Paradise on Fire
on Goodreads (1,381)
What’s inside...
From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change. Addy, haunted by a fire that killed her parents, joins a summer wilderness program with other Black city kids. They learn crucial survival skills and depend on each other for safety. When a devastating forest fire strikes, Addy must confront her past and lead her friends to safety, utilizing her street smarts, wilderness skills, and spiritual intuition. Not all are saved, but Addy's resilience and teachings from her grandmother help her survive. The book has received recognition as a BCALA 2021 Best of the Best Book and a Cadmus Children’s Fiction Award for the Green Earth Book Award winner.
Age
9-10
Length
247 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Addy
Deshon
Tal
Jay
Nessa
Ebony
Discussion points
How do you think Addy feels when she's sent to the wilderness camp, and why?
What are some ways Addy adapts to her new environment, and what can we learn from her resilience?
The fire in the story is both literal and symbolic. What does the fire represent, and how does it impact the characters?
How do the friendships in the book change and develop throughout the story, especially under challenging circumstances?
What does the wilderness teach Addy about herself and her past, and how does it help her envision her future?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they would feel in Addy’s situation to help them connect personally with her experiences.
Discuss the importance of adaptability and resilience illustrated in the book, relating it to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Explore the symbolic meanings in the story together, enhancing your child's analytical thinking about the themes of survival and growth.
Encourage your child to talk about their friendships and how they might handle difficult situations with peers, drawing parallels to the relationships in the book.
Reflect on the healing aspect of nature with your child, discussing how personal challenges can sometimes lead to self-discovery and change.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Addy, showcases resilience through her battle with personal trauma and external hardships. Despite being orphaned by a fire and facing another raging wildfire while at a camp, Addy remains determined and strong.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that regardless of the difficulties they face, strength and perseverance are key to overcoming them. This teaches them to keep pushing forward during tough times in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the story, Addy learns the importance of working together with others to achieve common goals, especially seen when the campers must unite to escape the wildfire.
Real-World Application: This emphasizes the value of collaboration to children. It teaches them that teamwork can often be the best solution in crisis situations and encourages them to seek and offer help when needed.
Example Lesson: Environmental awareness and conservation
Explanation: The wildfire in the story highlights the broader issue of environmental degradation. Addy’s journey brings attention to the impact of human actions on nature and the importance of environmental conservation.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be mindful of their environment and learn ways they can help in preserving it, mirroring actions like recycling, conserving water, or learning more about local flora and fauna.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diverse backgrounds
Explanation: Addy's background as a young Black girl who has lost everything and faces socioeconomic challenges illuminates themes of empathy and cultural diversity.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and appreciate people from different backgrounds and circumstances, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Addy’s confrontation with the wildfire and her past traumas shows her courageous spirit in facing her fears head-on, which is pivotal for her survival and growth throughout the novel.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the vital lesson that facing their fears, no matter how daunting, can lead to personal growth and overcoming obstacles in their lives.