This Town Is on Fire
This Town Is on Fire by Pamela N. Harris is a contemporary young adult novel published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2023. The book spans 448 pages and is written in English. It explores the complexities of friendship and identity through the eyes of Naomi Henry, who navigates her role as a varsity cheerleader while grappling with her best friend’s controversial actions that spark a community crisis.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of social dynamics, race, and personal growth. As Naomi confronts the fallout from a viral incident involving her best friend Kylie, she faces challenges that force her to reevaluate her relationships and beliefs. The story captures the tension in her town as protests arise, culminating in a dramatic turn of events. This edition offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of personal and societal issues, making it relevant for discussions around class differences and social themes.
Official synopsis Publisher
From the critically acclaimed author of When You Look Like Us comes a page-turning YA contemporary novel about what happens when the latest “Becky” on the internet is your best friend.
A lot is up in the air in Naomi Henry’s life: her spot as a varsity cheer flier, her classmates’ reaction to the debut of her natural hair, and her crush on the guy who’s always been like a brother to her. With so much uncertainty, she feels lucky to have a best friend like Kylie to keep her grounded. After all, they’re practically sisters–Naomi’s mom took care of Kylie and her twin brother for years.
But then a video of Kylie calling the cops on two Black teens in a shopping store parking lot goes viral. Naomi is shaken, and her town is reeling from the publicity. While Naomi tries to reckon with Kylie, the other Black students in their high school are questioning their friendship, and her former friends are wondering where this new “woke” Naomi came from. Although Naomi wants to stand by her best friend, she now can’t help but see everything in a different light.
As tensions in her town escalate, Naomi finds herself engaging in protests that are on the cusp of being illegal. And then a bomb explodes, and someone is found dead. Will Naomi be caught in the center of the blast?
Golden Kite Award winner Pamela N. Harris has crafted a taut novel that delves into big issues, and is the perfect next read for fans of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight and The Black Kids.
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