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Nicky's Fire
Nicky and his father were never close. Nicky was afraid to ask his dad for anything. For career day at Nicky’s school, he is required to write a report on what his parents did for a living. With much coaxing from his mother, Nicky went to work with his father for one day.
Nicky’s father, Steve, was a New York City firefighter and Nicky witnessed the inner workings of the firehouse. This was his lucky day because Ladder 52 was ordered to The Rock for training and Nicky went with them. Nicky saw how the Probies trained to become firefighters.
On the way back Ladder 52 is called to a fire and Nicky discovers firsthand the controlled chaos on the fire ground. Steve puts the ladder to a third-story window and disappears into the smoke. The scene deteriorates fast as the building collapsed and Steve is nowhere to be seen.
Nicky’s father, Steve, was a New York City firefighter and Nicky witnessed the inner workings of the firehouse. This was his lucky day because Ladder 52 was ordered to The Rock for training and Nicky went with them. Nicky saw how the Probies trained to become firefighters.
On the way back Ladder 52 is called to a fire and Nicky discovers firsthand the controlled chaos on the fire ground. Steve puts the ladder to a third-story window and disappears into the smoke. The scene deteriorates fast as the building collapsed and Steve is nowhere to be seen.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 13, 2020
Middle school is not an easy time in a child's life. Arms and legs and voices that don't always act the way they are supposed to. Friends who aren't always friendly. Nicky's middle-school life is filled with a dad who works two jobs and is rarely at home, a bully who won't leave him alone, a stay-at-home mom who is worn out trying to be all things to all people and a teacher with [unrealistic??] expectations.
The new assignment is to write about your parent's job (career) or have your parent make a guest appearance in the classroom. Nicky's dad is a plumber. And a firefighter. Nicky and Steve don't spend much time together, don't have much in common. But, this new assignment gives Nicky extra courage to ask his dad about being a fireman, and, even, to get his dad and all the bosses above him, to agree to let Nicky spend a day at the fire house to see what goes on there. Nicky learns some very valuable lessons this day: don't panic, the value of all jobs -- whether or not they're glamorous, we take care of our own, kinds of fires, length of training, the difference between a job and a career.
Richard Trotta, Sr., himself a NYFD firefighter for 28 years, has written a YA novel that reads like a father talking to his son. Trotta uses fire department vocabulary, followed by understandable but not condescending definitions. It's a novel, so there's quite a bit of action, maybe more than Nicky might observe on many days, but certainly plausible for some days. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my grandchildren, and to anyone who wants to find out what firefighting is all about.
I read this EARC courtesy of Black Rose Writing and NetGalley. pub date 03/12/21
The new assignment is to write about your parent's job (career) or have your parent make a guest appearance in the classroom. Nicky's dad is a plumber. And a firefighter. Nicky and Steve don't spend much time together, don't have much in common. But, this new assignment gives Nicky extra courage to ask his dad about being a fireman, and, even, to get his dad and all the bosses above him, to agree to let Nicky spend a day at the fire house to see what goes on there. Nicky learns some very valuable lessons this day: don't panic, the value of all jobs -- whether or not they're glamorous, we take care of our own, kinds of fires, length of training, the difference between a job and a career.
Richard Trotta, Sr., himself a NYFD firefighter for 28 years, has written a YA novel that reads like a father talking to his son. Trotta uses fire department vocabulary, followed by understandable but not condescending definitions. It's a novel, so there's quite a bit of action, maybe more than Nicky might observe on many days, but certainly plausible for some days. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my grandchildren, and to anyone who wants to find out what firefighting is all about.
I read this EARC courtesy of Black Rose Writing and NetGalley. pub date 03/12/21
May 7, 2020
Overall Rating = 4.08
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.75
Editorial = 4.5
Nicky’s Fire is the story of twelve-year Nicky who has a strained relationship with his father, a man who works two jobs, including one as a NYC firefighter. Several experiences, both good and bad, finally give them an understanding and an appreciation of each other.
The author’s former career as a firefighter is evident as he relates his experiences and knowledge through the eyes of Nicky and his father, giving the story authenticity and realism. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the reader can easily imagine themselves in Nicky’s shoes. The novel also conveys several important lessons for young people, including the impact of bullying and the importance of family. This book was submitted for review in the young adult category, but I feel it would appeal mostly to the pre-teen, middle-grade reader.
Sublime Line: “Nicky’s Fire not only teaches the reader about the excitement and camaraderie of a fire department, it delivers an engaging story of the importance of family and friendship.”
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.75
Editorial = 4.5
Nicky’s Fire is the story of twelve-year Nicky who has a strained relationship with his father, a man who works two jobs, including one as a NYC firefighter. Several experiences, both good and bad, finally give them an understanding and an appreciation of each other.
The author’s former career as a firefighter is evident as he relates his experiences and knowledge through the eyes of Nicky and his father, giving the story authenticity and realism. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the reader can easily imagine themselves in Nicky’s shoes. The novel also conveys several important lessons for young people, including the impact of bullying and the importance of family. This book was submitted for review in the young adult category, but I feel it would appeal mostly to the pre-teen, middle-grade reader.
Sublime Line: “Nicky’s Fire not only teaches the reader about the excitement and camaraderie of a fire department, it delivers an engaging story of the importance of family and friendship.”
May 3, 2020
This was an easy read and I enjoyed being able to sit down and pick it up to get straight back into where I'd left off.
I really enjoyed reading about the firefighters, the station, the rock and all the bits that they get up to whilst at work. When reading I could really imagine them being there doing everything that was said. I really liked the Nicky as the main protagonist and enjoyed his character development throughout the story.
Although I enjoyed the book, I only gave it three stars as I thought some of the other characters and bits of the story were just shoehorned in to pad out the story.
Overall a great story for a quick read.
I really enjoyed reading about the firefighters, the station, the rock and all the bits that they get up to whilst at work. When reading I could really imagine them being there doing everything that was said. I really liked the Nicky as the main protagonist and enjoyed his character development throughout the story.
Although I enjoyed the book, I only gave it three stars as I thought some of the other characters and bits of the story were just shoehorned in to pad out the story.
Overall a great story for a quick read.
April 5, 2020
Great story with important information hidden inside!
Nicky's Fire was an easy to read story that kept me engaged to the end. Although I am a senior citizen and the story was far removed from the usual Dragon Fantasy genre I normally read, I would recommend this book to everyone. I especially recommend it to pre-teens. That Mr. Trotta is a retired firefighter adds credence to the information presented. I plan to buy a copy for my grandchildren!
Nicky's Fire was an easy to read story that kept me engaged to the end. Although I am a senior citizen and the story was far removed from the usual Dragon Fantasy genre I normally read, I would recommend this book to everyone. I especially recommend it to pre-teens. That Mr. Trotta is a retired firefighter adds credence to the information presented. I plan to buy a copy for my grandchildren!
July 12, 2020
Firefighters
This was a very enjoyable read. It was interesting seeing things from different perspectives. Mom was quite a force behind the family, dad finally understood how he was missing his son's life and time as a family.
This was a very enjoyable read. It was interesting seeing things from different perspectives. Mom was quite a force behind the family, dad finally understood how he was missing his son's life and time as a family.
March 17, 2023
Excellent
I read this in sitting ,a very well written story about firefighters and their lives. Good characterizations and plot. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I read this in sitting ,a very well written story about firefighters and their lives. Good characterizations and plot. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 22, 2020
Enjoyable, quick read.
October 5, 2020
I laughed & cried
This book was a great way to learn what a firefighter really is. I enjoyed it immensely. Definitely recommending this book.
This book was a great way to learn what a firefighter really is. I enjoyed it immensely. Definitely recommending this book.
March 6, 2021
Review held pending Maxy Award judging
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews