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?
Flames race toward Sam Castine's summer camp as evacuation buses are loading, but Sam runs back to get his phone. Suddenly, a flash of heat blasts him as pine trees explode. Now a wall of fire separates Sam from his bus, and there's only one thing to do: Run for his life. Run or die.
Lungs burning, Sam's only goal is to keep moving. Drought has made the forest a tinderbox, and Sam struggles to remember survival tricks he learned from his late father. Then, when he least expects it, he encounters Delphy, an older girl who is also lost. Their unlikely friendship grows as they join forces to find civilization.
The pace never slows, and eventually flames surround Sam and Delphy on all sides. A powerful bond is forged that can only grow out of true hardship-as two true friends beat all odds and outwit one of the deadliest fires ever.
At the end of the novel, information about wildfires and useful safety tips add to the reader's understanding of one of the US's most dangerous natural disasters.---from the publisher
208 pages 978-1338266900 Ages 8-12
Keywords: wildfire, fire, action/adventure, natural disaster, disaster, survival, friendship, wilderness, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old, If You Liked Downriver by Will Hobbs, If You Liked Hatchet, If You Liked Peak by Roland Smith, If You Liked Trapped by Sigmund Brouwer, If You Liked Trapped by Michael Northrop, If You Liked Deathwatch, If You Liked Take Me To The River, If You Liked Far North, If You Liked River Thunder, If You Liked The Big Wander, If You Liked Getting Air by Dan Gutman, If You Liked Never Say Die by Will Hobbs, If You Liked The Cay by Theodore Taylor, If You Liked Storm Blown by Nick Courage, If You Liked Deep Water by Watt Key, If You Liked Storm Runners by Roland Smith, If You Liked Hurricane by Terry Trueman, If You Liked Shipwreck by Jake Maddox, If You Liked The Raft by Matt de la Pena
Also in this series: Wild Wave; Wild River
Editor's note: short chapters, fast-paced, good choice for reluctant readers and Jokesters
