THE BURNING SEASON

Caitlin Kinnunen narrates this middle-grade story, showcasing its verse form. Twelve-year-old Opal lives at the top of a fire tower in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico. Her mother and grandmother are responsible for spotting fires, determining their locations, and alerting the authorities. However, Opal longs to be in town, where she can attend school and not be constantly reminded of her greatest fear--fire. When Opal's mother goes missing during a trip to town and her grandmother also disappears, Opal must confront her fears. While the verse format of the story makes the pacing seem stilted, Kinnunen's emotional nuances are outstanding. As the story progresses, her tone and pitch effectively convey the rising tension. S.K.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2025]