This is the second novel by Chris Baron that I’ve read, but the first in verse, and what a treat! Like, it’s largely a serious story that bravely excavates some big feelings and mental health issues. I found it incredibly easy to get lost in this story, though. A couple times, I had to pause and just breathe.

In the story, Finn faces some scary situations. Afterward, he experiences some symptoms of PTSD. I remember experiencing some of the symptoms he described. Those lines took me back to those moments– it felt like the kind of observations that had to come from someone who’d been through what Finn felt.

It’s also such a hopeful story, and that’s so important. Wildfires and the threat of them is terrifying. What can one person do in the face of such a huge fire or a serious threat? Baron’s characters explore these questions themselves and look for ways they can help their families and community. They celebrate a connection with nature that others don’t always understand. As they continue sharing their hope and passion, others begin to listen and forge their own connections with the natural world.

I loved that the story faces hardship head-on but remains so focused on hope. I can’t think of anything we need more than stories that take our kids fears and experiences seriously and make space for those things but also remind us to be hopeful and remind us how powerful a little hope can be.

Expect to see Spark on end of the year favorites lists. It’s so worth reading.

Perfect for fans of tense, survival/adventure stories like Alan Gratz, Lauren Tarshis and also Alone by Megan Freeman. I think readers of Pax would also appreciate this story.

Spark tells the traumatic story of a wildfire and its aftermath. Finn and his friends are driven from their home from a fast spreading wildfire. When they return about a month later some things are the same, but still everything seems different. Finn, his parents, his friends, and his community are all trying to deal with the tragedy and the trauma in their own ways, which sometimes puts them at odds with each other. Finn's friend Rabbit, especially, is determined to save their forest by trying to prevent further development that could alter the environment and balance even more. Finn learns about friendship, resilience, and himself throughout this story. As a novel in verse, it will feel accessible to less eager readers, and the story will keep all readers wanting more.

Spend some time talking to kids and you’ll discover that they are passionate about and willing to work hard for things that are important to them. The forest is important to Finn and Rabbit for a number of reasons. In this powerful novel in verse the forests they love are constantly threatened by fire and these kids are ready to do something about it! Whether you love the outdoors, novels in verse, or just a story about strong-willed characters, then this book is for you.

It only took a few sparks to ignite a fire that grew to cover a vast area. But two nature loving youngsters manage to find a spark of hope in this brilliant story in verse. Chris Baron explores both the physical destruction of the forest and encroaching construction and the psychological toll on the people effected. The use of verse captures the wonder of observing the animal life and the devastation felt by the victims. His story explores both the causes of wild fires and some of the things that can be done to help solve the problem.

This fantastic story has a lot of diversity in the characters. The main character is Jewish and so is his teacher. His best friend is a Pilipino American. Although their cultures are explored to some degree, their backgrounds do not figure as major plot points. However the friend with a mom in in a wheelchair and another friend with asthma do show some of the extra hardships experienced by disabled people in a disaster,

This middle grade novel is a must read for any child who has felt powerless and wished that they could find a way to make a difference.

This middle grave novel in verse is for your young nature lovers. Finn and his best friend Rabbit are obsessed with nature, especially after their small town is ravaged by wildfires. They’re dedicated to do whatever they can to “save the forest!” and help foster in a new season of regrowth.

The characters are so well done, the story balance well between action and introspection. The messages of saving our planet and facing adversity with resilience are great.

I found myself confused at parts while reading. The novel in verse is a tricky format, and I think some things were not always explained and the action sometimes jumped from scene to scene. All dialogue is in italics instead of quotation marks, so I had to really pay attention when a character began speaking or when a conversation was happening. Although novels in verse are touted as great for struggling readers, this one may need to be for readers with stronger comprehension because of the inference skills needed.

3.5 stars rounded up

Author Chris Baron has written a moving story that pulled me in immediately. I identified with the suspense felt by the neighborhood residents as they carried on with their lives hopeful that the nearby wildfires would stay away and I loved the subplot with Uncle Charlie, teacher and environmentalist. While Spark is a middle age book, I found myself emotionally engaging with the plight of Rabbit and Finn as they try to save their beloved forest from the effects of climate change. And I felt deep sympathy for the mental health of the characters as their neighborhood is engulfed in flames requiring evacuation. Spark brings the desperate need for climate change mitigation to the forefront in a story that's engaging and heartfelt.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This sweet novel deals with the hardships that families face when natural disasters, such as the California wildfires, sweep through their area. Told in verse, in a style that looks like diary or journal entries, this will bring to life these experiences for those that haven't experienced them, and help develop empathy for others. Meanwhile, those that have endured this unique type of displacement and the grief that accompanies it will feel seen and heard in this novel. It's written simply enough to be read by as young as 2nd graders and will likely appeal to students through 5th and maybe 6th grade.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for allowing me to read Spark by Chris Baron in exchange for my honest review. #Spark

Finn and Rabbit are best friends, adventurers, and, more importantly, recent survivors of the fires that destroyed their town. After the fire, everything changes; school no longer feels the same for Finn. He doesn't want to pick up his field guide and write in it anymore. He barely feels like himself, but he holds it together for his best friend, Rabbit, who is also falling apart. She lost her dog, Thorn, before the fire, and he still hasn't turned up. On top of that, one person is talking about building a baseball stadium and houses on the recently ashen grounds of their favorite park. Read more to find out what happens.

This powerful novel in verse is timely and a must-read.

A novel in verse focusing on an all too common event in the United States: devastating forest fires.

Finn and his parents live in Redwood Hollows, a rural California area. Rabbit (Marisol) is a best friend who shares his concern with the environmental effects caused by the frequent fires, especially what is happening to animals and plants in the forest. But what can two kids do to help?

When another out of control fire gets too close, everyone is forced to evacuate leaving homes and belongings behind. Finn’s family stays with his aunt in another California community farther away from the danger. Meanwhile, Rabbit’s beloved dog is missing but her family flees to find safety in Texas.

These two continue to communicate and discover evidence of what may have started the fire via Rabbit’s trail camera they had set up. The main focus of this engaging story though is on evacuation, rebuilding and the effects of life turned upside down for all residents.

Reading this revealing story gives you a deep understanding of wildfires and how climate change is causing their increased frequency. Equally important is the spark of hope a community feels thanks in part to Finn and Rabbit. SPARK is an important novel, one that will appeal to middle grade readers of all ages.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: SPARK by Chris Baron

1. Finn is a good student and his voice carries the story so well.
2. PTSD is discussed as their substitute teacher virtually connects with the students and has them talk about what they are going through emotionally. Such an important component to healing and one Finn realizes he also needs.
3. The author based the story on his own experiences living in California which result in a much deeper reveal for the effects of wildfires.
4. How builders of new projects are often blind to the interaction of their projects and the environment. Working together is the answer that brings positive results.
5. Firefighters and evacuation strategies are the heroes in making everyone feel safe.

Powerful and emotional, action-driven novel in verse telling the story of California wildfires. I particularly appreciated the author’s note detailing how he came to write the book from his own experiences with wildfires.

This book was absolutely beautiful! I marked so many lines in this novel in verse story. I know a lot of my students will love this story. I’m excited to share this as a recommendation to them because it is truly a beautifully written book.

Great read for a middle-grade audience. Puts us right in the middle of a forest fire, effectively, dramatically but without unnecessary terror . I have unfortunately lived through being evacuated for a fire, and this felt very true to life. A good read for any student in the west, or for those concerned about what climate change is doing to our natural environment.

Chris Baron’s Spark is a beautiful novel in verse that captures the quiet power of two kids trying to heal their home and themselves after a wildfire.

Perfect for reluctant readers, environmental units, or anyone who’s ever felt small in the face of something big, this story is both timely and timeless.

Wow! Spark, a novel written in verse, about fires that ravage an area and take people’s entire homes to ashes is as intense as you would imagine. This story is written with beautiful sentiments and feels equally as daunting and terrifying as it does hopeful for rebuilding and regrowth. This is one I will add to my school library, will bring up as potential for state reader’s choice awards and battle of the books, and will definitely be book talking and hand selling for checkouts. I am thankful that Chris Baron brings stories into the world.

A very timely novel that will surely capture the attention of middle readers. Written in verse, the pacing of events never lags, and heavy topics are handled with honesty and care. An author's note touches on the wildfires in California and how real transformations are taking place in our landscape through climate change. I could easily see this title being adopted for middle school curricula.

I got to hear about this book months ago, when Chris Baron kindly met with some of my students on World Read Aloud Day. They were very excited to read this book, and I can't wait to share it with them! This is a story about friends, about a community, and about how all of our actions are like ripples in a pond. It only takes a spark to start a fire - which is what happens when a small community among the redwoods of California have to evacuate during a terrible forest fire. Finn and his friend Rabbit are devastated at the loss of forest and habitat, and push back against new construction near the forest's edge. But as they work through their trauma, they also discover that a spark of hope can also create change. Told in verse, Chris's lyrical writing is right at home, telling the story through imagery and emotion.
My favorite poem is called Hope:
"...Hope is pine cone scales/ opening wide,/ the seeds flying off/ into the wind.
Hope is oak saplings/ coming to life/ somewhere out there/ in the ashy earth.
Hope is walking/ in the forest with Rabbit/ imagining any second/ we will discover/ something new.
Hope is believing/ that the ones you love/ love you back,/ even when you can't see them.
Hope is having/ enough faith/ for someone else,/ even when you might/ not have enough on your own.

I'm so grateful I got a chance to read this ahead of time. It is a timely message of hope that is very much needed right now.

Another beautiful book from Chris Baron! The raw emotion of this book feels so timely and I think it will really resonate with young readers, especially those who care about the environment. The scene where the family flees the fire still gives me chills to think about. The book also inspired me to take emergency preparations myself, which I think Mr. Baron would appreciate! I know that kids and grownups alike will appreciate this one when it releases. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.

Finn lives in a rural area that is hit by wildfires. This is a coming of age novel in verse sharing how difficult it is to rebuild and move forward.

Finn and Rabbit’s story had my mind swirling and my heart aching. As I read, I composed my own poems of hope and home. I loved this story of hurt, healing, and kids making a difference.