Wildfire

Gr 3-8–Climate change and irresponsible use of fireworks combine to create a heartbreaking background for this story. Protagonist Julianna and her family live in the Oregon woods and are forced to relocate after a wildfire in the area. The action follows them as they settle into a new house and school. Dialogue bubbles and illustrations carry readers along without any additional exposition; environmental details are worked into conversations with Julianna’s parents and the sponsor of the school’s conservation club. The ways in which the family deals with their loss are handled in a realistic and age-appropriate manner. Julianna is angry, her younger sister is sad, and her parents try to hide their feelings to make things easier on the children. They all channel their feelings into positive actions, such as replanting trees in damaged sections of the forest and attending climate rallies. The comic book–style artwork uses vivid colors and bold outlines to create tone and setting. Julianna and her family present as white, while the other characters are racially diverse.