Wildfire (A Graphic Novel)

An inspiring and moving graphic novel, Wildfire follows climate change through the eyes of one middle-school girl, who’s eager to turn her anger into action.

Julianna loved her life in rural Oregon.

She loved taking care of her farm animals and being part of her local 4H club. But then the unthinkable happened…a wildfire destroyed her family’s home.

In the aftermath, her family relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Julianna hopes to put everything behind her. Believing the fire to be the result of kids playing with fireworks, she certainly isn’t interested when her parents and younger sister start getting involved in the growing climate change protests.

All she wants to do is move on, but that becomes near impossible when Carson, an old friend from her hometown who may have had a hand in starting the wildfire, is suddenly back in her life. Julianna can’t seem to catch a break, but when two new friends invite her to join their school’s conservation club, she learns that maybe she can turn her anger into something powerful.

Emotional and inspiring, Wildfire shows readers that healing from tragedy can take many forms and demonstrates what it means to take action in the face of climate change—and how that action can be different for each of us.

• Praise for Wildfire: 
  
  A Booklist Best Book of the Year
• *"Timely messaging surrounding conservation efforts and the catharsis that a supportive community can bring permeate this gripping graphic novel."
  Publishers Weekly, starred review
• *"Bard offers an important book about the many effects of climate change and the varied ways people can take action against it, coupled with a compassionate depiction of a tween dealing with genuine grief and anxiety. The heartfelt tone comes through the superb, expressive artwork beautifully, especially in moments when Julianna flashes back to the fear she felt as the fire approached. Climate anxiety is a real concern for many kids, especially those who have experienced wildfires first hand, and this thoughtful comic will surely ring powerfully true."
  Booklist, starred review
• "A compassionate, action-focused story about climate justice, relationships, trauma, and healing."
  Kirkus Reviews
• “By giving the wildfires and their victims a face, Bard helps make urgent issues from the headlines relatable to young readers…and compelling as well. And by giving environmental activism a face, she helps educate children on what they can do to impact the enormous challenges facing their generation."
  School Library Journal
• "A vibrant and attention-grabbing story kids won't be able to turn away from. A perfect firework of a book."
  Ira Marcks, author of Shark Summer and Spirit Week
• "Loss, grief, resilience, forgiveness, and our rapidly heating planet—Wildfire is a modern tale about what it means to be a climate refugee, but above all, it is a story of hope that will inspire collective action."
  Aron Nels Steinke, Eisner Award-winning author of the Mr. Wolf’s Class series
• "Like a forest after a burn, Wildfire is a thoughtful reminder that things don't end after loss, it's just a time for regrowth. How we choose to do that is up to us."
  Jonathan Hill, author of Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy
• "Breena Bard’s Wildfire is a grounded, graceful story about the losses we face — some more acutely than others — from a changed environment. Bard excels with warm, natural dialogue and a careful attention to place. A lovely book."
  Jonathan Case, author of Little Monarchs