"Eternally annoyed that Andy called me 'Rommel'! I am British, damn it! British, by George, all the way down to the end of my big, bushy tail!" Mr Fox, Feral Commander in Chief
"The Fire Trail is a fun book with realistic characters which I appreciate. There is a fair bit of action as well as some romance, and it is interesting to follow Andrew as he determines how far he’ll go to help the animals he said he would, while trying to maintain some kind of normality at home and school.
The last few pages of the book explain that many of the names of characters in the story were very intentional, inspired by various figures and places involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. This draws a comparison to the conflict in the story and could be utilised as a great opportunity for more learning about this battle. This book also opens the door for discussion about native and feral animals, the environmental issues pests present, and the importance of conservation.
I would recommend this story to 8-12 year olds who enjoy magical realism."
Reviewed by Libby Boas for Reading Time, Children's Book Council of Australia https://readingtime.com.au/the-fire-trail/
"I have read your book and liked how you sourced your characters and places from the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the subliminal messages you are sending out with the 'ferals' and 'natives'."
Jane Thatcher, Library Technician, St Joseph's High School , Aberdeen NSW
"Imagine going on a run along your favorite trail in the local national park and, all of a sudden, a kangaroo jumps out at you and starts talking to you. And, not about just anything, but about going to war, doing battle, saving the natural habitat for the native animals of the park. That’s what happened to Andy. And now everyone thinks he’s nuts and his parents even insist he goes to see the school counselor. But Alisha, the new girl, believes Andy, and she offers to help. In the process, the two thirteen-year-olds find a bond that goes beyond friendship – first love.
Chris Johnson’s middle-grade novel, The Fire Trail, is a Gene Stratton-Porter kind of novel about the natural world and how we fit into it. Told in the first-person narrative from Andy’s point of view, the plot follows the children's connection with the natural world and, in particular, Andy’s ability to communicate with the wildlife. It’s interesting that the author cleverly chose character names from the historic Crimean battle known as the Charge of the Light Brigade. This adds another layer of intrigue to a story already well-plotted. The characters, both animal and human, are well developed and believable; the dialogue typical for this age group (including the animals’ dialogues) and the scenes are well described. An interesting story that will have young readers thinking more seriously about the natural world around them and how they can stand up for and defend all animals and their natural habitat. Brilliant."
Emily-Jane Hills Orford
"The Fire Trail by Chris Johnson is an enjoyable children’s book starring Andy Morgan. Andy is a thirteen-year-old boy who goes to school at Cardigan High School. He is an active young boy who plays rugby and enjoys exercising. His team had been performing poorly in tournaments for several years, and they were eager for a win. Determined to break their losing streak, Andy began exercising more to prepare for an upcoming rugby tournament. On one fateful day, as he was jogging down a familiar trail in the nearby national park, he stumbled upon a talking kangaroo. The encounter with the kangaroo left him baffled and in disbelief. Battle lines were drawn between ferals and the natives (kangaroo’s camp), and a war was on the horizon. Convinced they were going to lose, the talking kangaroo coerced Andy to join the native’s team.
The book is a quick read that is partitioned into 12 brief chapters. The story is narrated mainly from the first-person point of view. The dialogue between Andy and other characters added a diverse and enjoyable element which enhanced my reading experience. There are several positive aspects to this book. The book teaches readers about the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Andy and his friend Alisha threw caution to the wind and went deep into the bushes, despite being cautioned by their parents. In their bush adventure, they lost their bikes, lost track of time, and went back home with bruises. Their parents punished them accordingly and taught them a few lessons. The book contains several valuable lessons that can help build or shape young reader’s characters positively: lessons about honesty, integrity, the importance of hard work, and teamwork. I did not come across any grammatical or typographical errors. The editing of the book was impeccable. There was nothing to dislike about The Fire Trail. The language used is easy to comprehend, and the storyline is relatable. The book is an easy read, and the characters undertake fun character-building adventures. For the reasons stated above, I am awarding the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The book is suitable for children ten years and older. Readers below the age of ten can also enjoy it, provided that an elder reads it aloud for them. Young readers who enjoy adventures, rugby, or any other sporting activities will delight in this book." Nqobile771, Online Book Club https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=191461
"I am glad to see the book touching slightly on Andy seeing the school counsellor. Young kids need to realize that mental health is just as important and it is not used as a way to punish kids nor do people need counselling solely because they are "crazy". Andy is honestly a compassionate and well-mannered young man. Yes he was coerced by the Kangaroo but he helped them because he has a good heart. Despite not really having a solid plan, his "plan" worked. Trying to involve Zach and Max in the animal's war was probably his way of getting ideas to help win the war but it goes to show that sometimes, some roads you must travel alone. The cheating incident involving Miss Fenton and the St. Crispin's college was a teaching moment. I am proud of the way Andy and Alisha handled it. I am also happy about the re-match but I am most happy about the peace and amicable solution reached by the animals in the park." Anonymous, Online Book Club.
"The Fire Trail is a fun book with realistic characters which I appreciate. There is a fair bit of action as well as some romance, and it is interesting to follow Andrew as he determines how far he’ll go to help the animals he said he would, while trying to maintain some kind of normality at home and school.
The last few pages of the book explain that many of the names of characters in the story were very intentional, inspired by various figures and places involved in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. This draws a comparison to the conflict in the story and could be utilised as a great opportunity for more learning about this battle. This book also opens the door for discussion about native and feral animals, the environmental issues pests present, and the importance of conservation.
I would recommend this story to 8-12 year olds who enjoy magical realism."
Reviewed by Libby Boas for Reading Time, Children's Book Council of Australia https://readingtime.com.au/the-fire-trail/
"I have read your book and liked how you sourced your characters and places from the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the subliminal messages you are sending out with the 'ferals' and 'natives'."
Jane Thatcher, Library Technician, St Joseph's High School , Aberdeen NSW
"Imagine going on a run along your favorite trail in the local national park and, all of a sudden, a kangaroo jumps out at you and starts talking to you. And, not about just anything, but about going to war, doing battle, saving the natural habitat for the native animals of the park. That’s what happened to Andy. And now everyone thinks he’s nuts and his parents even insist he goes to see the school counselor. But Alisha, the new girl, believes Andy, and she offers to help. In the process, the two thirteen-year-olds find a bond that goes beyond friendship – first love.
Chris Johnson’s middle-grade novel, The Fire Trail, is a Gene Stratton-Porter kind of novel about the natural world and how we fit into it. Told in the first-person narrative from Andy’s point of view, the plot follows the children's connection with the natural world and, in particular, Andy’s ability to communicate with the wildlife. It’s interesting that the author cleverly chose character names from the historic Crimean battle known as the Charge of the Light Brigade. This adds another layer of intrigue to a story already well-plotted. The characters, both animal and human, are well developed and believable; the dialogue typical for this age group (including the animals’ dialogues) and the scenes are well described. An interesting story that will have young readers thinking more seriously about the natural world around them and how they can stand up for and defend all animals and their natural habitat. Brilliant."
Emily-Jane Hills Orford
"The Fire Trail by Chris Johnson is an enjoyable children’s book starring Andy Morgan. Andy is a thirteen-year-old boy who goes to school at Cardigan High School. He is an active young boy who plays rugby and enjoys exercising. His team had been performing poorly in tournaments for several years, and they were eager for a win. Determined to break their losing streak, Andy began exercising more to prepare for an upcoming rugby tournament. On one fateful day, as he was jogging down a familiar trail in the nearby national park, he stumbled upon a talking kangaroo. The encounter with the kangaroo left him baffled and in disbelief. Battle lines were drawn between ferals and the natives (kangaroo’s camp), and a war was on the horizon. Convinced they were going to lose, the talking kangaroo coerced Andy to join the native’s team.
The book is a quick read that is partitioned into 12 brief chapters. The story is narrated mainly from the first-person point of view. The dialogue between Andy and other characters added a diverse and enjoyable element which enhanced my reading experience. There are several positive aspects to this book. The book teaches readers about the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Andy and his friend Alisha threw caution to the wind and went deep into the bushes, despite being cautioned by their parents. In their bush adventure, they lost their bikes, lost track of time, and went back home with bruises. Their parents punished them accordingly and taught them a few lessons. The book contains several valuable lessons that can help build or shape young reader’s characters positively: lessons about honesty, integrity, the importance of hard work, and teamwork. I did not come across any grammatical or typographical errors. The editing of the book was impeccable. There was nothing to dislike about The Fire Trail. The language used is easy to comprehend, and the storyline is relatable. The book is an easy read, and the characters undertake fun character-building adventures. For the reasons stated above, I am awarding the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The book is suitable for children ten years and older. Readers below the age of ten can also enjoy it, provided that an elder reads it aloud for them. Young readers who enjoy adventures, rugby, or any other sporting activities will delight in this book." Nqobile771, Online Book Club https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=191461
"I am glad to see the book touching slightly on Andy seeing the school counsellor. Young kids need to realize that mental health is just as important and it is not used as a way to punish kids nor do people need counselling solely because they are "crazy". Andy is honestly a compassionate and well-mannered young man. Yes he was coerced by the Kangaroo but he helped them because he has a good heart. Despite not really having a solid plan, his "plan" worked. Trying to involve Zach and Max in the animal's war was probably his way of getting ideas to help win the war but it goes to show that sometimes, some roads you must travel alone. The cheating incident involving Miss Fenton and the St. Crispin's college was a teaching moment. I am proud of the way Andy and Alisha handled it. I am also happy about the re-match but I am most happy about the peace and amicable solution reached by the animals in the park." Anonymous, Online Book Club.