This book was close to the author's heart as she had grown up in Paradise, California which was destroyed in the Camp Fire a number of years ago. No doubt this book was well in the works well before the even more recent and devastating California fires. She is able to portray not only the loss of lives and personal proberty, but the loss of an entire community. Some may be critical that the story incorporated too many issues such as dementia and addiction, but I think it was a realistic sharpshot of what many teenager's face today. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

The book follows 17 year old Caprice, who is an aspiring app developer working on a project that highlights the best spots in her hometown, Sierra, CA. Everything seems to be looking up for her and her family: her app has a local funder, her brother has returned home from rehab, and a new love prospect has entered her life. the first third of the book counts down to the day of the fire. When the fire happens, Caprice moves through a state of shock, which Youngdahl brings to life through interrupted and non-linear narration, as well as Caprice’s mental blackouts and anxiety/ panic attacks. In the days and weeks that follow, Caprice and her family work to figure out what a future looks like for each of them. Youngdahl doesn’t shy away from the tension between Caprice and her mother, her parents reaching for their own coping mechanisms, and the teenage spiraling as Caprice figures out what this means for her social and love life.

By far by favorite aspect of this book is the device of the “catalog of burnt objects” that Youngdahl weaves through the book. Presented like case reports, these sections list the object that is missing, the place, and the owner of the object, followed by a narrative from that character about the meaning of the object. This brings the story outside of Caprice’s perspective and creates a collective voice for the town of Sierra. In what is lost, we learn about the stregnth of memory and spirit of each of the town’s members.

Caprice, at 17, is smart, and independent. Her older brother is and alcoholic, her father is absent, and her mother isn’t really there. Her Grandfather is always there for her though. As she starts her senior year in high school, her brother comes back home from rehab. Caprise is planning for her furture when a fire rips through her town.

In “A Catalog of Burn Objects”, Shana Youngdahl touches on so many intense parts of life such as love, addiction, recovery, aging grandparents, and loss.
Growing up in Southern California, fires were always in the back of my mind. Even living in the Texas Hill Country I have a go bag packed in case one breaks out nearby. Fires are the worst, I read this book with a small ball of anxiety in me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Books

What a wonderful step back in time to a place I inhabited as a young woman. Caprice owned these pages and with a voice and writing style that truly spoke to my inner teen and she drew me into her world in all its emotional chaos and family dynamics and held me close. I feel as if I have made a new friend and shared her world experiences, however there is a wonderful quality to youth that allows the young to stand tall in the face of adversity and grow stronger still because of it. Caprice reminds me of a seed from a giant redwood, her full strength would not be realized and the power of her spiritual breath would not be seen if not for the fire that allowed her sprout and claim her place.

As a an older reader, I was impressed with Youngdahl's writing and her ability to share Caprice's story in a way that make me feel as if I was teen again. But I am not the target audience, no matter how much I saw myself reflected here. Stepping back and thinking to what I longed to read as a teen and reflecting on what I hear teens commenting on around me, I can see this story being one that truly reflects the reality that this generation isexperiencing. This book would be a great summer read for anyone, but I truly feel this is a book teens need in this moment when resiliency, love, compassion, and endurance are the mixed up hallmarks of their generation. Caprice's story is one that will allow many to process the confusing mix of feelings that is life in the 21st Century.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
I devoured this book.
It was amazing, addictive, and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A CATALOG OF BURNT OBJECTS by Shana Youngdahl

Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the earc (Mar 18)

When Caprice's brother returns home, she wants nothing more for things go back to normal---for her family to be okay, or as okay as they can be. As things start looking up for her: working on her app, rekindling a relationship with her brother despite how she feels, and falling in love, a wildfire strikes her hometown leaving her confused, worried, and unsure about her future.
A CATALOG OF BURNT OBJECTS was a fast-paced read that I flew through in under a day. With it's coming-of-age, contemporary vibes, it makes for an emotional read.
This book was gripping and left me giddy, sad, relieved, all the emotions rolled into one. The characters were likeable for the most part...they each had their faults, but honestly that made them more human, which in turn made this book more realistic.
I want to say: this reminded me of LIES LIKE WILDFIRE by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, which was neat because I liked that book. This book is also something relevant to today's times, the tragedies that so many have endured with countless wildfires. 10/10 would recommend.

Too much. I could not get into this book at all. A sarcastic high senior experiencing first love, a new kid with gay moms, an immature older brother home from rehab, a high achieving black best friend, a hippie mom, a meat and potatoes grandpa, a grandma with dementia, and then wildfires hit their town and wreak havoc. Now, none of these things are bad. All are fine. All, individually, have the potential to make a great story. But together they are like a soup with no broth. There is so much happening that you cannot focus on anything.

Due out March 18!

In the wake of this year's fires here in Southern CA, this was at times a really tough read.

Caprice, at 17, is smart, independent, and strong willed. She's grown up with an alcoholic older brother, absentee father, and checked out mother. Her grandma has been moved to a memory care facility and often doesn't remember her. Thankfully, Caprice's grandpa is always there for her.

Finding new footing with her brother home from rehab and the start of her Senior year in HS, she's creating an app for visitors to her town, with her bestie Alicia and new-to-town romantic interest River when wildfire takes over their town.

The grief and blame and sorrow ... I didn't need quite so many IFS, but I felt the emotions were so well written. And the ending was satisfying.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

3. This book is trying to take on too much, weaving so much together wears on the readers. I think the fire and complete destruction of a town is plenty. The author added young love, addiction, recovery, the effects of dementia on elderly relatives, girl techies, loss, blame, and on and on. It’s just a lot. Also, the exposition is long. There needs to be editing to balance pacing. I enjoyed Beckett and Gram the best. The main character got on my nerves. Anyway, there’s some nice details and good characters.

"A Catalog of Burnt Objects" is a powerful story about identity, family, tragedy, and forgiveness. Told in a unique writing style, we follow Caprice's journey after her older brother returns from rehab.

While I did enjoy some of the coding themes throughout the writing (IF...THEN...), I can't quite put my finger on why I struggled with the pacing of this one. I wanted to see how things turned out for Cappy and Beckett, I found myself putting this one down multiple times before truly finishing it. I think it works as a YA novel and maybe I've just outgrown the genre, but I wanted a little more development between Cappy and her brother and also more about what happened before he left. As others have said, it did feel a little surface level and left me wanting more.

Overall, I think this is a touching story that will help middle grade readers feel heard and less alone. Thank you for the ARC!

Shana Youngdahl's "A Catalog of Burnt Objects" is a beautifully crafted young adult novel that intertwines personal struggles with the collective trauma of a devastating wildfire.

The story follows Caprice "Cappy" Alexander as she navigates the pressures of her senior year of high school while grappling with her brother Beckett’s recovery and her own dreams of escaping her small town of Sierra, California. The early revelation of the wildfire creates a simmering tension throughout, making the unfolding events even more impactful.

Youngdahl’s narrative structure is both innovative and poignant, incorporating archival entries of objects lost in the fire to highlight the broader community’s loss. This element not only enhances the emotional depth of the story but also ties seamlessly into its conclusion, expanding the scope beyond Cappy’s individual journey. The relationships in Cappy’s life—with her family, her best friend Alicia, and her crush River—are written with warmth and authenticity, adding layers of richness to the character-driven plot.

With its compelling pacing, vivid characters, and thoughtful exploration of resilience in the face of disaster, "A Catalog of Burnt Objects" is a moving tribute to those living under the constant threat of wildfires. Shana Youngdahl’s empathetic storytelling captures both the pain of loss and the strength found in community, making this novel a standout in contemporary young adult literature.

"A Catalog of Burnt Objects" is hopeful and heartbreaking. 17-year-old Caprice is dealing with a lot. She's trying to get her app off the ground, her brother just returned from rehab, and it's her senior year of high school. In the midst of all this, she's falling for the new boy in town. Then a wildfire tears through her home of Sierra, CA.
Drawing from the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise, CA and the pain of losing her home, Youngdahl has written a beautiful novel. Every word is intentional, and Youngdahl’s writing style so vividly captures Caprice's pain and hope. The characters of this novel are complex and real. The emotions are visceral. The scenes feel like you're there alongside Caprice.
An absolutely incredible book all around that is both a gut punch and heartwarming.

[arc review]
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Catalog of Burnt Objects releases March 18, 2025

Set in Sierra, California, we follow the life of high school senior, Caprice, as she navigates grief, first love, the return of her brother, and a destructive wildfire that sweeps through her town.

Climate fiction, grief, and complex family dynamics surrounding addiction are all things I highly enjoy delving deeper into and being introspective of as a reader, however, little of this book actually worked for me.
The first half of the story felt too low-stakes, and it seemed like the rebuilding of trust between siblings took a more cautious approach in favour of prioritizing a romantic plotline.
I found it very difficult to be invested in the characters due to how surface-level the story came across, and the way Caprice often spoke in code by way of “IF… THEN...” was not my cup of tea.

What really stuck out to me were the little details, like deliberately choosing to have characters smoke cigarettes on top of severe smoke inhalation and in the worst air quality possible, as well as the ease in which characters broke the anonymity of AA and sanctity of the 12-step program, both of which I found to be highly irresponsible traits.

I can see the potential here, and while I appreciated the community aspect with the various accounts of lost items that tied into the book’s title, the execution just wasn’t for me.

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl is a thought-provoking young adult novel of family, relationships, and loss of community.

Seventeen-year-old Caprice is about to experience unanticipated highs and lows after her brother Beckett returns from rehab. Although she is happy he is home, she is reluctant to believe he will remain sober. Caprice also embarks on a new romance with newcomer to town, River. And she is overjoyed when her best friend Alicia returns home from music camp. With the fall season, school begins as do the high winds and dry conditions that eventually bring a catastrophic fire that will challenge Caprice in many unexpected ways.

Caprice is a wonderful young woman whose life has been chaotic because of Beckett’s alcoholism. She is coder who is writing an app that celebrates her hometown. Her friendship with Alicia is endearing and their interactions are entertaining and heartfelt. Beckett’s return is fraught as he tries to restart his life in a town with long memories. River is a great young man who is quite charming and perfect for Caprice.

A Catalog of Burnt Objects is a fast-paced and engaging young adult novel. The various characters are vibrantly developed and likable. The small town of Sierra is vividly drawn both before and after the devastating and tragic fire. The storyline is compelling with sensitive subject matter that is deftly handled. Shana Youngdahl brings this marvelous young adult novel to a realistic conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Shana Youngdahl's debut was one of my favorite reads a couple years ago, and when I heard about this book I couldn't wait to read it! And it lived up to my expectations.

I have to admit, I just experienced the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, and reading this book was almost cathartic in some ways. I really like how Youngdahl was able to depict the hellscape devastation of wildfires and also weave in a coming of age love story at the same time. Cap is a very real, intelligent, kind main character. I enjoyed her programming language to make sense of the world around her. I also thought Beckett, River, and Alicia were fantastic characters.

I enjoyed the vignettes from the catalog of burnt objects. It was a cool way to quickly depict the emotional hurt from losing things in a fire. And I thought there was care with talking about Beckett's recovery process. Overall I really liked this and would recommend it.

A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl is a beautiful but heartbreaking look at life, love, and the obstacles that are thrown in our way.

While perhaps geared for young adults and/or high school age readers there is a lot here for those who can connect with a well-rounded character even if of a different generation. I am several generations past the protagonist and found myself thinking about the big picture topics she faces (as well as what the rest of the townspeople face). Yes, she is also falling in love and in a, well, teen way (imagine that!) but the storytelling doesn't let the novel become so full of teen angst in the sense that an adult with empathy, and a memory of their own youth, can't still enjoy it and relate.

I found the interludes (from the app Caprice ended up developing) quite moving. They were placed near where we learned something about the character writing it and could see how that person felt about other people in the town and about the town itself. Those sections usually made me tear up. Yes, I can be sappy, but this was more because I could relate very well. I lost most of what I owned in Katrina and some of the most valuable to me were the things without much monetary value. That said, anyone who remembers things from their past that they no longer have, no matter the reason, will relate. The first art or shop project your child brought home that somehow has been lost in moving. The small gift from a grandparent that didn't mean as much when you were 10 but would mean the world to you at 60.

I would recommend this to readers who aren't put off by a teenager as the protagonist, especially since so much of what she is dealing with is not age-specific but human-specific. So if you're human you'll be able to relate to this story without feeling you're reading some teenage melodrama.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

A Catalog of Burnt Objects is a love story of many kinds and a reflection of the terrifying, heartbreaking events of Paradise, California, where the author grew up. It's a tale that looks at what is lost and discovers what remains, telling how a family can be nearly destroyed again and again, and still survive.

Burnt Objects is also a story of family, friendship, addiction, and young love. Parts are heartwrenching and others are hopeful. I loved Caprice's first love, named River. (Great names!) I also loved the cute and clever names of the stores and restaurants!

On the downside, the book had quite a unique format, which wasn't what I expected or particularly enjoyed.

Having said that, Burnt Objects is a moving story of how to survive when so much has been lost.

Thank you, #DialBooks, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. It has an expected publication date of March 18, 2025.

#Family #Friendship #YoungLove #Fire

This is a timely book, with the LA fires so recently happening. The author was living in Paradise, CA at the time of the 2018 fires, so this story seems very true to life.
Caprice (Caps) lives in Sierra, CA with her parents, her (recently returned from rehab) brother, and next door to her Gramps. Gram is in a care facility with dementia. Caps is leery of Beckett's recovery, and is waiting for a shoe to drop. She is also working on an app that is her ticket out of Sierra. Her best friend is helping her, while trying to decide about her own educational path as a piano prodigy. There is also a boy... Just when it seems like everything will be okay, a wildfire starts that takes over Cap's small town and forces everyone to reckon with their own trauma.
This is a moving portrait of what is lost and what remains once everything is burned away.

awesome story about a natural disaster and family bonding against a backdrop of substance abuse. 5 stars. tysm for thea rc.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A YA novel about a coding girl, her addict brother, and their hometown that is devastated by a fire.