Things That Burn

by A.M. Rogers

It’s a hot, dry summer in Harper’s hometown in Southern California. Things are heating up at home, too. Harper lives full-time with firefighter father. But he’s expecting a new baby with his new wife, and Harper feels like the odd person out. The only time Harper feels okay is when she’s on stage―pretending to be anyone but herself. When a wildfire breaks out nearby, everything shuts down. Now Harper’s stuck with her stepmom at home, waiting for her father to return home alive. As her world starts to burn, Harper has to decide how to act―and hope it makes a difference.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2022

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things That Burn is a beautifully written YA novel-in-verse with lots of heart. The story is told from the POV of Harper, whom I found to be a sympathetic protagonist. This book tackles a wide range of themes such as being a child of divorce, family, friendship, environmentalism, wildfire devastation, angst and belonging. Despite being a quick read that I finished in one sitting, it was all very well-balanced and packed quite the punch.

Thank you to West 44 Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read poetry, I tend less towards these novels-in-verse as and instead focus on literary collections, so I am not necessarily the audience for this book, but I've read quite a few in consideration of my classroom library. (Long Way Down felt successful in this genre.)

There's something about reading a book in less than an hour that feels a little unsatisfying--the whirl of quick plot and loss of things like figurative language, muscularity, beauty in words--felt like I could have just read a short story. I'm not sure what makes an author decide between the two, though I understand there is something about audience and marketability.

I do know some students will reach for this book rather than one that is filled with prose, a concept that makes me appreciate this work. It might not be for me, but that doesn't mean it is a failure for its work.

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, quick read, but calling it a novel-in-verse is a stretch. It's a short story just formatted to look like poems. Typically, each poem in a novel-in-verse will be a new scene etc., most of these poems could've been connected - written in normal prose - and it would just read like one scene/paragraph.

If I ignore the choice of formatting, it was fine. It wasn't mindblowing or super gripping, but it was an enjoyable enough read.

[Character Building Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things That Burn is a contemporary YA novel about one girl’s journey through her parents’ divorce, her father’s remarriage, and her desire to find her own place in life.

Harper loves acting, Audrey Hepburn, and her memories of her life before her dad remarried, before her parents split, before she became an outsider in her own life. When her new stepmother gets pregnant, Harper feels even further outside the perfect family her dad is creating.

As Harper grows angrier and more alienated from her family, her only source of hope is Dakota, her friend who shares her love of acting and seems to have the confidence to speak up when Harper does not. When a wildfire breaks out, Harper’s dad is called out to battle the fire, and Harper is left with her stepmom. As the fire creeps closer, they have to evacuate, and Harper’s stepmom goes into preterm labor. Harper is faced with two paths: protect the family she has or remain locked in her anger.

The quest for belonging is relevant and relatable, and the free-verse format of the novel allows readers to feel Harper’s pain and loss. While the plot comes through loud and clear, so do multiple social issues, like climate change, corporate responsibility for environmental disasters, and LGBTQ+ identity issues. Many YA readers will enjoy Harper’s quest for belonging, but readers should be prepared for the political and social themes that drive much of the story.

[kiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book follows harper as she goes through her parent's divorce, and her father's remarriage, among other things. I liked how quick and fast-paced this book was it made for a lovely afternoon read. however, it was just okay I didn't connect with the characters too much and the plot didn't stand out to me.
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thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a very quick read, I picked it out while I was subbing. I finished it in about an hour due to the format. I love the art of turning poetry into plot, but it lacked emotional substance and the poetry didn’t have purpose. The story and conflict itself is incredibly interesting, and if told through prose I think it could have been more developed.

[Ridley Zarate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book from Netgalley and I'm leaving my honest review.

2.5
Normally poetry is my jam, I like it
But this one... Not so much. It's kind of all over the place and I don't really understand the plot. This has promise but it wasn't for me.

[Ocean Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic novel talking of complex family dynamics, trauma and global warming. This novel kindles a fire like no other.

[Jordan Berdis · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read, the plot is alright