Brooklyn Burning

Brooklyn Burning by Steven Brezenoff. Published by Learner Publishing Group, 2011

Kid’s life is complicated. He is not getting along with his father at all. He questions many things in his life and is making unsafe choices for himself. When he becomes friendly with a bar owner named Fish, she tries to help him. This is where he meets Felix, a musician Kid likes a lot. Unfortunately, Felix is an addict and not a good influence.

After Kid and his father get into another huge argument, Kid is homeless so Felix takes him to an abandoned warehouse . When Felix dies, Kid sinks into a deep depression and he doesn’t deny the accusations that he started a fire in the warehouse. This has profound ramifications for Kid.

One day, he meets a young woman named Scout and discovers someone who loves music as much as he does. She has am amazing voice and Kid loves going to the basement of Fish’s bar to practice with her. She is mysterious and evasive, which only serves to increase Kid’s longing.

But the police are still coming after Kid, Fish can't help him anymore and he is worried about Scout.

This realistic fiction is recommended for students who like edgier stories.  

Visit author Steven Brezenoff's website