Paradise on Fire

They arrive in Los Angeles and ride in a van out of the city, which is hot and uncomfortable. Most of the kids in the group have not been anywhere but the cities they were born in. They pass a town, and Kelvin asks if any Black people live in it; while no one answers, the implied answer is no.

They drive for hours, and the land gets increasingly rugged. Addy asks why everything is brown, and the driver, Leo, tells her that it is because of drought. He tells her to make sure she notes that on her map, and she is surprised that he knew she was making a map. Leo explains, “When you map, you’ve got to note the landscape, too. Might save your life” (17). Everyone else dozes off except for Leo and Addy. Leo reminds Addy of her grandmother, and she feels like he might know something about her.

They arrive at the camp, Paradise Ranch. Addy compares it with New York City, but the air smells much different. There is a main building and then four cabins, a large barn, and a grass pen. Addy’s roommate is Nessa, who says she is glad they are paired.

When Addy wakes up, Nessa is still asleep. Addy goes outside and admires the stars and massive trees. Leo surprises her and says that he thought she would be the first awake. They walk to the barn. Leo asks Addy which way is north, and she tells him. He mentions that it’s important for a mapmaker to know where directions are, and Addy blurts out that she makes maps so that she can escape.

Addy is surprised when Leo tells her that Wilderness Adventures is his program, as he owns the land and buildings. He tells her that he was a city kid once too. Addy recalls how Grandma Bibi talked about nature in Nigeria and how she had to go to the United States to take care of Addy after her parents died. Addy feels connected to the forest, and Leo says, “’Welcome home” (42).

The group of six kids puts on hiking boots. Addy loves to hike after the hike to The Lookout with Leo. She notes her stamina, remarking, “Me and Jay are solid—breathing deep, but not harsh or rushed” (47). After miles of hiking, DeShon wants to go back because he is tired. When Jay compares him with Addy and how well she hikes, DeShon is upset.

They pause and eat snacks, which refreshes the group. DeShon is still angry, but Addy asks him what music he listens to, and it cheers him up. They return to camp and eat dinner. Addy realizes that she wants to go on hikes that are even further.

Addy and Nessa return to the cabin. Addy is uncomfortable with the fire in the fireplace. She thinks about the apartment fire that happened when she was four and how it got out of control, with no escape. She is uncomfortable remaining in the cabin with the fire and goes outside.

Ryder, the dog, is outside, and Addy sobs against him. Leo asks if she is okay and brings her a sketch pad with colored pencils to draw the trails. Addy tells Leo that her parents died in a fire and that she doesn’t know how she survived. Addy is concerned that she cannot plot her escape in nature, so Leo shows her how topographical maps work by sketching one. Leo tells her that he will show her how to map Eagle’s Ridge using steps, but it’s time-consuming, and she might need to return for a couple summers or even become a camp counselor.

Addy wakes early and goes to the main house. Leo and Addy sit in front of Leo’s computer and look at topographical maps. Leo explains them to Addy. Leo shows Addy deforestation in the Amazon and explains that “[a]erial perspective make everything smaller but allows you to see the whole. Seeing the whole is important to understand what’s happening to our home” (77). Leo shows her that climate change is making forest fires worse.

Addy, Leo, and Ryder hike. Leo sends reports to scientists who track wildfires. Leo takes Addy to an area where there was a forest fire and tells her, “We’re going to map this. Show how the land is resurrecting” (83). While talking about nature, Addy realizes that Leo must have lost someone he loves.