Child of Fire

by Scott O'Dell

A parole officer relates his efforts to keep the violence and heroics of two young Chicanos under control.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Scott O'Dell was an American author celebrated for his historical fiction, especially novels for young readers. He is best known for Island of the Blue Dolphins, a classic that earned the Newbery Medal and has been translated into many languages and adapted for film. Over his career he wrote more than two dozen novels for young people, as well as works of nonfiction and adult fiction, often drawing on the history and landscapes of California and Mexico. His books, including The King’s Fifth, The Black Pearl, and Sing Down the Moon, earned him multiple Newbery Honors and a wide readership. O'Dell received numerous awards for his contribution to children’s literature, among them the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Regina Medal. In 1984, he established the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction to encourage outstanding works in the genre.

Reviews

[Annika Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a book I would not have normally picked out for myself to read, but the 52 Book Challenge got me to try something new. The author was a bit repetitive in certain paragraphs throughout the book and did not need to be. It was an okay story, but I wouldn’t say super intriguing. I enjoyed the aspects of rival gangs and the evolution of the character Manuel Castillo. I did enjoy how the author included aspects, although small and short in description, about the real life labor
Movement of Cesár Chavez, the Brown Berets group; and La Raza. Being a history major, I was thrilled to have these be included within the book.