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The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose
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The Burning Season

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose

By Caroline Starr Rose
Read by Caitlin Kinnunen

By Caroline Starr Rose
Read by Caitlin Kinnunen

Best Seller
Paperback $9.99

Mar 10, 2026 | ISBN 9780593617953 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Hardcover $17.99

May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593617939 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Ebook $10.99

May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593617946 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Audiobook Download $14.00

May 13, 2025 | 202 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    The Burning Season by Caroline Starr Rose
    Hardcover $17.99
    May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593617939

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    • $9.99

      Mar 10, 2026 | ISBN 9780593617953 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    • $17.99

      May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593617939 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593617946 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9798217072637 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      202 Minutes

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    About The Burning Season

    In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch. Now in paperback.

    Twelve-year-old Opal is preparing to become a fourth-generation lookout on Wolf Mountain, deep in the New Mexico wilderness. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. But Opal has a secret: she’s deathly afraid of fire.

    Instead of training for the lonely life of a lookout, Opal wishes she could be starting seventh grade in Silver City, attending classes with kids her own age. But Wolf Mountain has other ideas.

    When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. She’ll have to be braver than she’s ever been as she heads into the woods, beyond Wolf Ridge’s old blackened burn scar, to face down a fire on her own. But a fire is what took her father away, and Opal has already felt the sting of smoke and lick of flames. How can she be brave enough to do this on her own?

    About The Burning Season

    In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse perfect for fans of Alan Gratz, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch.

    Twelve-year-old Opal has a secret: she’s deathly afraid of fire. Still Opal is preparing to become a fourth-generation lookout on Wolf Mountain, deep in the New Mexico wilderness. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. 

    Instead of training for the lonely life of a lookout, Opal wishes she could be starting seventh grade in Silver City, attending real classes with kids her own age and even going to afterschool clubs like FFA. But Wolf Mountain has other ideas. When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. She’ll have to be braver than she’s ever been as she heads into the woods, beyond Wolf Ridge’s old blackened burn scar, to face down a fire on her own. But when a fire is what took her father away, and Opal herself knows the sting of smoke and lick of flames, how can she be brave enough when it really counts?

    About The Burning Season

    In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse perfect for fans of Alan Gratz, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch.

    Twelve-year-old Opal has a secret: she’s deathly afraid of fire. Still Opal is preparing to become a fourth-generation lookout on Wolf Mountain, deep in the New Mexico wilderness. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. 

    Instead of training for the lonely life of a lookout, Opal wishes she could be starting seventh grade in Silver City, attending real classes with kids her own age and even going to afterschool clubs like FFA. But Wolf Mountain has other ideas. When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. She’ll have to be braver than she’s ever been as she heads into the woods, beyond Wolf Ridge’s old blackened burn scar, to face down a fire on her own. But when a fire is what took her father away, and Opal herself knows the sting of smoke and lick of flames, how can she be brave enough when it really counts?

    About The Burning Season

    In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse perfect for fans of Alan Gratz, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch.

    Twelve-year-old Opal has a secret: she’s deathly afraid of fire. Still Opal is preparing to become a fourth-generation lookout on Wolf Mountain, deep in the New Mexico wilderness. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. 

    Instead of training for the lonely life of a lookout, Opal wishes she could be starting seventh grade in Silver City, attending real classes with kids her own age and even going to afterschool clubs like FFA. But Wolf Mountain has other ideas. When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. She’ll have to be braver than she’s ever been as she heads into the woods, beyond Wolf Ridge’s old blackened burn scar, to face down a fire on her own. But when a fire is what took her father away, and Opal herself knows the sting of smoke and lick of flames, how can she be brave enough when it really counts?

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    Also by Caroline Starr Rose

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    Also by Caroline Starr Rose

    Miraculous
    Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine
    Blue Birds
    Over in the Wetlands
    May B.
    See all books by Caroline Starr Rose

    Also by Caroline Starr Rose

    Miraculous
    Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine
    Blue Birds
    Over in the Wetlands
    May B.
    See all books by Caroline Starr Rose

    Also by Caroline Starr Rose

    Miraculous
    Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine
    Blue Birds
    Over in the Wetlands
    May B.
    See all books by Caroline Starr Rose

    About Caroline Starr Rose

    Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. As a girl she danced ballet, raced through books, composed poetry

    … More about Caroline Starr Rose

    About Caroline Starr Rose

    Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. As a girl she danced ballet, raced through books, composed poetry

    … More about Caroline Starr Rose

    About Caroline Starr Rose

    Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. As a girl she danced ballet, raced through books, composed poetry

    … More about Caroline Starr Rose

    About Caroline Starr Rose

    Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. As a girl she danced ballet, raced through books, composed poetry

    … More about Caroline Starr Rose

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $9.99
    Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
    Mar 10, 2026 | 256 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593617953

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $17.99
    Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
    May 13, 2025 | 256 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593617939

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $10.99
    Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
    May 13, 2025 | 256 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593617946

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $14.00
    Published by Listening Library
    May 13, 2025 | 202 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9798217072637

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    Praise

    Praise for The Burning Season:

    A Junior Library Guild Selection

    ★ “[A] masterful, memorable coming-of-age tale that sensitively explores the power and pressures of family legacy.”—BookPage, starred review

    ★ “This novel written in emotive free verse brings the emotional impact of poetry to 12-year-old Opal Gloria Halloway’s coming-of-age tale of survival. A young wilderness lookout confronts family expectations and her fear of fire… Believable emotions, gripping action, and skillfully incorporated information about climate change and wildfire management make this a relatable and engaging read. A girl-versus-nature story that shines with evocative verse, a compelling protagonist, and a brisk plotline.”—Kirkus, starred review

    ★ “Excellent pacing, an engrossing plot, and an endearing main character make this impossible to put down. A riveting survival story with emotional growth. …Opal’s voice shines through each poem, deepening moments of emotional resonance and intensifying action sequences.”—Booklist, starred review

    “Riveting, original, deftly written, emotionally engaging, and a fascinating read from start to finish.”—Midwest Book Review

    “As Rose layers ongoing drama, the tension ramps up. In a gripping climax, Opal, alone, hunts for and then fights to contain a blaze… lyrically evocative.”—Publishers Weekly

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