The idea for CONTROLLED BURN has been living as a spark inside me for years. This story has taken time to build and grow, but was ultimately inspired by my own childhood adventures exploring Minnesota’s north woods, and some of my personal family history captured in the photos here: my Grandpa Howard’s stories from his years working in a fire tower and with the Department of Natural Resources as a Forester the peaceful tranquility of the old fire tower and surrounding wilderness outside Tower, MN and my mom’s experience fighting forest fires in the western United States when I was a kid and teen.
CONTROLLED BURN is the story of twelve-year-old Maia, who is battling some huge personal demons and anxieties, but begins to conquer her fears while spending the summer with her grandparents after her younger sister is badly burned in a house fire. I am SO proud of this book, and can't wait to share Maia's story with readers later this year!
