From the Publisher
April Henry's YA mysteries have collectively been awarded over fifty state honors and awards.
Playing with Fire:
"Inspiration abounds, though, as the teens work together, making this read adventurous as well as satisfying." —Booklist
"Well written and undeniably, regrettably relevant given the inevitability of future West Coast conflagrations." —The Bulletin
The Lonely Dead:
"Taut and suspenseful, with a hint of the supernatural. [Henry’s] clear, lucid prose and well-paced action scenes make for a fast, accessible read . . . Hand to anyone in search of a page-turner." —Booklist
"Henry delivers a compelling thriller that weaves supernatural elements into a topical tapestry of loss, betrayal, and family drama. A thriller that manages to be both creepy and fun." —Kirkus Reviews
The Girl I Used to Be:
Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Young Adult Mystery Novel
An Edgar Award for Best YA Nominee
A Texas Lonestar List Selection
"Henry has done it again with another edge-of-your-seat mystery/thriller. Recommended for middle school and high school mystery/thriller/suspense collections and for April Henry fans." —VOYA, starred review
"A must-have for YA mystery-thriller collections." —School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
2020-10-12
A group of strangers searches for a path to safety as a forest fire encroaches on them in this adventure thriller.
Natalia and Wyatt, two teens from Portland, Oregon, venture on a short hike which goes awry when a fire breaks out, blocking the trail. Wyatt’s wilderness experience and Natalia’s aspirations to become a doctor prove to be boons for the people they encounter and join forces with as they are trying to escape. These include a family—Ryan, Lisa, and their toddler, Trask; a man called Darryl and his grandson, Zion; Beatriz and Marco, a young couple; an older woman named Susan; and two men, AJ and Jason. In an escalating accumulation of bad luck that strains credulity, the group members in turn experience extraordinary injuries, health problems, and psychological challenges during the ill-fated journey. Natalia struggles with tragic events from her past that are explained in several interspersed flashbacks. The fast-paced action described through Natalia’s anxious but practical third-person voice will initially hook readers, and for those able to suspend their disbelief, it may carry them through the novel. However, the shallow presentation, particularly of the secondary characters, may lessen the title’s appeal. Natalia and Wyatt seem to be White by default; there is ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.
A frantic and harrowing but predictable tale of group dynamics and survival. (Thriller. 12-18)
