Firestorm by David Klass

Bibliographic Information:
Klass, D. (2006). Firestorm. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN# 0374323070

Plot Summary:
Jake has always been good at sports, but his parents have continuously told him to keep a low profile, let the other guy win. Now Jake has helped his high school football team win which got him featured on the local news. He’s at the top of his game, he’s got a great girlfriend, and how could it get any better? But when Jake gets home, his parents are worried. His father takes him on a speed breaking drive out into the middle of nowhere. Jake is told that his parents aren’t his parents; his town isn’t his town; and this isn’t even his time period. He is the hope of the future and he must find the firestorm in order to save the earth. The Dark Army is after him. Suddenly they appear and are shooting at Jake and his father. Jake can’t believe what his father is saying, but after his father shoots his own foot and threatens to kill himself if Jake doesn’t run, Jake takes off, being pursued and having way to many questions. He meets up with a doglike creature, Gisco, who can speak with him telepathically. Gisco leads him to Eko, a beautiful, hot warrior woman who kicks Jake’s butt multiple times until Jake learns how to defend himself. Can Jake, Gisco, and Eko find firestorm? Will the earth be saved? Will the Dark Army capture them all? Will Jake ever find out who is really is and why his life has been turned upside-down?

Critical Evaluation:
Two of the reviewers disliked the sentence fragments, the way Jake writes about his adventures. I agree with the other reviewers; the sentence fragments add to the fast pace of the story. Jake is hurdled into this alternate reality; he is running for his life and ultimately for the future of the planet. The sentence fragments convey this sense of urgency and confusion. In addition Jake is a typical high school senior; he doesn’t talk in proper grammatical sentences. He writes how he speaks. I found this book to be very enjoyable. I like that Klass has included ecological issues without being preachy. The book is quite believable in that aspect. It seems entirely possible for humans to find a way to harvest the ocean almost to the brink of destruction. Teens should like this fast-paced adventure. There is some discussion of sex and sexuality, but nothing explicit, just enough to make Jake a more believable character.

Reader's Annotation:
Jake has just had the best high school football game of his life, he’s been on the tv news, he’s got a great girlfriend. Now his father tells him that his life has been a lie, he is the hope of the future, but only if he can find the firestorm and avoid the Dark Army who are out to destroy earth’s environment.

Information about the author:
Firestorm is the first book in the Caretakers Trilogy. David Klass has written 14 additional novels as well as some screenplays. Writing pretty much comes naturally. His mother has written 15 books. His father enjoyed reading aloud to David and his sisters while changing the voices for each character. Klass’s sisters have also published books. Upon graduating from Yale, David spent two years teaching in Japan. In addition he coached the high school baseball and soccer teams. Ecological issues are in many of his books, even though he doesn’t consider himself an activist. In addition sports are the backdrop for most of his characters.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/k/david-klass/
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3329

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas:
• What would you do if you learned that your entire life had been a lie?
• Why did Jake’s parents keep telling him to keep low, let others win?
• What is your opinion of Gisco? Is he Jake’s friend? Why? Why not?
• Could the ecological disaster discussed really happen? Why? Why not?
• What should we do about our environment?
• Would you trade places with Jake? Why? Why not?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 11 – Adult.

Challenge Issues:
Some sexuality

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Four positive reviews; two marginal reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on six Best Books Lists
• Appears on six state/provincial reading lists
• Received one award

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~8kVhg4:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.