This was fantastic. I thought it made climate change and the dangers of not following protocols super accessible and digestible for kids. If you don’t listen to A, B can (and likely will) happen. It featured protesting! And doing right by the planet! And friendship! And all sorts of feelings! THERAPY!

It was such a home run.

We get books sometimes about kids surviving a natural disaster. And if you judge it solely by the cover that's what this appears to be. Instead, Bard is looking at the aftermath of survival. It's all of the ways that life changes after an incident of this sort and the emotional impact it has. We look at adjusting to a new environment and all of the ways taking action after a tragedy can look. Surprisingly nuanced.

Climate Change is an unavoidable topic in this day, and for young people it can be pretty scare. This book gives a relatable perspective on the effects of climate change without inducing a constant state of panic. Its a realistic feeling of hope for readers.

Wildfire is a fantastic middle grade graphic novel. The illustrations we simple, but perfect for the story. While the overall message about fighting climate change was delivered in a very pushy and blunt way the story still stands on its own. Add this to graphic novel collections and hand to readers who are passionate about climate change.

This graphic novel does a great job of combining a story that is so timely about a middle schooler losing her home because of a wildfire with lessons about climate change; by the end of the book, anyone reading will want to make a difference in this world!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy of “Wildfire (A Graphic Novel)” by Breena Bard. I enjoy middle grade graphic novels. The illustrations were fantastic but I found the story a little blah and preachy.

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.

This graphic novel is about Juliana and her family who live in rural Oregon. One day there is a wildfire and Juliana and her family lose almost everything. They have to relocate to Portland and Juliana has to start at a new school. She struggles with feeling angry at the people who started the fire, by setting off fireworks, and being sad about losing her house and pet chickens. Throughout the course of the book we see Juliana grow and learn about climate change. She also learns how to handle her grief and anger.

Overall, I think that this is a great graphic novel that really illustrates how wildfires and climate change can impact individuals as well as the planet as a whole.

Julianna my girl, i’m so proud of you🥲

This is such a light graphic novel that brought “heavy” topic that is climate crisis that caused wildfire that burned the MC’s family house. A little bit heartwarming too.

I loved that this had an important message that was integral to the story and definitely pulled on my heartstrings. The illustrations were super cute. While I enjoyed this, I wouldn't read it again.

This book was so beautifully written and illustrated. I know that my middle school kids will love this book! I think it would be an awesome addition to any classroom library. Climate change is such a hot-button topic right now and this book explains to the next generation of adults and voters that THEY can make a difference! I also think that sometimes we adults forget how much a tragedy affects the younger population and this book reminds us that they too need some extra TLC after such an event! I would recommend that anyone that cares about our planet and our youth read this book! You won be sorry!

This was an interesting read about a young girl dealing with the effects of climate change. I enjoyed that it was set in the PNW, and I know that my fifth graders would connect with the characters in this book and what they are dealing with.

This sweet and simple graphic novel introduces the ideas of climate change and conservation through the lens of a young girl and her family who lose their home in a wildfire started by the girl’s classmates.

The art style is ok. It's nothing amazing, but its not bad. Honestly its simplicity probably allows for a better focus on the story itself.

The story is timely. It tackles climate change, grief, moving on, and how activism can be different for different folks. The messages are great. Sometimes I felt the dialog was a bit too stiff/unrealistic for how kids really do speak. I also had moments where it felt a little beat you over the head. However, I do recognize that I'm not the target audience and perhaps to a younger reader, they need that extra umph.

Overall, I'm presently surprised.

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!

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.

As an Oregonian, this one hits home. It may feel a touch expositiony to adult readers, but when you consider the intended audience, the book does an excellent job of introducing the concept of climate change and the range of actions a young person might take to combat it. Julianna's grief and anger feel very relatable, and the message of hope and forgiveness will likely leave readers ready to make a difference themselves. My small school library in Oregon will definitely be acquiring this one -- I think it'll appeal to fans of Jordan Craft, Lucy Knisley, Shannon Hale, and Vera Brosgol.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read and review!