Wildfire Rescue: A Branches Book

by Rekha S. Rajan, Courtney Lovett (Illustrator)

The Disaster Squad is ready to save the day in this action-packed early chapter book series perfect for fans of The Magic Tree House and I Survived! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Meet the Disaster Squad! Leela, Jaden, and the rest of the Jackson family travel the country and respond to natural disasters, helping people in need and rescuing animals along the way. In this first adventure, the Jacksons are called to Northern California, where wildfires are raging through the forests. Smoke-filled skies, trapped animals, evacuation mandates... There are people and animals in danger! Will the Disaster Squad be able to keep their cool and lend a helping hand? With action-packed adventure and artwork on every page, Disaster Squad is the perfect series for any newly independent reader!

Genres: Adventure, Middle Grade, Survival, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Nature

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Amy Sole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a little over the top with kids going into wild fires. No, that wouldn’t actually happen. BUT, think Magic Treehouse or Wind Riders vibes. It is unrealistic but teaches kids so much about natural disasters. It teaches them what happens, how people can help, how you can help prevent wild fires, and what to do if you get stuck in one. My 6 year old and I loved it and are ready to read the next one!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A fun read overall.

Honestly, the setup was a little weird to me. A journalist and a doctor drive around the country in their RV with their two young children and their dog helping out with various natural disasters. It seemed odd that Jaden and Leela would go along on dangerous missions including into an active fire area.

While it took a bit to get into the concept, overall it was a good read.

It works as a nice way to learn about wildfires, fire safety, and what to do in a fire. I liked that it included practical information and explanations such as the dangers of smoke inhalation, the importance of wearing a mask during a fire, and some of the safety equipment used. Also shows the work that goes into containing and putting out wildfires as well as some of the rescue care needed.

Nice black-and-white illustrations pair well with the narration and help break up the text. Short chapters give plenty of opportunities for reading breaks.

Includes a list of reflection questions and activities at the back.

An entertaining read with some good information. Still a weird concept, but it works for a children's series to learn about different disasters and rescue efforts.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an adult reader, I can see that it is a challenge for the author to give child heroes enough of a challenge to be exciting, but also make them believably doable for children. Would I as a parent bring my children with me into danger zones with wildfires and hurricanes? No, but a child reader probably will just be excited about the thrills.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at ALA.

A family of disaster relief workers battle wild fires. Along the way they talk about science and disaster preparedness, make stupid decisions and love one another.

That's a bit glib. I did like the mixture of information and story. For the right budding reader this could be a good fit.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Jaden Jackson and his older sister Leela love traveling with their parents so that they can help out in areas of the US that are experiencing disasters. Their father, Lamar, is an award-winning doctor, and their mother, Jaya, is a famous journalist. The family travels in an RV with their dog Lucky, helping out with all manner of things in disaster areas. The father works with medical personel, their mother sends reports and photos to news agencies to raise awareness, and Jaden and Leela try to rescue animals whenever they can. They are involved in a dust storm in Kansas, where the kids manage to get some baby goats back to the barn, saving them. THe grateful farmer gives them some buckets as a thank you. The next stop is Northern California, where there are wildfires. This is even more treacherous, and the family helps out, making emergency packs, and Jaden even tries to rescue a bear cub, which is a bad idea. The fire is intense, and the Jacksons have to go to the emergency shelter with everyone else, where they still try to help. Jaden and Leela even use the new buckets to get water to some displaced deer that they pass.

Mr. Rogers advice to children experiencing trauma and turmoil still rings true today: if things look bleak,"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Jaden and Leela are able to go above and beyond, and step into the role of helpers themselves. Storms and fires are often in the news, and can be scary for young children to hear about. This book is helpful in describing what some of these disasters would be like to live through, which is somehow comforting. The unknown is always more scary.

I'm not sure how first responders to wild fires would feel about freelance doctors and journalists entering disaster areas, but the Jacksons do try to follow the protocols and help out as much as possible. There is good information about disaster preparedness and equipment that is helpful to have in a go bag. Everyone stays safe despite the danger, and the children do save some animals.

This nicely illustrated early chapter book, the first in a series, will appeal to readers who enjoyed adventure titles such as Earhart's Race the Wild books or the more fantastical Battle Bugs by Patton.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jaden, Leela, and their parents travel across the country in an RV helping people and animals during natural disasters. Their mom is a journalist, and their dad is a doctor. The kids focus on the animals. The kids know more than your average kid, but some of the dialogue is forced to teach readers and is boring as an adult. I like that they do make mistakes and are corrected (and in a way that wasn't as preachy). Chapter 10's beginning illustrations is definitely a repeat from chapter 1's and has to be a mistake/misprint. For fans of Surviving the Wild graphic novels and those interested in natural disasters.

[Ms. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting early chapter book about a family who is always ready to jump into action when adventure strikes. Through this quick paced story, readers will be turning the page to see how the "Disaster Squad" gets them self out of the danger they encounter. The authors trickle in nuggets of information to learn about geography, natural disasters and conservation tips. A fun read for nature lovers.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Otter award nominee. Geared towards lower elementary school students.
The Jackson family travel from disaster to disaster in their RV. They got a call to help with wildfires in Northern California. There were lots of cool facts intertwined throughout the book. It will certainly help expand students’ vocabulary.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading a Disaster Squad book. The family dynamics seemed on point for two siblings and I liked the diversity aspect. This book as action packed but actually very little in the way of animal rescue. Still a good introduction to community helpers and disaster prevention.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a cute early chapter book about a family that goes to help when natural disasters occur. They live in an RV and in this one they go to Northern California to help with wildfires. They learn about safety in fires and animals along the way.

[Sabrina Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2025-2026 K-2 Sunshine State Book. This book was just okay. I like how the book explained vocabulary and events happening in the book for early readers. This would be a good gateway series for the I Survived series.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as it is an Otter Award nominee. This is good for kids to learn about disaster safety and protocol, but story wise, it feels kind of lacking, and more inquisitive kids might ask why the characters and family randomly drive their RV into disaster zones-- not much context is provided.

[Kimberly Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s okay. The premise is good. The storyline is decent but some of the events are unbelievable and some of the facts weaved into the story pulled me away from the story itself. This is on the SSYRA JR 2025-2026 list.

[Cristina Mrozek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a SSYRA, Jr. book for the 2025-26 school year. I read it with my 1st grader and we enjoyed it. He really loved it and went on to read the rest of the entire series. Would recommend for grades 1-3.

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives fact about disasters and staying safe throughout the story

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read while subbing in 1st grade

[Nicole]

Pg.77

[Phuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've learnt a lot about this book

[Cassie Werlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my students! It was great. They really loved it, and I did too. A fun read!

[Kristina McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with my students! They loved it and had fun learning new things.

[Amy Seufert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible book for KCR - a lighter read than the I Survived books - this series would be better for my age group

[Shabooyah · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's giving ai i fear. the writing is just weird and unnatural feeling. also the concept is strange; do these parents not care about their children at all?

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emily likes this books but they're just okay to me. The kids don't listen to the parents - they are told to stay in the camper but they put themselves in danger!

[Hannah Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated a three because a disaster happened with a burning branch falling on his arm. It made me worried. Nothing good happened, only disasters, but I want to read the next book.

[Katy Morford]

Read with Tripp 12/25

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

 We have started to get questions from parents on what got my boys interested in reading at such a young age and I have been recommending this series. My eldest boy is eight now and youngest boy is five and they both love this series. The 8-year old will read it quickly but will stay and listen while I read it to the five-year-old. The five-year-old, in particular, really likes the series and often asks for the next one as soon as one is finished. He isn't reading yet but will "read" (ie look through the pages) before lights out almost every night. He is also a very physical kid and since this series has a lot of action in it, I think it helps keep him interested. Plus, most kids love disaster stuff and this is his age appropriate. I just wanted to mention this series in case you have parents/grandparents/Uncles/Aunts/whoever saying they want their kid to be more into reading and can't find anything that can keep their interest. This would be a 1st grade level of reading but (much like the five-year-old) even reading it to a pre-schooler might get them started in books.