Fires in the Wilderness

by Jeffery L. Schatzer

It’s the Great Depression, and times are hard. Children are starving. Families are scraping by on government handouts and the kindness of strangers. There is no work to be had and no money to be earned. Teenager Jarek Sokolowski and his brother take action to save their loved ones—they apply for jobs in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Fires in the Wilderness chronicles the journey of Polish boys from Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1934. After some training, they are shipped far from home to a work camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The friends take on backbreaking jobs that leave them bruised and blistered. To make matters worse, their work leader is a cruel bully who loves to stir up trouble. When wildfires sweep across the northern wilderness, the CCC boys are pressed into duty. As the fire grows out of control, several boys find themselves trapped by walls of flame and Jarek is faced with a terrible choice. Through their work and struggles, the Civilian Conservation Corps boys learn hard lessons about life and the importance of character, teamwork, and leadership. Fires in the Wilderness is an inspiring story that provides readers with a peek into the past through the eyes of an immigrant boy.

170 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kristiina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book from so many avenues. First, it is a young adult novel about a topic I haven't seen before. It is well written, believable, and contains excellent character development. Second, as an elementary teacher, there are soooo many avenues to teach from this book! Hisorically - the CCC, the Great Depression, the history of firefighting. As for a story line - it is so much a boy book - coming of age, loss, etc. Lastly, it is a great book to teach story elements. The plot development builds to an exciting climax, it contains a strong example of hero vs. villain, and the dialogue is very real. I haven't been this excited about a new read in a long time!!!

[Andy Heffernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about a teenage life durin the Great Depression? In the book Fires In The Wildrness you will learn about how kids handled life and that the older siblings did to take care of the younger. The book is informational text! I is a very inspiring story and it goes to show how hard kids worked back then.

The book is mainly about three boys that go to the Civillian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the camp they go to the camp to make money, but it is also because they get 3 meals a day! Unlike the kids who lived at home they might get 1 meal a day, or go to bed starving. The meals at the CCC are not free though! kids must work hours upon hours to get these meals! iIf not working their tails off they can get sent home whick means no money!

At the CCC Three boys work together in a gravel pit making roads in the wilderness, loading gravel all day long at Polak Lake! one day after showering they had a campfire when all the sudden a spark hit dry pine needles! Unprepared the boys panicted, minutes later rain fell and put out the fire!

At camp the three boys have had a big problem with a guy named mike..... when they find out he is their leader... you will have to find out what happens later! I strongly reccomend this book to history people! i like the book because it showed me people worked hard for what little things they got during the Great depression. The book was phenomal and a short read at only 168 pages!