Fire! Fire!

Annette Lindsay was a special education teacher in Toronto.

The heroine of Fire! Fire! is a young Indian teenager who has joined a crew of forest fire fighters. They admire her spunk and ability, but her immediate superior, Good Boy, maligns her efforts, calling her “girlie” and the even more insulting “squaw.” In an attempt to belittle her even further, Good Boy chooses her as his partner in fighting the next fire. Their antagonism culminates in anger and outright hostility. The resentment quickly dissipates when they suddenly are forced to cope with a hotspot that could lead to a full-scale blaze.

The story moves quickly as the two battle a much bigger fire than they had anticipated. It is Good Boy’s decision that has propelled them into this furnace, which results in a fight for survival. They are surrounded by fire on all sides. The pair decide there is no means of escape other than digging a hole and burying themselves until the fire burns itself out. The plan works, and they escape with their lives and the beginning of understanding and friendship.

The book is one of several in the Series Canada editions Collier Macmillan offers to students. Like the others in the series, it will appeal to junior school children and to the more reluctant older reader. Teachers’ guides are available, allowing the stories to be readily adapted to use in English courses. The writing is fast-paced and informative.

The author incorporates many issues relevant to today’s society, such as women’s rights, native rights, and problems of school drop-outs. Moreover, he manages to achieve this in a non-pedantic fashion. This book will be enjoyed by a wide range of young people.