Including Natalia’s backstory adds depth to the story and gives the reader more insight into why the stakes are higher for her when trying to outrun the fast-moving wildfire. Teens will enjoy the quick hook, diverse set of characters, and fast-paced plot progression. 'Playing with Fire starts off with a bang, literally, and the action doesn’t stop until the very end. This is not what Natalia had in mind for her and Wyatt’s first date. During this treacherous journey, the group must use their survival skills to help each other as they encounter wild animals, injuries, and very rough terrain. 'When a fast-moving wildfire traps Natalia, Wyatt, and a group of other hikers, they must do whatever it takes to make it out alive, which means hiking farther into the forest and potential danger. -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books well written and undeniably, regrettably relevant given the inevitability of future West Coast conflagrations.' 'Natalia’s horrifying history with fires is slowly revealed, amping up the already high tension as it becomes clearer exactly why she is as terrified as she is. Inspiration abounds, though, as the teens work together, making this read adventurous as well as satisfying. As the group of strangers try to survive a natural event, Henry employs flashbacks in order to give readers insight into the roots of Natalia’s fear and anxiety. Prolific, best-selling Henry ( The Girl in the White Van, 2020) returns with a novel based on the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. Natalia becomes the “doctor” of the group, helping those that are injured, yet her fears might be the thing that can’t be fixed. The hike is ruined when a forest fire erupts and cuts off her group of hikers, forcing them all to work together to survive and escape. So when her crush, Wyatt, begs her to go hiking in the tranquil Oregon woods, Natalia is reluctant, though she agrees. Haunted by a devastating fire in her childhood, Natalia is afraid of a lot of things: fire, heights, water. Hiking in the dark, they must deal with injuries, wild animals and even a criminal on the lam-all while avoiding the fire racing to catch them.

With no cell service, few supplies, and no clear way out of the burning forest, a group of strangers will have to become allies if they’re going to survive. For months, her co-worker Wyatt has begged her to come hiking with him, and Natalia finally agrees.īut when a wildfire breaks out, blocking the trail back, a perfect sunny day quickly morphs into a nightmare. Now she is cautious and always plays it safe. Six years ago, she barely survived the house fire that killed her baby brother. Natalia is not the kind of girl who takes risks.

Playing with Fire by April Henry