SPARK is a beautifully-written, edge-of-your-seat verse novel about a town trying to rebuild and move forward after devastating fires destroy everything - this one Is absolutely essential for helping kids understand wildfires and our human impact on the natural world.

In a rural area devastated by wildfires, Finn and his friend Rabbit are concerned about the slow recovery of their beloved forest, where animals and plants haven't returned, and worry about potential future fires. Rabbit's uncle, a science teacher, is involved in a study aimed at forest regeneration, but the impatient boys believe the "forest heart," a small section that survived, might hold the key to faster regrowth. They face the challenge of finding this area and persuading the adults to consider their ideas.

Chris Baron masterfully developed compelling characters and poignantly illustrated the far-reaching impact of wildfires on a community. The story powerfully portrays themes of resilience, bravery, and the strength found in collective action toward a shared purpose.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for this honest review.

Very Chris Baron, with sensitive, well-rounded characters, lyrical writing, and a reverence for nature. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I enjoyed this story. Finn and Rabbit are two kids who love nature thanks to Rabbit's uncle, who is their science teacher. When the wildfires and a construction company threaten their beloved forest, they fight to save the forest. Using trail cameras, they show the town how much wildlife relies on the forest including the return of a wolf pack.

This book really hit home as I have family who just lived through the recent wildfires in California. I really connected with the characters and the fear they felt as they had to leave their house while the fire was burning in their backyard. I liked that the book focused on the enviroment and how important it is to protect it. It also was nice to see these kids fight for what they thought was right and the adults realizing they need to listen to the kids and not just dismiss them.

A timely novel-in-verse about wildfires, trauma, friends, courage, and displacement when wildfires come to Finn and Rabbit’s town. They all have to evacuate and Rabbit’s dog, Thorn, goes missing. When they return, Finn and Rabbit see a small part of the forest survived, and they want to enlist the community to help save it so the animals will come back especially after people see a wolf on their trail camera.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

“Save the Forest.”
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Finn and his friend, Rabbit, are Californians living in a town that has been affected by wildfires. They are passionate about the forest, animals and plants thanks, in part, to Rabbit’s uncle, a science teacher. When another fire destroys their community, Finn and Rabbit respond differently, though both are devastated. When they’re able to return home after evacuating, they believe a small part of the forest—the forest heart—has survived and can be rebuilt. But not every adult is in agreement as to what rebuilding looks like. As these two kids mourn all they’ve lost, they also find their voices to stand up for what they believe.
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Unfortunately this MG book could not be more timely. The wildfires that raged the LA area recently broke all our hearts and those who live in these communities will see so much of their experiences on these pages. @christhebearbaron did a fantastic job of researching, interviewing and learning about people in communities such as these and the unspeakable loss they all had in some form or fashion. This clifi novel is hopeful, but really hit home now more than ever before. P.S. the dog doesn’t die!

CW: fire, homelessness, loss, climate change