SPARK

A verse novel following a middle schooler’s search for hope after a devastating wildfire.

Living in a small California town surrounded by redwoods, observant eighth grader Finn has learned about the natural cycle of droughts and wildfires, but nothing can prepare him for the trauma of evacuation and displacement when a catastrophic fire forces everyone in town to flee. Once studious and organized, Finn is now scattered, plagued by nightmares and worries after returning home. Did the animals in the nearby state park survive? Will his best friend find her beloved missing dog? Can his father find construction work that doesn’t threaten the wildland-urban interface? Most of all, will Finn ever feel hopeful again? Divided into sections set before, during, and after the fire, the story effectively focuses on the impact of PTSD after a natural disaster. Baron covers different kinds of support, including therapy and journaling. Finn’s journey from despair to hope involves finding actionable steps to advocate for animals and humans in his community, making this title a good fit for classroom and book group discussions. Descriptions of the fires pack a visceral punch, compensating for the heavily expository and educational poems and the dialogue, which occasionally has a formal tone. Finn’s Jewish family is cued white, and there’s some racial diversity among his friends.

Fills a need for educational and hopeful stories about kids handling the realities of wildfires.