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Wildfire
An inspiring and moving graphic novel, Wildfire follows climate change through the eyes of one middle-school girl, who’s eager to turn her anger into action.
Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family’s home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can’t seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school’s conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change—and how that action can be different for each of us.
Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family’s home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can’t seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school’s conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change—and how that action can be different for each of us.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2023
25 people are currently reading
2633 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this, but I'm taking one star off because of all the anxiety I suffered over the damn chickens in this story! 😫
September 21, 2023
Love this VERY readable, totally appropriate middle grade graphic novel about a wildfire that starts due to the wreckless behavior of a few kids - displacing many families and causing the destruction of nature as well as many homes. I love that as we see the aftermath of that crisis, our main character learns to turn her anger into action by joining the conservation club, doing good work for her community, and participating in peaceful protests. An excellent graphic novel with super appealing illustrations and a plot that will keep kids reading.
May 13, 2023
I’d like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I read the author’s previous work, Trespass and enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one. This story has meaning, when a wildfire destroys Juliana’s home and they have to leave their farm for the big city of Portland, we see how this affects her family and her. I enjoyed the story and the art that went with it.
August 26, 2024
This was charming. It weaved in environmental + climate change + forest fires seamlessly in a way that was still engaging but not preachy.
I also liked the understanding parents. In many of these stories, the parents just tell the kids to get over major changes in their lives; but the parents had empathy here. Julianna is allowed to feel angry, frustrated, and sad. While the parents encouraged her to speak about her feelings, they let her sit with them.
Overall, I enjoyed the measured approach to emotional issues and protecting the environment. One nitpick the story never explained what 4-H was. I had to search to see it's "a network of youth organizations whose mission is 'engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.'"
I also liked the understanding parents. In many of these stories, the parents just tell the kids to get over major changes in their lives; but the parents had empathy here. Julianna is allowed to feel angry, frustrated, and sad. While the parents encouraged her to speak about her feelings, they let her sit with them.
“Maybe someday, forgiveness could be a path toward healing. Maybe activism will be. Maybe something else entirely. But you do need to heal, and that takes time.”
Overall, I enjoyed the measured approach to emotional issues and protecting the environment. One nitpick the story never explained what 4-H was. I had to search to see it's "a network of youth organizations whose mission is 'engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.'"
March 18, 2024
This is an important middle grade graphic novel about a family whose home and small farm is burned during an Oregon wildfire. The fire was caused by kids shooting fireworks in the forest. They move to Portland, but 8th-grader Juliana is sad about not being able to bring her goats, and she's experiencing PTSD flashbacks from the fire. She joins a conservation club to make friends and learns about climate change.
I did like this, but it's a bit one-note. It's really important for kids to learn about climate change, don't get me wrong, but I like fiction to have a bit more too it. However, I'll still be reading this to my daughter when she's a bit older!
I did like this, but it's a bit one-note. It's really important for kids to learn about climate change, don't get me wrong, but I like fiction to have a bit more too it. However, I'll still be reading this to my daughter when she's a bit older!
May 28, 2024
At first, this book seems primarily about climate change, specially how that impacts wildfires. But as you get into it, it covers grief and anger and how you could process those emotions. It doesn’t get too deep and the primary focus is climate change but it does cover quite a few topics related to losing things in a wildfire and starting over.
I think it’s a great read for everyone. I took about an hour to read. The graphics were great and really added to the emotion of J was experiencing. There were a few factual errors (like the Forest Service doesn’t have Park Rangers) but I would definitely recommend it.
If you were impacted by the 2020 Oregon fires or any wildfires, take care in reading this. After I was finished, I had to process some emotions I wasn’t expecting.
I think it’s a great read for everyone. I took about an hour to read. The graphics were great and really added to the emotion of J was experiencing. There were a few factual errors (like the Forest Service doesn’t have Park Rangers) but I would definitely recommend it.
If you were impacted by the 2020 Oregon fires or any wildfires, take care in reading this. After I was finished, I had to process some emotions I wasn’t expecting.
November 27, 2025
This is a very important middle-grade graphic novel that deals with climate change and processing all the emotions that come with grief. It's not super fast-paced, but it informs kids about climate change in an interesting and engaging manner and follows developed characters. I loved all the art and colours!
August 31, 2024
A very sad but very important junior graphic novel about the reality of wildfires and the devastating results for many who lose their homes.
October 25, 2023
Excellent story with interwoven facts that don't feel preachy or forced.
November 20, 2024
Bought for my 4/5th grade ELA classroom library.
Really enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel focused on the impact a reckless act has on a community.
When a wildfire (ignited by a classmate’s reckless use of fireworks) destroys Juliana’s home in rural Oregon, she and her family are forced to move to Portland. There, she joins her school’s conservation club, turning her anger into action.
Themes of community, conservation, family, friend and forgiveness. Highly recommend!
Really enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel focused on the impact a reckless act has on a community.
When a wildfire (ignited by a classmate’s reckless use of fireworks) destroys Juliana’s home in rural Oregon, she and her family are forced to move to Portland. There, she joins her school’s conservation club, turning her anger into action.
Themes of community, conservation, family, friend and forgiveness. Highly recommend!
December 2, 2023
Very relevant and interesting graphic novel about a wildfire that destroys much of a small town, including Julianna’s entire home. The family moves to Portland to start over and Julianna doesn’t want anyone to know her experience. New friends, a conservation club at school, processing trauma, and finding forgiveness for the old friend who actually was part of starting the fire. Great middle and upper elementary read with strong and thought-provoking content.
July 16, 2024
This is my favorite book of the year so far; a stunning graphic novel featuring an important message that will be felt by readers of all ages!
August 24, 2023
8th Grader, Julianna, and her family face a tragedy. She loses her house to a wildfire.
The vibrant colors added to the bold art style with thick lines are great for this story, showing us organized single panels but also amazing full double pages with educational illustrations of the story, scenery, family, and friendship relationships. The illustrations are also very clear when for the teacher's lectures on climate change.
A violent wildfire caused by irresponsible actions claims too much from this family. We accompany Julianna's family, as they barely have time to gather a few things and escape. It is a tense and emotional moment but the pressing hour requires practicality. They end up moving to Portland readjusting their lives to a new routine, Julianna to a new school, and without much time to process feelings. There is shame, sadness, and anger to be dwelt with but bottled up. And she has to deal with the fact that one of the kids who may have caused the fire is in her school too.
This is a journey of healing (acceptance and forgiveness), not only for the family, but for the planet with activism (protests) and action (tasks), and the entire family gets involved although in different ways.
The graphic novel has a good pace and I could feel how frustrated Julianna dealing with so many changes and trying to make sense of it all. What I love the most is how the author shows her growth by making her aware of her responsibility in this large task which is to save our planet. The reader feels that responsibility too. It motivates and empowers us.
A perfect graphic novel for teachers, librarians, and educators to explore. Has so much relevant content regarding the environmental crisis and it's easy to understand in about 288 pages. Points out many of our mistakes as humans sharing this planet, but also shows many examples of positive acts that can be taken. We should all be doing our share. I recommend this project to every human being.
Explores themes such as community, family, friendship, and environmental issues. Teaches us how to contribute from an individual point of view to the governmental level: action and law. Spreads awareness of the damage already caused to the planet. Reenforces activism. Focus on healing with forgiveness, acknowledgment of crime, restitution, asking for help, accepting help, mental balance, and honesty.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this Arc. This opinion is my own and honest.
The vibrant colors added to the bold art style with thick lines are great for this story, showing us organized single panels but also amazing full double pages with educational illustrations of the story, scenery, family, and friendship relationships. The illustrations are also very clear when for the teacher's lectures on climate change.
A violent wildfire caused by irresponsible actions claims too much from this family. We accompany Julianna's family, as they barely have time to gather a few things and escape. It is a tense and emotional moment but the pressing hour requires practicality. They end up moving to Portland readjusting their lives to a new routine, Julianna to a new school, and without much time to process feelings. There is shame, sadness, and anger to be dwelt with but bottled up. And she has to deal with the fact that one of the kids who may have caused the fire is in her school too.
This is a journey of healing (acceptance and forgiveness), not only for the family, but for the planet with activism (protests) and action (tasks), and the entire family gets involved although in different ways.
The graphic novel has a good pace and I could feel how frustrated Julianna dealing with so many changes and trying to make sense of it all. What I love the most is how the author shows her growth by making her aware of her responsibility in this large task which is to save our planet. The reader feels that responsibility too. It motivates and empowers us.
A perfect graphic novel for teachers, librarians, and educators to explore. Has so much relevant content regarding the environmental crisis and it's easy to understand in about 288 pages. Points out many of our mistakes as humans sharing this planet, but also shows many examples of positive acts that can be taken. We should all be doing our share. I recommend this project to every human being.
Explores themes such as community, family, friendship, and environmental issues. Teaches us how to contribute from an individual point of view to the governmental level: action and law. Spreads awareness of the damage already caused to the planet. Reenforces activism. Focus on healing with forgiveness, acknowledgment of crime, restitution, asking for help, accepting help, mental balance, and honesty.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this Arc. This opinion is my own and honest.
May 11, 2023
A fantastic graphic novel about a young girl named Juliana and her family whose home is destroyed by a wildfire. They must relocate from their home in the country south of Salem to Portland, where the backyard is barely big enough for their goats. Still grieving the loss of her home and her chickens (RIP), Juliana joins her new school’s conservation club, hoping to find some solace in helping the environment. But to Juliana, climate change isn’t the only thing behind the wildfire that upended her life – the real culprits were a bunch of kids who played with fireworks. One of those kids, her ex-friend Carson, has also moved to Portland, and is now in the same school as Juliana – he even has the gall to join the same conservation club! How is Juliana supposed to find solace in her new life after losing everything to the fire?
I lived through the awful Oregon Wildfires in 2020 - we had to flee our home at 2 AM because the fires were literally burning down the road. Wildfire really captures that awful feeling of frantically going through your house, picking which things you want to keep and which things you’ll have to leave behind – gathering up your frightened pets and any precious heirlooms worth saving…Unlike Juliana’s family, we at least had time to snap some quick pictures of the inside of the house for our insurance before we left (if you live in an area prone to wildfires, PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE FIRE SEASON HITS. Document, document, document!). I’d never been so scared before in my life. But we were lucky – our house was fine; firefighters quashed the fire down the road before it got too close. But not everyone was so lucky. And now, every summer I get this horrible sinking feeling: how bad will the fires be this year? As a kid, I would remember smelling wildfires in the summer, but they were always a far-off, infrequent thing. Now, it’s all the time, and it’s all due to climate change. With climate change, these wildfires keep getting worse and worse. Though a bit heavy-handed at times, the climate change information sections of this graphic novel were absolutely essential – kids need to know what’s up. Climate change is heating the planet and it’s making these wildfires worse and worse and worse.
In all, Wildfire is a must-read middle grade graphic novel for anyone who has ever experienced a wildfire, whether it was down the road or hundreds of miles off. I would definitely recommend this book to any kid living in the American West right now
.
Remember, children: DON’T PLAY WITH FIREWORKS. Especially not during fire season (aka all seasons).
I lived through the awful Oregon Wildfires in 2020 - we had to flee our home at 2 AM because the fires were literally burning down the road. Wildfire really captures that awful feeling of frantically going through your house, picking which things you want to keep and which things you’ll have to leave behind – gathering up your frightened pets and any precious heirlooms worth saving…Unlike Juliana’s family, we at least had time to snap some quick pictures of the inside of the house for our insurance before we left (if you live in an area prone to wildfires, PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE FIRE SEASON HITS. Document, document, document!). I’d never been so scared before in my life. But we were lucky – our house was fine; firefighters quashed the fire down the road before it got too close. But not everyone was so lucky. And now, every summer I get this horrible sinking feeling: how bad will the fires be this year? As a kid, I would remember smelling wildfires in the summer, but they were always a far-off, infrequent thing. Now, it’s all the time, and it’s all due to climate change. With climate change, these wildfires keep getting worse and worse. Though a bit heavy-handed at times, the climate change information sections of this graphic novel were absolutely essential – kids need to know what’s up. Climate change is heating the planet and it’s making these wildfires worse and worse and worse.
In all, Wildfire is a must-read middle grade graphic novel for anyone who has ever experienced a wildfire, whether it was down the road or hundreds of miles off. I would definitely recommend this book to any kid living in the American West right now
.
Remember, children: DON’T PLAY WITH FIREWORKS. Especially not during fire season (aka all seasons).
May 31, 2023
3.5
Note that I am not the age audience for this!
This graphic novel is super relevant and perfect for middle school readers especially since climate change is such a hot button issue. The beautiful visuals and text are simple to follow and digest. My only critique is that the book leans more towards educational and informational—there is a rather large information dumping disguised as dialogue throughout. I wish the author/illustrator created a more seamless transition from educating to Julianna’s story. I think as humans we resonate more with emotional arcs than large spouts of facts.
Note that I am not the age audience for this!
This graphic novel is super relevant and perfect for middle school readers especially since climate change is such a hot button issue. The beautiful visuals and text are simple to follow and digest. My only critique is that the book leans more towards educational and informational—there is a rather large information dumping disguised as dialogue throughout. I wish the author/illustrator created a more seamless transition from educating to Julianna’s story. I think as humans we resonate more with emotional arcs than large spouts of facts.
September 2, 2023
What a great graphic novel to demonstrate how turning anger into action and creating change is both healing and empowering. This book is emotional and inspiring. #bookposse
June 30, 2023
There is a very unfortunately timely message in this graphic novel that kids definitely need to learn. The art style is cute and I liked the story overall. However, the dialogue just does not sound like how kids talk. I know I am not the age of the target audience, but I work with kids in many capacities as a high school teacher and swim coach of all ages in addition to having nieces, nephews, and cousins ranging from babies to entering high school and none of the kids in my life speak this way. It drew me out of the story a bit but I still do think this is a valuable message and story. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
July 9, 2024
3.5. Some aspects of this graphic novel are too moralistic or simplistic (we can all make a difference! - even though something like 70% of emissions are caused by 100 companies) but I appreciated it for how it explained climate change using understandable analogies for kids. I think the best parts of this book is how the author/illustrator incorporates anger and grief and how each family member’s reaction is varied to losing their house to a fire. It’s also about acceptance and forgiveness and activism. There are nice familial relationships and friendships.
Want to read
May 13, 2023Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
October 28, 2024
Los que llevais siguiendome desde hace tiempo sabeis que siempre que hablo de las novelas graficas de esta editorial digo dos cosas. Una son ideales para sacarte del bloqueo lector. Y dos todas tienen una bonita enseñanza para los más peques. Cosa la cual los hace ideales para que los más peques se inicen en la lectura.
November 6, 2023
The message is important, but it was so front and center that the story felt a little didactic. Still, kids passionate about climate change or those that like animals might be into this activist graphic novel.
June 24, 2024
Great recommendation for Earth Day!
4.5 stars, helpful ideas for kids (and adults) on ways to take action in the face of climate change.
4.5 stars, helpful ideas for kids (and adults) on ways to take action in the face of climate change.
December 31, 2025
3.9! A girl named Julianna loses her home and belongings in a wildfire set off by some kids she knew. She moves from the countryside of Oregon to Portland for a new start. On her first day of eighth grade, she discovers Carson, her ex-friend that set off some of the fireworks that caused the fire, is at her new school and Julianna struggles with adjusting to her new home, school, and rebuilding her belongings. After being invited to her school's conservation club by some new friends of hers, Julianna learns that there are multiple ways to give back to the planet and to work through her feelings.
I thought some of the climate change parts were info-dumps and a little bit lecture-y, but I guess in-character Julianna complained about that too...so. Some of the climate change explanations take you out of the story a bit, but they do clearly explain to readers what climate change is and tangibly show through the storyline different ways to care for the environment - writing letters to representatives, volunteering, picking up trash, planting trees, helping animal care places, going to protests, etc. I think this book does a wonderful job of showcasing ways to care for the planet (environmental activism), ways humans harm the planet, and why taking care of the planet is important.
I think my favorite thing about this work is the portrayal of Julianna's different emotions and the portrayal of complex relationships. She wrestles with grief, anger, panic, and struggling to adjust to change. We see her anger at Carson and the kids who started the fire, and her insistence on blaming them for most of it. We see her grief in mourning all she has lost and feeling guilty that she is grieving. We see her avoidance and denial in not wanting to talk about it. We see her pain and sadness in remembering the fire and having nightmares/panic attacks/being overwhelmed about it. We see her mentioning getting a therapist and feeling uneasy about it but knowing she has to talk to someone. We see her wrestling with forgiving Carson. I really enjoyed seeing her parents take initiative in talking to Julianna about her feeling overwhelmed at the protest and how her parents acknowledged that it is right to grieve and that they could have been open in their feelings too to show the kids that it is normal and healthy to grieve and to work through change. It reminds us that adults are not perfect, but that they can also help us. I also appreciated the positive teacher-student relationship between Julianna and Ms. Sanchez (club advisor) in her helping Julianna and showing compassion towards her.
Representation - Carson has a rough family life (yelling stepdad), Ezra's Black, Em and Ms. Sanchez are Latinx, a protester wears a hijab. Not a huge fan of the way people are portrayed but I do like how the nature scenes turned out - I think the illustrator is gifted in drawing redwoods and plants! The conservation club entrance scene had me oohing at the change in environment from the rest of the school - it signaled it as special, and I love how it ends with a similar beautiful scene of their gathering.
A book about wildfires, climate change, environmental activism, loss/grief, anger, forgiveness, and relationships.
I thought some of the climate change parts were info-dumps and a little bit lecture-y, but I guess in-character Julianna complained about that too...so. Some of the climate change explanations take you out of the story a bit, but they do clearly explain to readers what climate change is and tangibly show through the storyline different ways to care for the environment - writing letters to representatives, volunteering, picking up trash, planting trees, helping animal care places, going to protests, etc. I think this book does a wonderful job of showcasing ways to care for the planet (environmental activism), ways humans harm the planet, and why taking care of the planet is important.
I think my favorite thing about this work is the portrayal of Julianna's different emotions and the portrayal of complex relationships. She wrestles with grief, anger, panic, and struggling to adjust to change. We see her anger at Carson and the kids who started the fire, and her insistence on blaming them for most of it. We see her grief in mourning all she has lost and feeling guilty that she is grieving. We see her avoidance and denial in not wanting to talk about it. We see her pain and sadness in remembering the fire and having nightmares/panic attacks/being overwhelmed about it. We see her mentioning getting a therapist and feeling uneasy about it but knowing she has to talk to someone. We see her wrestling with forgiving Carson. I really enjoyed seeing her parents take initiative in talking to Julianna about her feeling overwhelmed at the protest and how her parents acknowledged that it is right to grieve and that they could have been open in their feelings too to show the kids that it is normal and healthy to grieve and to work through change. It reminds us that adults are not perfect, but that they can also help us. I also appreciated the positive teacher-student relationship between Julianna and Ms. Sanchez (club advisor) in her helping Julianna and showing compassion towards her.
Representation - Carson has a rough family life (yelling stepdad), Ezra's Black, Em and Ms. Sanchez are Latinx, a protester wears a hijab. Not a huge fan of the way people are portrayed but I do like how the nature scenes turned out - I think the illustrator is gifted in drawing redwoods and plants! The conservation club entrance scene had me oohing at the change in environment from the rest of the school - it signaled it as special, and I love how it ends with a similar beautiful scene of their gathering.
A book about wildfires, climate change, environmental activism, loss/grief, anger, forgiveness, and relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2023
A middle grade graphic novel about recovering from disaster. Julianna's family lost their home, almost all of their possessions, and some of their animals in a wildfire. As a result, they've moved from their country home, where Julianna could raise goats and chickens and be very active in her local 4-H chapter, to Portland, where they only have a cat, the goats live far away, and there is no 4-H. This alone would be difficult to recover from, except that Julianna knows who caused the fire. She has somebody to direct her anger towards. But, as is pointed out several times, the careless kids who accidentally caused the fire didn't create the situation that made the fire possible.
The heart of this book is the emotional journey of Julianna, as she navigates her anger, sense of loss, embarrassment, and trauma. Her reactions are very realistically portrayed, and she's really sympathetic. I think she'd be relatable not just for kids who have experienced material loss, but by any young reader. There's also a lot of infodumping about global warming. Fortunately, these dumps come in relatively small chunks, at places that make narrative sense. Julianna joins a conservation club at school, which naturally leads to a lot of discussions about global warming. Her family also has conversations about global warming and protesting that fit seamlessly. Speaking of the protests, I liked that Bard showed that protesting isn't the only or even a necessary part of taking direct action.
I don't really think this book will be changing many minds, but it will be good at explaining the issue of global warming, and how global warming affects wildfires specifically, to receptive young readers. And it's wrapped in an emotionally resonant story with a relatable main character, which will make those lessons easier to digest.
The heart of this book is the emotional journey of Julianna, as she navigates her anger, sense of loss, embarrassment, and trauma. Her reactions are very realistically portrayed, and she's really sympathetic. I think she'd be relatable not just for kids who have experienced material loss, but by any young reader. There's also a lot of infodumping about global warming. Fortunately, these dumps come in relatively small chunks, at places that make narrative sense. Julianna joins a conservation club at school, which naturally leads to a lot of discussions about global warming. Her family also has conversations about global warming and protesting that fit seamlessly. Speaking of the protests, I liked that Bard showed that protesting isn't the only or even a necessary part of taking direct action.
I don't really think this book will be changing many minds, but it will be good at explaining the issue of global warming, and how global warming affects wildfires specifically, to receptive young readers. And it's wrapped in an emotionally resonant story with a relatable main character, which will make those lessons easier to digest.
September 8, 2023
3.5 stars ⭐
I want to first thank the publisher, Little, Brown and everyone else that was involved in supplying ARCs through a giveaway here on Goodreads. I was fortunate enough to have been sent an ARC, and it was my absolute pleasure to read this middle-grade graphic novel, Wildfire, written and illustrated by Breena Bard. My deepest apologies that my review was not posted on release day! I had some extenuating circumstances that came up. So instead I will say, happy release week!
One of the first things that stood out to me within Wildfire is the dynamic between Julianna and her family, especially as they navigate the unknown after a wildfire takes away their home. With that comes a myriad of challenges that I as an adult can't imagine having to deal with, let alone two kids. I thought that the way both kids reacted felt appropriate for their ages and would likely be very relatable to the target audience. I also appreciated the way that the adults in Julianna's life seemed to have very healthy and affirming conversations about grief, loss, and all the feelings that can come with that.
Intertwined with the process of Julianna's family forging a new path through all the uncertainty, there are also discussions about climate change and the impact we all as human beings have on our planet. This is done in a very digestible way, showing some of the simple but effective ways we can all better help our planet. I think this would set a great example for young readers who are interested in making a difference but aren't quite sure how.
With a straight-forward and bold art style, the artwork within the graphic novel is a great companion to the story itself. I think that young readers will find a lot to love in this one!
I want to first thank the publisher, Little, Brown and everyone else that was involved in supplying ARCs through a giveaway here on Goodreads. I was fortunate enough to have been sent an ARC, and it was my absolute pleasure to read this middle-grade graphic novel, Wildfire, written and illustrated by Breena Bard. My deepest apologies that my review was not posted on release day! I had some extenuating circumstances that came up. So instead I will say, happy release week!
One of the first things that stood out to me within Wildfire is the dynamic between Julianna and her family, especially as they navigate the unknown after a wildfire takes away their home. With that comes a myriad of challenges that I as an adult can't imagine having to deal with, let alone two kids. I thought that the way both kids reacted felt appropriate for their ages and would likely be very relatable to the target audience. I also appreciated the way that the adults in Julianna's life seemed to have very healthy and affirming conversations about grief, loss, and all the feelings that can come with that.
Intertwined with the process of Julianna's family forging a new path through all the uncertainty, there are also discussions about climate change and the impact we all as human beings have on our planet. This is done in a very digestible way, showing some of the simple but effective ways we can all better help our planet. I think this would set a great example for young readers who are interested in making a difference but aren't quite sure how.
With a straight-forward and bold art style, the artwork within the graphic novel is a great companion to the story itself. I think that young readers will find a lot to love in this one!
October 26, 2023
Julianna and her family live in a wonderful home in rural Oregon where they keep chickens and goats as pets. It's been a dry year, and when Julianna spots some kids from school playing with fireworks in the woods, she warns them about the possibility of starting a fire. But, they don't listen, and the fire that follows is devastating. Julianna's family is forced to flee in a hurry, taking what little they can. Their home, and everything in it is destroyed.
Many months later, the family has relocated in Portland - a world away from the life Julianna loved so dearly. Now she's in a new school, trying to make new friends. To make matters even worse, one of the boys who started the fire is there, too. Can joining the school's conservation club help Julianna cope with all that has happened?
In my opinion, this is a middle-grade graphic novel done right. The characters are believable, and their tense situation is becoming, sadly, a much more frequent occurrence. Julianna and her family work through their issues together by both talking and taking action. The author tells a compelling story while subtly giving kids suggestions for simple things they can do to help save the planet.
I highly recommend this book be included in classrooms and school libraries.
Many thanks to Little Brown Books and NetGalley for sharing this one.
Many months later, the family has relocated in Portland - a world away from the life Julianna loved so dearly. Now she's in a new school, trying to make new friends. To make matters even worse, one of the boys who started the fire is there, too. Can joining the school's conservation club help Julianna cope with all that has happened?
In my opinion, this is a middle-grade graphic novel done right. The characters are believable, and their tense situation is becoming, sadly, a much more frequent occurrence. Julianna and her family work through their issues together by both talking and taking action. The author tells a compelling story while subtly giving kids suggestions for simple things they can do to help save the planet.
I highly recommend this book be included in classrooms and school libraries.
Many thanks to Little Brown Books and NetGalley for sharing this one.
November 14, 2024
Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family's home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn't interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can't seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school's conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change--and how that action can be different for each of us.
Me (w/o book) Julianna and her family lose their home when boys set off fireworks and wildfire breaks out. Acres destroyed, including their farm. Have to move to city, give up having animals. Carson, who had been her friend, ends up at her school. How should she treat him?
Conservation club helps her feel less powerless, and she lobbies for chickens (or goats?) in their backyard.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family's home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn't interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can't seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school's conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change--and how that action can be different for each of us.
Me (w/o book) Julianna and her family lose their home when boys set off fireworks and wildfire breaks out. Acres destroyed, including their farm. Have to move to city, give up having animals. Carson, who had been her friend, ends up at her school. How should she treat him?
Conservation club helps her feel less powerless, and she lobbies for chickens (or goats?) in their backyard.
July 2, 2024
Very cute graphic novel for kids. Talks about the scientific aspects of climate change and how everyone can help.
“Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family’s home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can’t seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school’s conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change—and how that action can be different for each of us.”
“Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.
She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened...a wildfire destroyed her family’s home.
In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.
All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can’t seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school’s conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.
Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change—and how that action can be different for each of us.”
December 6, 2023
A perfect graphic novel for young readers to understand climate change, global warming, and how pollution affects our Earth. Not only does it explain to children how important it is to respect rules, but also seeing the consequences of one's action through examples of wildfires where thousands of people lost their homes and plastic usage where a turtle was found looking like an hourglass because they had the plastic rings for beer cans/sodas around them since birth. The author helped illustrate how scary the world would be if people do not start making a difference, through protesting the very people sitting in our government offices to raise awareness and actually push organizations to go green.
What I especially find quite interesting is that the author also shows how one can subconsciously be feeling after losing their home. Although it may visually seem like Julianna is trying to be ok with her current situation, she eventually broke down and really poured out all the feelings she's bottled in since the incident. The author really did a great job showing how it can really mess with someone mentally and to really be serious about bringing a change to our world.
What I especially find quite interesting is that the author also shows how one can subconsciously be feeling after losing their home. Although it may visually seem like Julianna is trying to be ok with her current situation, she eventually broke down and really poured out all the feelings she's bottled in since the incident. The author really did a great job showing how it can really mess with someone mentally and to really be serious about bringing a change to our world.
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