Printz Winner
Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The average target age obtained from several sources ranges from 14 to 17+ due to adult themes: drug use, sex, murder, and adult situations
This book follows Daunis Fontaine: an 18-year-old student about to transition from high school to college, when unexpected events completely upend her life. Ultimately, Daunis becomes and FBI informant aiding their investigation into a drug manufacturing ring, with several plot twists - including characters who do not quite live-up to their projected images, and navigating a complicated federal judicial system, this work is guaranteed to keep readers’ attention.
I chose Fire Keeper’s Daughter due to its recognition as a Printz Award Winner, and on the recommendation of several colleagues. Another reason for choosing, is that one of the central plots evolve around the methamphetamine epidemic, which is rife where I live in southern Missouri, and like many of Daunis’ friends, I too have witnessed how this horrendous drug destroys people, along with their lives and families.
For this review, I will be critiquing Fire Keeper’s Daughter’s evaluating plot, pacing, and tension.
This book’s plot is well-written in that it introduces characters and dynamics related to school and family, and with each incident, whether it be a family member’s health, choosing classes and books for the next semester, or coordinating with officials as part of the investigation, keeps the readers wanting to know what happens next, and how the story concludes. Another element that significantly contributes to the plot is suspense; the author has taken great consideration when emphasizing the necessary amount of suspense at certain points, further enticing the reader’s interest.
Fire Keeper’s Daughter’s pacing is well-balanced in that readers, including my colleagues whom recommended it, are not felt rushed in certain parts and lackluster in others. I felt that each chapter’s length was justified to contribute to the overall plot, and like the plot, the pace kept readers wanting to not only continue, but also recommend to others. When discussing plot elements, pacing must be appropriately matched in that specific topics require more time to emphasize, letting them register and resonate.
The tension within the plot is certainly not lacking, and the anticipation and regression surrounding events and characters create desire within readers to continue reading, particularly among young adults who can directly relate to the main character, as well as sympathize with her circumstances. With this and the other described elements well-utilized throughout, I can certainly see why this work is not only popular among young and older adults, but also why it was considered and won an Printz Award.
Boulley, A. (2023). Firekeeper’s daughter. Square Fish.Paxson, C. (2021).
For this review, I will be critiquing Fire Keeper’s Daughter’s evaluating plot, pacing, and tension.
This book’s plot is well-written in that it introduces characters and dynamics related to school and family, and with each incident, whether it be a family member’s health, choosing classes and books for the next semester, or coordinating with officials as part of the investigation, keeps the readers wanting to know what happens next, and how the story concludes. Another element that significantly contributes to the plot is suspense; the author has taken great consideration when emphasizing the necessary amount of suspense at certain points, further enticing the reader’s interest.
Fire Keeper’s Daughter’s pacing is well-balanced in that readers, including my colleagues whom recommended it, are not felt rushed in certain parts and lackluster in others. I felt that each chapter’s length was justified to contribute to the overall plot, and like the plot, the pace kept readers wanting to not only continue, but also recommend to others. When discussing plot elements, pacing must be appropriately matched in that specific topics require more time to emphasize, letting them register and resonate.
The tension within the plot is certainly not lacking, and the anticipation and regression surrounding events and characters create desire within readers to continue reading, particularly among young adults who can directly relate to the main character, as well as sympathize with her circumstances. With this and the other described elements well-utilized throughout, I can certainly see why this work is not only popular among young and older adults, but also why it was considered and won an Printz Award.
Boulley, A. (2023). Firekeeper’s daughter. Square Fish.Paxson, C. (2021).
Firekeeper’s Daughter book cover image. “Firekeeper’s Daughter” Forges A New Path Between Cultures And Genres. National Public Radio (NPR). Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.npr.org/2021/03/20/979303110/firekeepers-daughter- forges-a-new-path-between-cultures-and-genres.
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