Cover Image: Out of the Fires

Out of the Fires

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Member Reviews

Out of the Fires teaches about a community needing to recover and being resilient. A fire has destroyed the main character's home and community. The book shares drawings and coping strategies to help readers get through a similar natural disaster when things are hard.

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A child-friendly approach to healing from trauma, Out of the Fires is a diary-style story about a young boy's experiences coping after a wildfire destroys his neighborhood. The story models coping and healing strategies without being preachy. The story ends on a hopeful note and would be a great resources for children and caregivers.

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"It's easiest to be angry… it's hardest to be sad…" Some of the thoughts of a regular kid made (temporarily) homeless from Californian wildfires. This of course both is and isn't about such specific disasters, for it looks at the mood of anyone displaced, shocked out of their norm and removed from the status quo by tragedy. And in fact the child isn't correct here, for he's just not thinking of being happy again, which – when it comes, alongside the can-do spirit of others, proves the resilience of all involved. The fireweed has a growth spurt, the sun shines on jolly days again, and what hasn't killed us made us stronger. There's just enough entertainment here to prove this not merely the Book With A Purpose, but while this isn't the most riveting narrative the journal feel of things here and the look it gives at someone caught up in such a fire also has a newsworthiness to make it really worth having to hand. A strong four stars.

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I received this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Out of the Fired is a book that should be in classrooms. It is a book that deeply reflects a reality many children are facing more and more every summer her in Canada and year-round in other countries.

The trauma that children are feeling with displacement, uncertainty, and the loss is something that tends to be forgotten as children always seem to bounce back. Out of the Fires helps children (and their parents) identify emotions and place some coping mechanism that they can use.

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Thank you to the author, Magination Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book is an amazing resource for our times. As climate change continues to impact our world and unleash devastating wildfires, floods and other natural disasters, we often forget about the price paid by the people hit with these events. This story is about a boy dealing with the aftermath of a fire in his neighborhood - it retells some of the events, but in a gentle and caring way, and looks at how life can go on after everything you knew is gone. The book includes drawings and news clippings to give a sense of place, and I love that it has an appendix with strategies on how to deal with challenges, and lists of where to find additional resources.

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A very important book that my classroom will love to read. It has good topics for the kids to talk about with me and I think more people need to read this.

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Such a great journal to help students who have encountered trauma related to fires etc. definitely beneficial for students.

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Thank you, American Psychological Association, for the advance reading copy.

This is a much needed book! I forgot it’s supposed to be read and used as a journal but as it turns out it is a journal of how one tries to cope when a natural disaster happens.

I find the contents quite endearing as I find it quite helpful and comforting as well.

Let’s not look for what must be there but let’s try to see how we can make the best of what we get during such times. This book is all about this.

The illustrations are so good!

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This exceptional children's book comes from the author's personal experience with how her family and town recovered after devastating wildfires. Although she did not lose her home, she worked closely as a therapist with community members who had lost everything, and this book explores the emotions of a young boy who is dealing with the aftermath of a wildfire.

The text seems like something a kid would plausibly write, and the doodle illustrations are cute and engaging. The author clearly represents her character's thoughts and feelings, and his initial reluctance to talk about his emotions or engage in group therapy at school is very realistic. Even though this a short, fast read, his growth over time feels authentic, and the message of resilience feels honest instead of forced.

This book will help and encourage kids who are going through similar traumas, and I am very impressed with how well the author captured a realistic voice in this journal. It could have easily devolved into therapy-speak and adult reflections, but it never did. This seemed real, and is clearly informed by her work with kids. I highly recommend this book to people who need it, and would encourage school and public libraries to have it on their shelves.

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This was a great book to read. The book is about a boy who is dealing with the aftermath of a fire in his neighborhood. I loved that the book included drawings, news clippings, strategies on how to deal with challenges, and additional resources.

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Thank you NetGalley and American Psychological Association, Magination Press for the copy of Out of the Fires!

I highly suggest purchasing this for caregivers or people working with youth. Out of the Fires reminded me so much of "social stories" that I use at work. Although this book covers a specific subject, I found that the topic around resilience and emotion regulation can be applicable to other difficult or sensitive topics. The illustration, short sentences, worksheet, and additional resources were well done!

Highly, highly recommend this!

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Thank you NetGalley and American Psychological Association, Magination Press for accepting my request to read and review Out of the Fires.

Author: Carrie Lara
Published: 7/4/23
Genre: Children's Fiction

A current writing generated as a result of the catastrophic fires consuming homes. This book is broken into several parts. The exact number escapes me (4-5?). However, the parts play a huge role dividing the fears, how to communicate your feelings, how to interpret your feelings, and understanding everyone is different. I was truly impressed with the presentation of the information. I was not a fan of the cover; perhaps it means something psychologically.

With absolute respect to the beautifully done inside, I feel like the cover looks like junk mail. I have a list of what it shouldn't be: brightly-colored, Mickey Mouse, etc., and no suggestions.

I would not have a problem gifting or recommending as a gift to groups, especially with kids. I think the need is wide spread and the techniques can be used on all catastrophic events. I would like to see an insert on how to implement for parents, teachers and caregivers.

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In the aftermath of tragedies such as wildfires that destroy homes and even entire neighborhoods; or floods that drown them out, it is good to have help emotionally and mentally for one and all, even for children. This is why I believe this children's ``book, although labelled as fiction, would be a great boon for children overtaken by such scenarios. It's good for them to know that when they are scared and have angry feelings and so on, that there are safe ways to express them as revealed in this book, and they can move through and out the other side of horrendous natural disasters with resiliency.

I feel that this book is written in a very caring, tender manner and will definitely be healing salve for hurting hearts. There are ideas for coping, such as with emotions, self-care and helping others. There's a list of additional resources that could be of help for those caught in traumas and their fallout.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/ Blogger~

November 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the Publisher.

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Thanks #Netgalley and the American Psychological Association for providing this book for review. All opinions are mine!

I will definitely be adding this one to my classroom library. This is a story about the resilience and strength of a girl as she navigates life and feelings after a fire destroyed her home and town. The art is cute and compliments the story well.

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