Nothing Left To Burn

Gr 9 Up—Sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper knows who started the Caspers Fire soon after she loses her virginity. Uncertain, scared, and deeply heartbroken, she struggles with keeping "the silence before words." Despite the fact that Audrey longs for love, she comprehends the complexity of her situation as well her dreadful emotions. From the beginning, the author creates a sense of being inside Audrey's head throughout the most difficult time in her life. In parallel, however, there's a more engaging story about Brooks with many mysterious pieces that remain unconvincing. Audrey's fragmented and unsettled feelings infuse the story with melancholy, fear, and loss. The nonlinear narration is creative and the unconventional chapter headers with time signatures make the setting more believable. However, from the very first chapters, it is easy to anticipate the ending, making the story less suspenseful and gripping. Still, distinguishing a healthy and loving relationship from a manipulative one is a worthy message that may resonate with readers.