The Big Burn
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3.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Teen Fiction from the author of Hitch and Paper Daughter. "A must-read for adrenaline junkies."—VOYA
On a hot summer day in 1910 a teenage soldier assembled his rifle. A girl argued to save trees on a mountain homestead. A young man set out to fight fire. None knew that soon the many blazes burning across northern Idaho would blow up and send a wall of flame racing their way.
Portraying a natural disaster that would dictate how the United States would fight wildfire in the 20th century, The Big Burn brings to life a turning point in fire science, forestry, and history. Richly drawn characters doing their best against gigantic odds will grip your heart. The realistic depiction of wildfire will make you feel you were there.
With non-fiction Field Notes and an Afterword about firefighting today, it's a novel that moves from the 1900s into the 21st century. Whether you're an adult or young adult reader, you'll come away with a new understanding of nature and a "heighten[ed] appreciation for the courage and sacrifice of firefighters and settlers" (Publishers Weekly).
Montana Book Award Honor
"Historically accurate and dramatically engaging."—Teen Reads
"Presents a vivid picture of a natural disaster while skillfully conveying in fluid prose the individual stories of the three young people."—Horn Book
"Fascinating and harrowing . . . for any kid whose tastes run to disaster and survival, mixed into a coming of age story."—Richie's Picks
"A solid adventure story with a well-realized setting."—Booklist
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ingold (Pictures, 1918) captures the momentum of a wildfire in this historical novel about "the big burn" that scorched millions of acres across Idaho and Montana in 1910. Against the atmospheric backdrop of beauty and devastation, each of three teens bravely battles the fire. As a member of the all-black infantry sent to help, Seth conquers his own insecurities; Jarrett, younger brother of a forest ranger, chooses to combat the blaze with the rough-and-tumble, ill-equipped hired crews; while Lizbeth and her guardian cousin reluctantly abandon their homestead, only to face the danger in town. Ingold intersperses the intersecting stories of the teenagers with "field notes" recorded by a ranger and a university professor; these slow the pace but offer illuminating background, including the contrast between the Indian tradition of setting controlled fires annually versus the government's belief that "the only safe way to control fire was to not let it burn in the first place." The narrative flags a bit a romance between Jarrett and Lizabeth never becomes as compelling as their individual struggles but on balance, the triumphs and casualties recounted here will heighten appreciation for the courage and sacrifice of firefighters and settlers; the book may be especially timely in light of this summer's runaway fires in the West. Ages 12-up.
