“To know yourself, you need to journey.”
“Soar, Adaugo, soar.”
Paradise on Fire
Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Now, years later, Addy’s grandmother has enrolled her in a summer wilderness program. There, Addy joins five other Black city kids—each with their own troubles—to spend a summer out west.
Deep in the forest the kids learn new (and to them) strange skills: camping, hiking, rock climbing, and how to start and safely put out campfires. Most important, they learn to depend upon each other for companionship and survival.
But then comes a devastating forest fire…
Addy is face-to-face with her destiny and haunting past. Developing her courage and resiliency against the raging fire, it’s up to Addy to lead her friends to safety. Not all are saved. But remembering her origins and grandmother’s teachings, she’s able to use street smarts, wilderness skills, and her spiritual intuition to survive.
Honors
Recognition and Accolades awarded to Paradise on Fire
2022
Blueberry List
Evanston Public Library
2022 – 2023
Volunteer State Book Award Nominee
Volunteer State Book Award
2021
Best of the Best Booklist
Black Caucus American Library Association
Praise
Words of praise for Paradise on Fire from the press and authors
Los Angeles Times
“The book does heroic work in connecting global forces to local reality…Addy is a heroine any reader might aspire to be, a teenager who learns to trust her own voice and instincts, who realizes that fire can live within someone, too.”
New York TImes
“…a brilliant melding of captivating storytelling and crucial teaching moments.“
Shelf Awareness
Press
Interviews and articles on Paradise on Fire
2021
New York Times Review
NYTimes.com
2021
Paradise fire, Northridge earthquake and Hurricane Katrina inform this author’s work
DailyNews.com
2021
New Novel Inspired By Arizona Wildfires
KJZZ.org
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