Review: Spark

Spark

by Chris Baron

Feiwel & Friends (imprint of Macmillan), 2025

Category: Middle Grade

Reviewer: Laura Schutzman

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

Writing about wild fires is not a new concept. What makes this novel in verse unique is the sensitive writing and descriptions that Chris Baron includes in his story. It begins with Phineas Katz (aka Finn), and his friend Mirasol (aka Rabbit) putting hidden trail cameras in the local California forest to monitor animals. They create a field journal to document their observations, especially as the drought spreads and affects the flora and fauna. When the small brush fires begin to spread and change the landscape, Finn and Rabbit are determined to document everything, even as they escape from a massive wildfire with their lives. 

The story is divided into segments that document the progression of the destruction, beginning with the “spark” in the air, the fast and destructive power of fire, and the aftermath of fire. Each section is beautifully descriptive, and is written in a way that a middle grade reader would understand. The story naturally includes scientific information about fire and about how human building choices affect the level of fire danger.

While Finn and his family are escaping from the fire, he recounts the tale of his Great Grandfather Phineas, a Holocaust survivor, and how he left everything behind to create a new life in America. While Finn’s Jewish identity is not integral to the story, his connection to his family’s history affects all of his actions. The family lights Shabbat candles and makes the blessing on the challah, even when they are refugees. There is also a Jewish counselor, Mr. Finkel who wears a kippah and is outwardly proud of his Judaism. The Holocaust survivor mentality is helpful to understand this book, but anyone can relate to the refugee experience and starting over.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REVIEWING BOOKS FOR THE SYDNEY TAYLOR SHMOOZE? CLICK HERE

 

Reviewer Laura Schutzman is a Jewish Librarian at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. She is an active member of the Association of Jewish Libraries as publications chair and book reviewer. She was previously a member and committee chair of the AJL Jewish Fiction Award Committee.