Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes (author)

‘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

WINNER OF THE GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD

From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age survival tale set during a devastating wild 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 programme. 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 furious forest fire …

From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change.

Cadmus Children’s Fiction Award winner for the 2022 Green Earth Book Award