Controlled Burn
by Erin Soderberg Downing
Twelve-year-old Maia's parents say she's lucky she noticed something as early as she did. Lucky to have smelled the smoke, lucky to have pulled her sister, Amelia, out of their burning house. But is it really "lucky" when Maia knows it was her candle, left unattended, that started the fire in the first place?
When she's sent to spend the summer with her grandparents in northern Minnesota while her sister recovers in the hospital, Maia discovers that her anxieties and demons are intent on following her wherever she goes...unless she can figure out how to overcome them. But what if she can't? What if she's too scared to accompany Grandpa Howard on his daily motorcycle rides out to the middle of the woods, where he spends all day keeping watch for forest fires? Or even to help her chatty nin-year-old neighbor get all of his Bear Scout badges?
But Maia will soon learn that nature is a powerful teacher, and sometimes our greatest strengths show themselves when we have to be there for someone else. As Maia begins to figure out how to face her guilt, she'll discover there's a fine line between fear and adventure. And when danger strikes again, Maia must summon all her bravery and overcome her self-doubt if she wants to save those she loves most.
PB
Canoe Trips
Canoe Trips
