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When Tomorrow Burns
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Three middle school students embark on a quest to find a book that may just save their lives in this spectacular novel about fate and friendship--from the Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger.
"Another unforgettable novel from one of my favorite authors. I loved Nomi, Arthur, and Vi. I have a prophecy that readers will love them, too."—Erin Entrada Kelly, two-time Newbery Medalist and National Book Award finalist
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
Once there was a tree. For two hundred years, there was a tree. There was a tree. There was a tree. Until the tree fell in a forest--and then there was a book.
When best friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur were younger, they discovered a book of prophecies. It was so very comforting to know what was coming. But as the kids grew older, they forgot about the book.
Until the final prophecy started coming true.
Now, as seventh grade tests their friendship and wildfires threaten Seattle, the final prophecy promises fire and destruction. Nomi tries everything to prevent calamity. The only problem? She needs help...but Vi's acting strange and Arthur stopped talking to her.
Vi can't tell Nomi, but she's been texting the coolest boy in school, and it's going well--until that boy makes an unexpected request, and she must decide who she wants to be.
Meanwhile, Arthur joined the cross-country team, but he can't outrun the real reason he ended his friendship with Nomi. The best he can do is try to hide it.
As the prophecy escalates, past and present intersect, fate and friendship collide, and secrets spread like wildfire. Together, Nomi, Vi, and Arthur must face the future...even, and especially when it's so uncertain.
"Another unforgettable novel from one of my favorite authors. I loved Nomi, Arthur, and Vi. I have a prophecy that readers will love them, too."—Erin Entrada Kelly, two-time Newbery Medalist and National Book Award finalist
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
Once there was a tree. For two hundred years, there was a tree. There was a tree. There was a tree. Until the tree fell in a forest--and then there was a book.
When best friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur were younger, they discovered a book of prophecies. It was so very comforting to know what was coming. But as the kids grew older, they forgot about the book.
Until the final prophecy started coming true.
Now, as seventh grade tests their friendship and wildfires threaten Seattle, the final prophecy promises fire and destruction. Nomi tries everything to prevent calamity. The only problem? She needs help...but Vi's acting strange and Arthur stopped talking to her.
Vi can't tell Nomi, but she's been texting the coolest boy in school, and it's going well--until that boy makes an unexpected request, and she must decide who she wants to be.
Meanwhile, Arthur joined the cross-country team, but he can't outrun the real reason he ended his friendship with Nomi. The best he can do is try to hide it.
As the prophecy escalates, past and present intersect, fate and friendship collide, and secrets spread like wildfire. Together, Nomi, Vi, and Arthur must face the future...even, and especially when it's so uncertain.
Audible Audio
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Tae Keller
11 books561 followersTAE KELLER is the Newbery award winning and New York Times bestselling author of When You Trap a Tiger and The Science of Breakable Things. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she subsisted on kimchi, purple rice, and stories. Now, she writes about biracial girls trying to find their voices, and lives in Seattle with her husband and a multitude of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
August 23, 2025
DNF @ 5%
Unable to continue this book due to LGBTQ content.
One of the main characters has two fathers.
Unable to continue this book due to LGBTQ content.
One of the main characters has two fathers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Nomi, Violet, and Arthur used to be close friends, but as middle school wears on, they spend less time together. Arthur broke away first, spending more time with the boys on the cross country team, in part because he has a crush on Nomi and doesn't think she likes him that way. Nomi does, but she is obsessed with an old book the three kids found in Arthur's fathers' gallery. She thinks that the poems are prophetic, based on how things in her life were able to be interpreted. Violet is more interested in boys than Nomi, which Nomi finds irritating even though she has a crush on Arthur. There are wildfires in the area surrounding their Seattle home, so when Violet shows up wearing an uncharacteristic all pink outfit, Nomi thinks that the combination of pink and gray is signifying the end of her world. Violet is angry about her mother's blog, and when Lucas asks her to send him a compromising selfie, she does. She thinks he won't share it with anyone. Nomi goes full speed ahead to try to solve the mystery of the book, even contacting a scientist after she says something very similar to one of the prophecies. We also hear a back story of the book from the perspective of the trees. When Lucas shows other boys the picture of Violet in her bra, Nomi goes on the war path and attacks Lucas. This puts her scholarship in jeopardy, and since her single mother is struggling financially, she would have to leave the private school. Violet wants to quit and go to public school with Nomi, and the girls cause a fire when burning some of the unflattering sketches Lucas has spread around school. Luckily, Arthur saves the day by providing proof to the principal.
This reminded me of Rebecca Stead's 2015 Goodbye, Stranger. I appreciated the author's note that we shouldn't try to hide the horrible things going on in the world from tweens, but I'm not sure that the compromising selfie plot ARC will resonate with my students. Our school dress code is literally "all private parts must be covered", and there have been girls coming to school in low rise jeans and tube tops, which are much more revealing than bras. The cover makes this look like it might be about climate change, and there are glimmers of that, but it's more about social media use and friend difficulties. Hand this to students who will appreciate the interstitial Greek chorus sections from the point of view of the trees.
Nomi, Violet, and Arthur used to be close friends, but as middle school wears on, they spend less time together. Arthur broke away first, spending more time with the boys on the cross country team, in part because he has a crush on Nomi and doesn't think she likes him that way. Nomi does, but she is obsessed with an old book the three kids found in Arthur's fathers' gallery. She thinks that the poems are prophetic, based on how things in her life were able to be interpreted. Violet is more interested in boys than Nomi, which Nomi finds irritating even though she has a crush on Arthur. There are wildfires in the area surrounding their Seattle home, so when Violet shows up wearing an uncharacteristic all pink outfit, Nomi thinks that the combination of pink and gray is signifying the end of her world. Violet is angry about her mother's blog, and when Lucas asks her to send him a compromising selfie, she does. She thinks he won't share it with anyone. Nomi goes full speed ahead to try to solve the mystery of the book, even contacting a scientist after she says something very similar to one of the prophecies. We also hear a back story of the book from the perspective of the trees. When Lucas shows other boys the picture of Violet in her bra, Nomi goes on the war path and attacks Lucas. This puts her scholarship in jeopardy, and since her single mother is struggling financially, she would have to leave the private school. Violet wants to quit and go to public school with Nomi, and the girls cause a fire when burning some of the unflattering sketches Lucas has spread around school. Luckily, Arthur saves the day by providing proof to the principal.
This reminded me of Rebecca Stead's 2015 Goodbye, Stranger. I appreciated the author's note that we shouldn't try to hide the horrible things going on in the world from tweens, but I'm not sure that the compromising selfie plot ARC will resonate with my students. Our school dress code is literally "all private parts must be covered", and there have been girls coming to school in low rise jeans and tube tops, which are much more revealing than bras. The cover makes this look like it might be about climate change, and there are glimmers of that, but it's more about social media use and friend difficulties. Hand this to students who will appreciate the interstitial Greek chorus sections from the point of view of the trees.
May 21, 2026
Yes to all of this - three narrators, short chapters, a forest Greek chorus, prophecies and poetry. Vi’s story, both as a subject of her mom’s social media account and the fallout of sharing a private photo, was handled with such nuance. It’s inspired me to start working on a one pager with recommended fiction titles for my middle school Digital Literacy class and their families. Professional reviews have this grades 3-7, but this would be a grades 5-7 recommendation for me.
April 19, 2026
I like Tae Keller’s books. But this was bad. The most woke book I’ve ever read but for MS? It was actually not appropriate for kids. I can see them being so confused. And for what? All it did was take away from the story.
Read
June 1, 2026
Trigger & Content Warnings
Food & housing insecurity
Wildfires discussed
Food & housing insecurity
Wildfires discussed
October 18, 2026
2026 Nominee for National Book Award in Young People's Literature.
Friendship, loyalties, middle school, fear of fire, and the significance of trees.
Three best friends making their way through, together and on their own.
Friendship, loyalties, middle school, fear of fire, and the significance of trees.
Three best friends making their way through, together and on their own.
September 7, 2026
Tae Keller is a genius at writing characters. This book feels so nostalgically middle school while also being completely of-the-moment. I want to hand this to every 8th grader out there. I loved this part of her author's note - "The truth is, there's no easy answer to how we live in a world on fire. But if I had to give one, I would say: together."
August 10, 2026
This ended up going in a completely different direction then I expected! What a powerful connection Keller wove between forest fires and the other ways our world can be on fire. I loved the friendship and the ways they stood up for each other.
March 18, 2026
2.5 stars
Three friends who have access to a special book that predicts the future grapple with the challenges of growing up. As they deal with confusing situations and changing friendships, they will have to figure out what’s important to hold on to and what they need to let go. Author Tae Keller’s prose is as beautiful as ever in a book that is at times confusing in its goals in When Tomorrow Burns.
Nomi, Vi, and Arthur are best friends—well, they used to be, until Arthur got all weird last year and stopped talking to Nomi and before Vi decided she no longer wanted to go by “Violet” and changed her wardrobe. Nomi loves her friends, but she can’t figure out what on earth is going on with them. She and Vi used to tell each other everything, but now Vi spends most of her time texting someone nonstop. Nomi doesn’t know anything else about it, and she misses her friend.
Vi wants to tell Nomi that she’s been chatting with Lucas, one of the most crushed-on boys in school, but she also likes having something to herself for a change. Lucas sees Vi as something special, and she doesn’t want to mess that up. And Nomi would never understand anyway. She’s too obsessed with the book of prophecies the three friends found years ago. Nomi is convinced it tells the future, and even though Vi can’t argue with Nomi’s logic she also wants to do more grown up things. Like talk to Lucas.
Arthur misses Nomi and Vi as best friends. The three of them used to do everything together. Then about a year ago, Arthur looked at Nomi and got a funny feeling inside. He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her ever since, but he doesn’t want to make things weird between them. Better to stop talking to her completely. It sucks, but it’s way less complicated than this squishy way he feels about her.
Then the wildfires around their home city of Seattle kick into high gear, and the friends are forced to change to life mostly indoors. Nomi is positive the fires are a sign from the prophecy book she and the others found years ago, and she knows it’s only a matter of time before the world collapses in total annihilation. She has to figure out how to stop it all, and the book is the only way to do it. If only that meant she didn’t have to see Arthur and try to ignore how sad she is about the end of their friendship.
Despite her better judgment, Vi gets on board with Nomi’s quest too but she keeps getting distracted by Lucas and his casual suggestion. Vi knows doing what he asks takes a lot of trust, and she’s flattered by Lucas’s trust in her but also scared by it. If only it didn’t take so much courage. But that’s what all three friends need these days, whole buckets of it, if they’re going to figure out how to save the world and their friendships all at the same time.
Author Tae Keller’s prose is an absolute delight, but the novel flounders in its main goal. Keller gives the friends their own alternating chapters, which allows readers to follow the kids, but she intersperses them with Greek chorus-style interludes from ancient trees. It’s not clear whether the book is meant to tell the story of the trees or the friends, whether it’s trying to make a comment on climate change or the difficulties of growing up in the current era. What is clear is that the book is trying to do too much.
In her author’s note, Keller says she wanted the book to reflect all the big life questions middle grade readers might face in these times. There’s no doubt the novel does that. However, without clarity in its teaching moments, the book feels like it’s covering too much.
The narration touches on the dangers of toxic masculinity and how harmful it is to young boys, but it doesn’t stay long enough on the subject. Keller also hints at the implied peer pressure young girls face as well as how the climate crisis and world events can weigh on young teens and affect their mental health. Yet none of these topics are examined to a great extent, which is a shame because all three of them on their own would have made compelling novels.
Fans of previous Tae Keller books may want to check this one out. Others new to her work should read her previous book, _Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone_, instead.
Three friends who have access to a special book that predicts the future grapple with the challenges of growing up. As they deal with confusing situations and changing friendships, they will have to figure out what’s important to hold on to and what they need to let go. Author Tae Keller’s prose is as beautiful as ever in a book that is at times confusing in its goals in When Tomorrow Burns.
Nomi, Vi, and Arthur are best friends—well, they used to be, until Arthur got all weird last year and stopped talking to Nomi and before Vi decided she no longer wanted to go by “Violet” and changed her wardrobe. Nomi loves her friends, but she can’t figure out what on earth is going on with them. She and Vi used to tell each other everything, but now Vi spends most of her time texting someone nonstop. Nomi doesn’t know anything else about it, and she misses her friend.
Vi wants to tell Nomi that she’s been chatting with Lucas, one of the most crushed-on boys in school, but she also likes having something to herself for a change. Lucas sees Vi as something special, and she doesn’t want to mess that up. And Nomi would never understand anyway. She’s too obsessed with the book of prophecies the three friends found years ago. Nomi is convinced it tells the future, and even though Vi can’t argue with Nomi’s logic she also wants to do more grown up things. Like talk to Lucas.
Arthur misses Nomi and Vi as best friends. The three of them used to do everything together. Then about a year ago, Arthur looked at Nomi and got a funny feeling inside. He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her ever since, but he doesn’t want to make things weird between them. Better to stop talking to her completely. It sucks, but it’s way less complicated than this squishy way he feels about her.
Then the wildfires around their home city of Seattle kick into high gear, and the friends are forced to change to life mostly indoors. Nomi is positive the fires are a sign from the prophecy book she and the others found years ago, and she knows it’s only a matter of time before the world collapses in total annihilation. She has to figure out how to stop it all, and the book is the only way to do it. If only that meant she didn’t have to see Arthur and try to ignore how sad she is about the end of their friendship.
Despite her better judgment, Vi gets on board with Nomi’s quest too but she keeps getting distracted by Lucas and his casual suggestion. Vi knows doing what he asks takes a lot of trust, and she’s flattered by Lucas’s trust in her but also scared by it. If only it didn’t take so much courage. But that’s what all three friends need these days, whole buckets of it, if they’re going to figure out how to save the world and their friendships all at the same time.
Author Tae Keller’s prose is an absolute delight, but the novel flounders in its main goal. Keller gives the friends their own alternating chapters, which allows readers to follow the kids, but she intersperses them with Greek chorus-style interludes from ancient trees. It’s not clear whether the book is meant to tell the story of the trees or the friends, whether it’s trying to make a comment on climate change or the difficulties of growing up in the current era. What is clear is that the book is trying to do too much.
In her author’s note, Keller says she wanted the book to reflect all the big life questions middle grade readers might face in these times. There’s no doubt the novel does that. However, without clarity in its teaching moments, the book feels like it’s covering too much.
The narration touches on the dangers of toxic masculinity and how harmful it is to young boys, but it doesn’t stay long enough on the subject. Keller also hints at the implied peer pressure young girls face as well as how the climate crisis and world events can weigh on young teens and affect their mental health. Yet none of these topics are examined to a great extent, which is a shame because all three of them on their own would have made compelling novels.
Fans of previous Tae Keller books may want to check this one out. Others new to her work should read her previous book, _Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone_, instead.
December 6, 2025
Tae Keller (Newbery winning When You Trap a Tiger, The Science of Unbreakable Things and more) gives middle grade readers another thoughtful look at the myriad of social and personal complexities faced by so many in that grades 5-8 age group. Nomi, Vi and Arthur are a trio of friends who find a book that seemingly predicts the future which provides them with, at times, both comfort and anxiety, and binds their friendship together. But time moves on, the book is shelved and friendships change. When fire threatens their Seattle home, the book’s importance surges and the threesome must come together once again. Told in alternating perspectives, including those of the trees that have been around longer than any of us have been, allows readers to see into the thoughts and minds of characters who may be experiencing similar things or allow them to view the world through the lens of someone/something very different. Slow at the start, the pace picks up as the fire and the friendships grow and change and all those who finish this one may find that they are still thinking about When Tomorrow Burns long after they turn the last page.
Target age group: grades 5-8
Representation: wide range of economic levels and family configurations, including Arthur and his two dads and the way society views these groups is included as one of the realities kids face today.
Free of profanity and physical violence is limited to that of nature.
Target age group: grades 5-8
Representation: wide range of economic levels and family configurations, including Arthur and his two dads and the way society views these groups is included as one of the realities kids face today.
Free of profanity and physical violence is limited to that of nature.
April 6, 2026
Nomi has been ardently following the predictions in the handwritten book of poetry she found one day, but when the final prophecy looks like it'll come true, she'll have to face the fact that Violet and Arthur are growing up and facing issues much more complicated than they appear.
I kind of assumed this book would be about climate change. And it's not like climate isn't mentioned. There's a forest fire and smoke, and the trees do come in with some gentle poetic chapters about how the world is changing. But actually this book is about why you shouldn't send n00ds. Which I suppose is an important topic but not one I am particularly vulnerable to. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of someone who will find it deeply meaningful and healing (which wasn't me, but I hope you found it if this is you).
I kind of assumed this book would be about climate change. And it's not like climate isn't mentioned. There's a forest fire and smoke, and the trees do come in with some gentle poetic chapters about how the world is changing. But actually this book is about why you shouldn't send n00ds. Which I suppose is an important topic but not one I am particularly vulnerable to. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of someone who will find it deeply meaningful and healing (which wasn't me, but I hope you found it if this is you).
November 10, 2025
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Wow. This book was just…wow. So many themes woven together. There were times I wasn’t sure it was working, but by the end I was blown away. Told through a middle grade perspective, Tae Keller reflects on the ways that fire destroys and rebuilds - trees, houses, communities, but perhaps most importantly, ourselves. How do you survive after the world burns? Sometimes the only thing left to do is regrow.
This one will be given a spot on the permanent bookshelf!
Wow. This book was just…wow. So many themes woven together. There were times I wasn’t sure it was working, but by the end I was blown away. Told through a middle grade perspective, Tae Keller reflects on the ways that fire destroys and rebuilds - trees, houses, communities, but perhaps most importantly, ourselves. How do you survive after the world burns? Sometimes the only thing left to do is regrow.
This one will be given a spot on the permanent bookshelf!
April 15, 2026
Seventh grade is a rough time, especially when three close friends are all moving in different directions. Vi (formerly Violet, but now only Vi), Nomi, and Arthur have been tight for years. But now Vi is trying out new ideas of who she is, Arthur is more and more aware of how people think of him, and Nomi just wants everything to stay the same. Years ago, the three friends found a book of poems that doubled as predictions of the future, but now they’ve come to the end, and Nomi knows they can’t successfully navigate middle school without it. As Seattle is cloaked in a haze of wildfire smoke, Vi is talking to a boy named Lucas, Arthur is on cross-country with Lucas, and Nomi is desperate to find the second volume of poetry that the first book refers to. But when everyone has drifted apart, something happens that pulls them back together.
This is the first Tae Keller book I’ve read, and it was stunning. Each character stands alone and unique, even as they all need each other to be fully formed. Seventh grade is such a strange time, and watching Nomi and Vi approach it in opposite ways reminded me so much of my youth. This touches briefly on Vi’s experience as the child of a mommy blogger, but the turning point in the story is Vi’s flirtation with Lucas, which leads to her sending him a (with bra) topless Snapchat, and then watching him screenshot it, helpless to stop it. When Lucas shows her picture to other boys without her permission, she’s violated and heartbroken, but I was so happy to see the united front of care and support from both her mom and Nomi’s mom. Vi was never blamed for making bad choices, but embraced and supported through the process of reporting it to the school and dealing with the fallout. The book clearly places the blame on Lucas for his choices, and he is suitably disciplined. I want to booktalk this to every fifth grade kid I see this spring, but I ran it by my school librarians first. Universally, they all said it’s appropriate and worth discussion. I’ll also be booktalking this to middle schoolers I work with as well.
This is the first Tae Keller book I’ve read, and it was stunning. Each character stands alone and unique, even as they all need each other to be fully formed. Seventh grade is such a strange time, and watching Nomi and Vi approach it in opposite ways reminded me so much of my youth. This touches briefly on Vi’s experience as the child of a mommy blogger, but the turning point in the story is Vi’s flirtation with Lucas, which leads to her sending him a (with bra) topless Snapchat, and then watching him screenshot it, helpless to stop it. When Lucas shows her picture to other boys without her permission, she’s violated and heartbroken, but I was so happy to see the united front of care and support from both her mom and Nomi’s mom. Vi was never blamed for making bad choices, but embraced and supported through the process of reporting it to the school and dealing with the fallout. The book clearly places the blame on Lucas for his choices, and he is suitably disciplined. I want to booktalk this to every fifth grade kid I see this spring, but I ran it by my school librarians first. Universally, they all said it’s appropriate and worth discussion. I’ll also be booktalking this to middle schoolers I work with as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2026
A few good things:
The author is a good storyteller. She is good at character building, and her 3-perspective storyline was an added bonus. The author did a good job with the bullying aspect as well. A lot of middle-grade books try to deal with this, but this book did a good job with it - except that distributing that material actually is illegal, so the kid should have gotten in trouble with the law as well, but oh, well.
A few bad things:
This book is full of liberal vomit. Misrepresentations, exaggeration and demonization of ideas contrary to liberal beliefs, and some outright lies. The number of trees in the United States has been increasing a lot over the last 70 years, fueled by... wait for it... commercial demand. And the polar bear population is actually increasing - a lot. It has tripled since the 60s, and despite what liberal organizations want to believe, and want you to believe, it continues to grow, though not at the same rate as a couple decades ago. But hey, they need your money.
https://thegwpf.org/publications/50-y...
But yeah, the author definitely went down the liberal checklist of things to include in her book. Too bad - she's a good writer.
The author is a good storyteller. She is good at character building, and her 3-perspective storyline was an added bonus. The author did a good job with the bullying aspect as well. A lot of middle-grade books try to deal with this, but this book did a good job with it - except that distributing that material actually is illegal, so the kid should have gotten in trouble with the law as well, but oh, well.
A few bad things:
This book is full of liberal vomit. Misrepresentations, exaggeration and demonization of ideas contrary to liberal beliefs, and some outright lies. The number of trees in the United States has been increasing a lot over the last 70 years, fueled by... wait for it... commercial demand. And the polar bear population is actually increasing - a lot. It has tripled since the 60s, and despite what liberal organizations want to believe, and want you to believe, it continues to grow, though not at the same rate as a couple decades ago. But hey, they need your money.
https://thegwpf.org/publications/50-y...
But yeah, the author definitely went down the liberal checklist of things to include in her book. Too bad - she's a good writer.
July 23, 2026
Three best friends found and read a strange journal of vague phrases when they were younger. But then the phrases, or prophesies, started coming true and the friends grew apart. Now Arthur ignores his former friends in favor of his cross country teammates. And Violet changes her look and her name because she wants lots of things to change.
When it’s time for the last prophecy to come true (a longer and ominous sounding verse), the friends join together once more. They search for the promised sequel to the journal of prophecies, wanting to learn more about the future and yearning for hope in a world that is burning.
There is a lot going on in this book. The story resolves but not in the way you think it will or the way the story first implies.
The three friends all narrate along with the omniscient forest.
When it’s time for the last prophecy to come true (a longer and ominous sounding verse), the friends join together once more. They search for the promised sequel to the journal of prophecies, wanting to learn more about the future and yearning for hope in a world that is burning.
There is a lot going on in this book. The story resolves but not in the way you think it will or the way the story first implies.
The three friends all narrate along with the omniscient forest.
October 31, 2026
4.5 rounded up to 5.
I would agree with many people who said this book focused on a lot of issues, however an average middle schooler deals with a lot of issues daily so this felt appropriate. A lot of adults read kids books and then judge them based on their merit, forgetting that the target audience are children.
I think this book definitely didn’t expand on some topics, but it had enough of the life lessons to draw from.
I appreciated how inclusive the story was and even as an adult some scenes made me sit and think hard.
I would agree with many people who said this book focused on a lot of issues, however an average middle schooler deals with a lot of issues daily so this felt appropriate. A lot of adults read kids books and then judge them based on their merit, forgetting that the target audience are children.
I think this book definitely didn’t expand on some topics, but it had enough of the life lessons to draw from.
I appreciated how inclusive the story was and even as an adult some scenes made me sit and think hard.
September 19, 2026
I enjoyed the many layers of this novel, and Keller’s ability to interweave the voices of three 7th grade friends who are each navigating a confusing world. There is a whole lot going on in the story, but middle school readers will appreciate the honesty of Keller’s writing. The Greek chorus of trees may not have been essential to tell Nomi’s, Arthur’s, and Vi’s stories, but the touch of magical realism works well in bringing disparate elements together.
October 28, 2026
Against a backdrop of burning wildfires near Seattle, three seventh graders and former friends--Nomi, Vi, and Arthur--reunite to track down a book of prophecies and learn to heal their world and each other in the process.
Layered and lovely, this novel tenderly explores financial precarity (through Nomi); the growing pains of being biracial, having parents who overshare their childrens' lives on social media, and middle-school sexting (through Vi, who sends a photo of herself in a bra to a crush); and toxic masculinity (through Arthur). The close third-person narration alternates between the three tweens, whose perspectives are interspersed with first-person reflections from local trees. It's bold and weird in the best way--and in Keller's hands, this all comes together in a beautiful and arresting must-read narrative. One of my favorite books of 2026.
Layered and lovely, this novel tenderly explores financial precarity (through Nomi); the growing pains of being biracial, having parents who overshare their childrens' lives on social media, and middle-school sexting (through Vi, who sends a photo of herself in a bra to a crush); and toxic masculinity (through Arthur). The close third-person narration alternates between the three tweens, whose perspectives are interspersed with first-person reflections from local trees. It's bold and weird in the best way--and in Keller's hands, this all comes together in a beautiful and arresting must-read narrative. One of my favorite books of 2026.
March 9, 2026
Fantastic! Love how it deals with male toxicity, cyber bullying and misogyny. What a wonderful friendship between Vi and Nomi!!!
May 4, 2026
A very honest and compelling read that deals with some tough topics.
October 24, 2026
Solid middle grade- Keller covers a lot of topics - class, gender roles/discrimination, social media issues…
October 25, 2026
This book contains multitudes. So many hard things and things that are hard to talk about. and trees. and friends. very good.
May 13, 2026
I think the author perfectly described this book in her acknowledgments as one that doesn’t “give readers easy answers” but “offers a resting place for big feelings and big questions.”
Middle school kids will feel seen by this tenderly written, moving story about learning to live in the world around us (even though it may burn) and learning to live within ourselves.
Middle school kids will feel seen by this tenderly written, moving story about learning to live in the world around us (even though it may burn) and learning to live within ourselves.
September 22, 2026
My kids say this book is “heart-warming and the best book I’ve read this year”. As a parent, this book led to great conversations about toxic masculinity and online safety. Definitely a must-read!!
April 13, 2026
I read this book really fast because it was pretty engaging. I loved how there was three main characters and the overall plot of the story was fun.
August 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Books for Children for access to a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was an incredibly powerful story!! The world is a scary place right now, and not only do the kids know it, they experience it in ways that adults don’t completely understand, which more often than not, leaves them feeling lonely, worried, and hopeless. The problems that Keller tackles range from global disasters down to interpersonal relationships, and many others in between.
Nomi, Vi, and Arthur discovered an anonymous journal when they were younger, and its prophetic poetry has correctly predicted too many events for them to ignore its “magic” -from small things like predicting a new flavor of ice cream, to larger, friendship ending forecasts. But when an apocalyptic prophecy seems to be coming true, Nomi must gather her friends back together to figure out how to stop it.
I highly recommend this book, especially for kids who are struggling with dealing with the pressures of the world, their families, and the daily lives of middle schoolers.
This was an incredibly powerful story!! The world is a scary place right now, and not only do the kids know it, they experience it in ways that adults don’t completely understand, which more often than not, leaves them feeling lonely, worried, and hopeless. The problems that Keller tackles range from global disasters down to interpersonal relationships, and many others in between.
Nomi, Vi, and Arthur discovered an anonymous journal when they were younger, and its prophetic poetry has correctly predicted too many events for them to ignore its “magic” -from small things like predicting a new flavor of ice cream, to larger, friendship ending forecasts. But when an apocalyptic prophecy seems to be coming true, Nomi must gather her friends back together to figure out how to stop it.
I highly recommend this book, especially for kids who are struggling with dealing with the pressures of the world, their families, and the daily lives of middle schoolers.
October 15, 2026
* Reading Notes:
- [ ] Books/Stories, Reading, & Libraries are definitely an important part of this book. I really appreciate how even though Naomi and Arthur did not have an appointment at the library when they went to visit, the library and still let them do their research.
- [ ] I think it’s very cute that Arthur likes Nomi as much as he does and doesn’t know what to do about it; I think that that feeling can be applied to basically everyone and anyone in real life. I wonder if Nomi likes Arthur back? Based on what I’ve read so far, she doesn’t seem to. She has only tended to focus on the fact that Arthur is no longer close friends with her and Violet. She does have some moments where she is uncomfortable if she thinks that Arthur is liking another girl or something though, so I’m not sure.
- [ ] The scene where Arthur is asking Nomi to the dance, and Nomi takes a little while to actually get what he’s trying to do was a little frustrating, but also kind of funny, in a way😅😅 I think I said out loud — multiple times — “Jesus Christ, Arthur, spit it out!” and “Holy fuck, Nomi, Arthur is not trying to ask Violet to the dance; he is asking you!”
- [ ] Also based on what I’ve read so far, I have a very strong feeling that Nomi has either some anxiety, or she just doesn’t like change or… Something. There’s something about the things that she says and does in the book that is making me think that, but I can’t quite put my finger on why exactly that is.
- [ ] I can find myself completely relating to the feelings that Violet and Nomi have respectively. Liking someone as much as Violet does and wanting to be your true self with them is a very relatable feeling for both platonic and romantic relationships. Nomi being tired of feeling specific things and wanting to shove them down or hide them away and deal with them later is also very relatable; experiencing certain things that require you to think a lot or feel a lot can be exhausting at times.
- [ ] I like how all the mentions of fire can be applied to the literal smoke and fires that happened throughout the book and a metaphor for something completely different. Arthur, Nomi, and Violet i’ll feel like they are “suffocating” or “drowning” in their own ways and they feel like they want to “burn brightly” (aka being their true selves/saying what they want to say), but can’t (or won’t) for one reason or another.
- [ ] The fire and smoke also have to do with the past events that are referred to throughout the book and how there were a lot of obstacles put in place to help prevent Chinese or Japanese people from just living their lives and how there are rageful feelings felt about those obstacles. Very fortunately, racial issues tie into them.
- [ ] Writing seems to be a way that the metaphorical “fire” and “smoke” – feelings of frustration, anger, etcetera directed toward things happening in the lives of people – out before they threaten to "consume" said people. Expression in general is always a good way to work one’s way through those feelings and process them.
- [ ] I appreciate the references to past events in world and United States history; it is very easy to forget just how much turmoil occurred throughout it, and despite the negativity surrounding said events, it is always good to be reminded of them, so that they can be learned from and/or prevented in the future.
- [ ] It looks to me like the self-esteem of Arthur, Violet, and Nomi depends on either social media, things they are told/not told by other children, or a mix of both. Naomi experiences hurt, anger, and frustration toward Arthur because he stopped being friends with her and Violet. Violet (eventually) thinks that Lucas will continue to like her if she does specific things for him. Arthur has a crush on Nomi, doesn’t know what to do about it, and most likely feels sad when he sees that she might not like him back.
- [ ] The theme of pressure connects to this as well; it is created in the minds of all three of the kids. Nomi feels that she isn’t ready to have a boyfriend or a crush, and this causes her to feel awkward around both Arthur and Violet. Arthur thinks that being described as a symbol of hope is a lot for him, mentally – almost too much. Violet feels a possible slight urgency to connect with and become close to Lucas because she feels like she can’t talk to specific things with her family – and then eventually feels pressure from Lucas to do specific things for him, thinking that he won’t continue to like her or talk to her if she doesn’t. Not wanting her family to know about things like crushes and wanting to wear different bras is also why Violet chooses to hide the fact that Lucas is talking to her from Naomi at first, sneaking texting moments with him on her phone and eventually also hiding the specific things that she feels compelled to do for him.
- [ ] All of this also ties into the theme of reputation. Arthur and Violet don’t want to be seen by their peers as “uncool” or “childish”. They want to be able to fit in “properly” with other students at their school and in their community, which is partially the cause behind why they think/feel how they do, along with why they say/do what they say/do. This can also be a relatable feeling during the years of middle school – and the entire process of coming-of-age. Lots of growth and changes are happening, and nothing is actually “set in stone” (so to speak), even if things seem permanent.
- [ ] I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that the tickets to the dance cost $100.00; I feel like that’s a bit much for a middle-school dance. At least the money is being donated to the cause of the fires.
- [ ] The Abba reference with the song “Dancing Queen” made me smile. I love Abba, and that is a great DJ song for a dance!
- [ ] The second Gregory told Arthur that Lucas wanted to show him something, I thought to myself, “Oh no…Violet’s picture. He’s going to show it to everyone in school and be gross about it.”
- [ ] Even though I don’t usually support violence…I do also feel that Nomi’s reaction to Violet getting those stick figure drawings is very valid. Lucas didn’t seem to be sorry or guilty about what he did at all, and if that happened to me, I think the same feelings of anger and betrayal would be felt.
- [ ] Good God…that fire was terrible; Nomi, Violet, and Nomi’s mom were so lucky to have survived it. Violet is also very lucky that Bluebell’s fire plans had been repeated so many times.
- [ ] Arthur did the right thing by going to his school’s principal about being shown Violet’s picture by Lucas. Even though he is involved through that, at least he let Vaughn know about it. That is much better than saying nothing at all.
- [ ] After reading about the fact that Violet’s mom was no longer seen as an actual person after she became a mother, it makes me wonder about her father, especially because he said that he was going to be “more present” for her. What exactly did he mean by that? Has he not been very present for her at all? Is that why Bluebell “...falls asleep by making disaster plans”?
- [ ] I absolutely LOVE how the past historical events eventually get to connect with the present story!! The realization that Mr. Romero was also a scholarship student at Nomi’s school years ago – and that he is friends with Professor Newman – was AWESOME to read.
- [ ] At the same time, it wasn’t until now that I realized that the school Violet, Arthur, Nomi, and Lucas go to is a private one, not a public one. Before this moment, I hadn’t been able to tell whether it was one or not.
- [ ] Even with the negative feelings that Violet and Nomi felt about Lucas’s showing Violet’s photo around, part of me is kind of glad that he showed his true colors; no one else but him would have been able to fix him or better his flaws/more negative things, and I’m glad Violet and Nomi know that now.
- [ ] I love how the story has a happy ending, despite the negative events leading up to it! It feels very well-deserved! So satisfying!
- [ ] I love the author’s note! It describes the real world – and the world of the story – so well, and mentions charities to donate to, which is always great.
- [ ] Books/Stories, Reading, & Libraries are definitely an important part of this book. I really appreciate how even though Naomi and Arthur did not have an appointment at the library when they went to visit, the library and still let them do their research.
- [ ] I think it’s very cute that Arthur likes Nomi as much as he does and doesn’t know what to do about it; I think that that feeling can be applied to basically everyone and anyone in real life. I wonder if Nomi likes Arthur back? Based on what I’ve read so far, she doesn’t seem to. She has only tended to focus on the fact that Arthur is no longer close friends with her and Violet. She does have some moments where she is uncomfortable if she thinks that Arthur is liking another girl or something though, so I’m not sure.
- [ ] The scene where Arthur is asking Nomi to the dance, and Nomi takes a little while to actually get what he’s trying to do was a little frustrating, but also kind of funny, in a way😅😅 I think I said out loud — multiple times — “Jesus Christ, Arthur, spit it out!” and “Holy fuck, Nomi, Arthur is not trying to ask Violet to the dance; he is asking you!”
- [ ] Also based on what I’ve read so far, I have a very strong feeling that Nomi has either some anxiety, or she just doesn’t like change or… Something. There’s something about the things that she says and does in the book that is making me think that, but I can’t quite put my finger on why exactly that is.
- [ ] I can find myself completely relating to the feelings that Violet and Nomi have respectively. Liking someone as much as Violet does and wanting to be your true self with them is a very relatable feeling for both platonic and romantic relationships. Nomi being tired of feeling specific things and wanting to shove them down or hide them away and deal with them later is also very relatable; experiencing certain things that require you to think a lot or feel a lot can be exhausting at times.
- [ ] I like how all the mentions of fire can be applied to the literal smoke and fires that happened throughout the book and a metaphor for something completely different. Arthur, Nomi, and Violet i’ll feel like they are “suffocating” or “drowning” in their own ways and they feel like they want to “burn brightly” (aka being their true selves/saying what they want to say), but can’t (or won’t) for one reason or another.
- [ ] The fire and smoke also have to do with the past events that are referred to throughout the book and how there were a lot of obstacles put in place to help prevent Chinese or Japanese people from just living their lives and how there are rageful feelings felt about those obstacles. Very fortunately, racial issues tie into them.
- [ ] Writing seems to be a way that the metaphorical “fire” and “smoke” – feelings of frustration, anger, etcetera directed toward things happening in the lives of people – out before they threaten to "consume" said people. Expression in general is always a good way to work one’s way through those feelings and process them.
- [ ] I appreciate the references to past events in world and United States history; it is very easy to forget just how much turmoil occurred throughout it, and despite the negativity surrounding said events, it is always good to be reminded of them, so that they can be learned from and/or prevented in the future.
- [ ] It looks to me like the self-esteem of Arthur, Violet, and Nomi depends on either social media, things they are told/not told by other children, or a mix of both. Naomi experiences hurt, anger, and frustration toward Arthur because he stopped being friends with her and Violet. Violet (eventually) thinks that Lucas will continue to like her if she does specific things for him. Arthur has a crush on Nomi, doesn’t know what to do about it, and most likely feels sad when he sees that she might not like him back.
- [ ] The theme of pressure connects to this as well; it is created in the minds of all three of the kids. Nomi feels that she isn’t ready to have a boyfriend or a crush, and this causes her to feel awkward around both Arthur and Violet. Arthur thinks that being described as a symbol of hope is a lot for him, mentally – almost too much. Violet feels a possible slight urgency to connect with and become close to Lucas because she feels like she can’t talk to specific things with her family – and then eventually feels pressure from Lucas to do specific things for him, thinking that he won’t continue to like her or talk to her if she doesn’t. Not wanting her family to know about things like crushes and wanting to wear different bras is also why Violet chooses to hide the fact that Lucas is talking to her from Naomi at first, sneaking texting moments with him on her phone and eventually also hiding the specific things that she feels compelled to do for him.
- [ ] All of this also ties into the theme of reputation. Arthur and Violet don’t want to be seen by their peers as “uncool” or “childish”. They want to be able to fit in “properly” with other students at their school and in their community, which is partially the cause behind why they think/feel how they do, along with why they say/do what they say/do. This can also be a relatable feeling during the years of middle school – and the entire process of coming-of-age. Lots of growth and changes are happening, and nothing is actually “set in stone” (so to speak), even if things seem permanent.
- [ ] I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that the tickets to the dance cost $100.00; I feel like that’s a bit much for a middle-school dance. At least the money is being donated to the cause of the fires.
- [ ] The Abba reference with the song “Dancing Queen” made me smile. I love Abba, and that is a great DJ song for a dance!
- [ ] The second Gregory told Arthur that Lucas wanted to show him something, I thought to myself, “Oh no…Violet’s picture. He’s going to show it to everyone in school and be gross about it.”
- [ ] Even though I don’t usually support violence…I do also feel that Nomi’s reaction to Violet getting those stick figure drawings is very valid. Lucas didn’t seem to be sorry or guilty about what he did at all, and if that happened to me, I think the same feelings of anger and betrayal would be felt.
- [ ] Good God…that fire was terrible; Nomi, Violet, and Nomi’s mom were so lucky to have survived it. Violet is also very lucky that Bluebell’s fire plans had been repeated so many times.
- [ ] Arthur did the right thing by going to his school’s principal about being shown Violet’s picture by Lucas. Even though he is involved through that, at least he let Vaughn know about it. That is much better than saying nothing at all.
- [ ] After reading about the fact that Violet’s mom was no longer seen as an actual person after she became a mother, it makes me wonder about her father, especially because he said that he was going to be “more present” for her. What exactly did he mean by that? Has he not been very present for her at all? Is that why Bluebell “...falls asleep by making disaster plans”?
- [ ] I absolutely LOVE how the past historical events eventually get to connect with the present story!! The realization that Mr. Romero was also a scholarship student at Nomi’s school years ago – and that he is friends with Professor Newman – was AWESOME to read.
- [ ] At the same time, it wasn’t until now that I realized that the school Violet, Arthur, Nomi, and Lucas go to is a private one, not a public one. Before this moment, I hadn’t been able to tell whether it was one or not.
- [ ] Even with the negative feelings that Violet and Nomi felt about Lucas’s showing Violet’s photo around, part of me is kind of glad that he showed his true colors; no one else but him would have been able to fix him or better his flaws/more negative things, and I’m glad Violet and Nomi know that now.
- [ ] I love how the story has a happy ending, despite the negative events leading up to it! It feels very well-deserved! So satisfying!
- [ ] I love the author’s note! It describes the real world – and the world of the story – so well, and mentions charities to donate to, which is always great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
Three middle schoolers search for an old book which may be able to predict the future. Along the way they renew friendships, experience crushes, and learn some hard lessons. This book was much heavier than I had expected and took some digesting afterwards to connect it all together. Multiple POVs, including trees, engage the reader and shed light on internal motivations. Overall a worthwhile read.
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