when watching its daily destruction, but Jack and Lake reach a breaking point. They decide to take action to save the planet and be a voice for those who have no voice.

What follows is not only an exciting adventure but consideration of problems we would all face when blowing the whistle - the sacrifice which could be life changing when one speaks out.

Jack and Lake are teachers. They take a year's leave. Traveling from Missouri to the canyons and deserts of Arizona they with help from like-minded individuals start a "Mr. Green Jeans Movement." With banners, flyers, t-shirts, airplane fly-by banners, newspaper photos, radio and the nightly television news they bring an awareness creating a true grassroots outcry.

Hanging banners stating the truth on city buildings it turns out is not so good for a corporation's business. The Big Boys scramble to locate the identity of Mr. and Mrs. Green Jeans. Finally, someone snaps a clear photo of Jack and Lake.

This all reaches a climax as Jack and Lake learn that a corporation has offered $40,000 as a reward for their capture. Television flashes their faces across the evening news. Knowing that they had made a difference Jack and Lake consider for a minute Jack's mother's request that they come home and "face the music." However, they are Mr. and Mrs. Green Jeans and Mother Earth is calling.

I couldn't help but think (1) what an excellent guide this would be for teachers to have discussions on so many levels with their students (2) great choice for an all school "Read and Discuss Book".

A green ''cli-fi'' book with a serious message: Protect the Earth, safeguard its treasures. May 14, 2016

"Mr Green Jeans" is a green ''cli-fi'' book with a serious message: Protect the Earth, safeguard its treasures. Chris McGee has written a wake up call for the world, and it deserves a wide audience. He's a natural-born storyteller, writes seamlessly, knows how to hook his readers. He hooked me, and I am looking forward to more in the series.

Dan Bloom