Lights & Sirens

by Elizabeth Raum

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

As a child, I loved writing reports. For me, doing research has always been a kind of treasure hunt. My treasures are the facts that create pictures of past worlds and faraway places. I've put those facts into nearly 100 biographies, histories, and science books for young readers. I've also written two picture books and several interactive adventures that place you, the reader, inside the story. I hope that all my books lead you to imagine yourself in some intriguing place among fascinating people. Every book should take readers on new adventures in this big, beautiful world of ours.

Happy travels!

Author website: www.elizabethraumbooks.com

Reviews

[Ember]

Can you find redemption through saving others? This is one of the many important questions raised in Elizabeth Raum’s newest work, Lights & Sirens. The story follows sixteen-year-old Annika Sawyer, who joins the Twin Valley Rescue Squad trying to find meaning by saving others. However, the work is hard, much harder than Anni had anticipated.
This fast paced novel pulls you in from the very first page. It explores love, faith, friendship, and how trauma can affect them all. The author's writing style is immersive and smooth, pulling you in from the very beginning and grounding you in each scene with descriptive details from the ivy on a patients’ walls to the flashing lights of the ambulance.
Lights & Sirens carefully and skillfully explores connection and the weight carried by the characters in meaningful, authentic, and relatable ways for the readers. Under the tension and action, there's a lot of heart in this story, and I found myself thinking about it long after I had shut the cover on the final page.
Overall, I found Lights & Sirens an engaging, memorable read. If you love emotional, action packed and character driven stories, then this book is for you!

[June Dordal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lights and Sirens is one of those books that draws you in and keeps you reading well past your bedtime! The action of the ambulance runs combined with the complicated relationships between the characters makes this story action packed and poignant. The poetry sprinkled throughout added an unexpected and emotional layer. Another great book from Elizabeth Raum!

[Lucas Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Lights & Sirens* immediately stands out as a title that suggests urgency, sacrifice, and the people who answer the call when others need them most. Although I've only had the opportunity to learn about the book through its available information, it's easy to see why it has already earned enthusiastic early praise from readers.

The title alone evokes the emotional and physical demands placed on those whose lives revolve around emergencies, courage, and service. Whether the story centers on first responders, healthcare professionals, or individuals whose lives are forever changed by moments of crisis, it promises the kind of human story that resonates because it explores strength, resilience, and compassion.

Books that combine compelling characters with meaningful emotional journeys often leave the greatest impression, and *Lights & Sirens* appears to be the kind of novel that has the potential to connect with readers looking for stories filled with heart as well as suspense.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the world Elizabeth Raum has created. Based on the strong early reception, this is a book that deserves to find a wider audience among readers who appreciate emotionally driven contemporary fiction.

[Ella Adams]

I extremely enjoyed reading Lights and Sirens. I read the entire 266-page book in one afternoon! I could not put it down, even when I knew I had final exams to study for. I plan to pursue EMT-B certification in the next few years. This book fueled the fire! If I was not so busy finishing high school and entering college, I would definitely volunteer with my local first responders. Lights and Sirens is a truly inspiring read. Readers can tell the author has done her research with this book. I also appreciate her discretion when writing about wacky calls; I don’t have to worry if my nine-year-old sister picks this novel up. Ms. Raum writes with appropriate language for all ages.

[Susan Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lights & Sirens by Elizabeth Raum tells the story of sixteen-year-old Anni Sawyer as she joins the Twin Valley Rescue Squad hoping that in the process of saving lives she can find redemption for her own failures. Anni meets Jesse, a fellow crew member and classmate, who both surprises and intrigues her. Her commitment to the squad as well as her new friendship add tension to an already distant relationship with her mother. The heart-pounding emergency calls mixed with the sweetness of first love make Lights & Sirens a great read for young adults.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anni’s journey in Lights and Sirens is one that will stay with you. Joining a volunteer rescue squad to redeem her past, she is a relatable, lovable lead whose faith is tested and strengthened in equal measure. The action is fast-paced, but the true pulse of the book lies in its heartwarming friendships and a sweet, respectful love interest that you can't help rooting for. It's a refreshing, clean story for any age that proves redemption is always within reach.