Name: Wildfire
ISBN: 9781338266917

Rodman Philbrick

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick sends readers straight into the nightmare of a raging wildfire as 12-year-old Sam is trapped by explosive flames and deadly smoke that threaten to take his life. Can he survive?

Wildfire

Jeni Enjaian

I find this book perfect for middle schoolers who crave adventure. That's not me. I did not particularly enjoy this book. However, I did not find that Philbrick did a bad job with the narrative. Because the book moves so quickly and makes its mark as an escapist adventure (outrunning a wildfire...hence the name) Philbrick lacks time in the narrative for character development. He includes just enough to get a young reader interested in the character but not enough for someone to really dig their teeth into and study, something I particularly enjoy doing. If I still taught ELA (English Language Arts) I would put this book on my shelves as an option for many of my reluctant readers.

Thirteen-year-old Sam Castine is at summer camp while his mother is in rehab, but when the camp is evacuated ahead of a fast moving wildfire, he makes the mistake of going back for his phone, and finds himself left behind, disoriented, and running for his life, together with a girl, Delphy, from a different camp--finding an old jeep keeps them going, but in the wilds of Maine, there are only logging roads and the deadly crown fire is everywhere.

When Trees Explode

Lynn Braden

Sam Castine is at summer camp while his mother is in rehab for opioid addiction. His father was killed three years before in Afghanistan. When the fire starts, Sam is determined to get his phone before leaving camp because he has to let his mother know that he is all right, but by the time he heads back to the bus from his cabin, the fire has blocked his path and he must run for his life. Alone in the woods, he meets Delphy who was away from her camp when the fire started. Together the two must find a way to survive the fire or die trying.

Throughout Wildfire, Sam is aided by advice his father gave him about life in the outdoors, making it almost seem as though his father was helping him along the way. Choices and decisions are emphasized as Sam and Delphy search for a way to survive the devastating wildfire. Overall, a good story of survival in the midst of tragedy.

Wildfire

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