THE ARSONIST

This complicated novel--told in three points of view through letters, essays, and a diary--brings three teenagers together. Morgan Hallett narrates Molly's letters to Pepper with an edgy defiance in her voice that fits a girl who is considered a freakish loner by her peers. Pepper writes a series of school essays. Despite Pepper's academic failure and personal tragedy, narrator Fajer Al-Kaisi imbues him with a sunny good nature that suits his comic musings and kindness to Molly. Rachel Botchan narrates the diary of Ava Dreyman, in which Ava recounts her discovery that her mother's resistance to the Cold War government of East Berlin endangered Ava's life. The listener hears Ava's demeanor change from the saucy smugness of a beautiful girl to the steely determination of one seeking justice. Loss, perseverance, and fire link the lives of these three teens. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2018]