Catastrophic fires grab the headlines, but the historic villainization of fire ignores indigenous and scientific knowledge of its ecologic importance. Eight chapters of background information and current best practice help put the horror in context - giving students the means to understand how citizens and governments can seek to address increasingly destructive wildfires. Text is broken up by photographs, maps, emboldened headers, highlighted snippets, and full-page asides on various topics, including cultural legends. While many of the anecdotes feature California, information on other parts of the country, Australia, Africa and South America are included. Climate change is a recurring theme. In depth coverage of historic and current Native peoples’ practice is centered. Particularly welcome is the refreshing acknowledgement of scientific disagreements. Backmatter includes timeline, glossary, source notes, an extensive selected bibliography, multi-media online resources, index and photo acknowledgement. Thanks to Twenty-First Century and NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy in return for an unbiased review.

We’re trying to find the balance between a research interest in natural disasters and an unhealthy fascination with all things catastrophic and this was a very good find for that. The 9 year old read this immediately - truly, I could not download the e-galley quickly enough - and was full of facts for weeks afterwards. I appreciated that this book provided a different perspective on wildfires as being an integral part of an ecosystem, and something that can be initiated in a controlled way for various purposes. This feels like the kind of book that can potentially influence interests in a productive way, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the 9 year old wants to follow this read with. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my (and my three young readers’) own.

An excellent comprehensive look at fire, its history and dangers, and how it holds the potential to heal or harm our forests, grasslands, and bush lands. Clearly written with headings, pictures, and captions that enhance the text, this could be used for research or as a comprehensive read for those dedicated to the topic. Includes a timeline, glossary, sources, and an index. Great for middle school collections.

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