Fire Starters

by Jen Storm, Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator), Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

Overview

Fire Starters tackles restorative justice on a contemporary reserve in Northwestern Ontario.

When two white teenagers accidentally set fire to a gas station, their Indigenous classmates are wrongly accused. The truth slowly comes to light as contrasting systems of justice are explored—both the traditional ways of the community and Canadian law enforcement.

Fire Starters explores prejudice, racism, and what reconciliation could look like, "moving it from a concept to [an] on-the-ground example of what reconciliation could mean, in action, in a small community" (Debbie Reese).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781553796855
Publisher:	Portage & Main Press
Publication date:	12/01/2016
Pages:	56
Sales rank:	420,766
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jen Storm (she/her/hers) is an Ojibwe writer from Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. She lives and raises her family, which includes her son, River, and stepson, Axel, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jen completed Deadly Loyalties, her first novel, at age fourteen and has continued writing ever since.

Scott B. Henderson (he/him) is a freelance illustrator, whose reputation for cultural sensitivity and an openness to listen and learn has garnered a large body of work in collaboration with Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities. His work spans several critically acclaimed graphic novels, including 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga (Indigenous history & Residential Schools); A Girl Called Echo series (Métis history); A Blanket of Butterflies (2016 Eisner Nomination); a short story in Marvel Voices: Pride #1 (2022); and the post-apocalypse graphic novel, Last Breeds (fall 2024). Scott is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. He resides in Winnipeg with his partner.

Since 1998, Donovan Yaciuk (he/him/his) has coloured books published by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse comics, and HighWater Press including the A Girl Called Echo and The Reckoner Rises series, as well as select stories in This Place: 150 Years Retold. Donovan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from the University of Manitoba and began his career as a part of the legendary, now-defunct Digital Chameleon colouring studio. He lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with his wife and two daughters.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

BC ERAC approved resource

Editorial Reviews

Selected as an AIYLA Honor Book

American Indian Youth Literature Award (AIYLA)

Among CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens list(2017)

The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC)

A cautionary tale about the consequences of prejudice and racism, Fire Starters is a valuable addition to conversations about the importance of reconciliation and the power of the truth.

The National Reading Campaign - Roseanne Gauthier

Among recommended Indigenous titles for building an Inclusive Graphic Novel Collection

Booklist

With her story, Jen moves reconciliation from a concept to an on-the-ground example of what reconciliation could mean, in action. I recommend Jen Storm's Fire Starters. There’s a lot to study, think about, and of course, talk about.

Debbie Reesen Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)

"Storm's story is a very thoughtful look at the two systems of justice. The Native boys in the White system, being interrogated is a stark contrast to what the White boy experiences in the Native system of justice. It points to the path Storm is looking for: how a community can heal, rather than how it could punish and inflict more harm on people... I recommend Jen Storm's Fire Starters. There's a lot to study, think about, and of course, talk about."
- Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature

From the Publisher

With her story, Jen moves reconciliation from a concept to an on-the-ground example of what reconciliation could mean, in action. I recommend Jen Storm's Fire Starters. There’s a lot to study, think about, and of course, talk about.

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) - Debbie Reese