Wombat Waiting, written by Katheine Applegate. Storytide, Harper. 2026. $25.99 ages 8 and up

"A community is a living thing,
a group of people 
knit together by need or friendship, 
belief or purpose, 
even worn around the edges, 
like a household of grumpy relatives.

But when something bad happens, 
it comes together, stronger than ever, 
ready to start anew." 

Meeting Wombat is a joyous and heartwarming experience. She is a stray dog with stubby legs and silly ears, who is a survivor. She needs to be one as she feels the Santa Ana winds in Southern California blowing and takes note of a fire she can see in the distance. After an upsetting dream, she begins to hear an internal voice telling her to go THAT WAY. Her concern is that it is sending her toward the fire. Having no one, and no home, Wombat does as she is told. 

A chance meeting with a canine friend named Silas. When she tells Silas about the voice, he shares a sympathetic opinion. 

"Oh, you poor pup,
Silas sighed. 
You're one of them, aren't ya?

One of them? Wombat asked. 

You're a destiny dog, said Silas. 

He offered a toothless smile. 
Congrats. 
And condolences."

Being a destiny dog means Wombat is bound to find her person. It's a convincing observation; Wombat will follow the voice's mysterious instructions, despite the dangers. Soon readers meet Henry, a young boy who lives with his two moms and little sister in the path of the wildfire. He loves the bats at the rehab center where Mama Ro works. He and Barnabas, a fruit bat, must find shelter from the fire wreaking havoc everywhere around them. Henry is uncomfortable around dogs following a scary encounter when he was very young. 

As luck would have it, Wombat and Henry cross paths at an emergency shelter. Immediately, Wombat recognizes Henry as her destiny. Henry is wary of any contact. With endless patience and her helping nature, Wombat begins to realize she can offer hope to the displaced people at the shelter. Just as Wombat finds solace in the helping, Henry proves himself to be a willing worker who makes a real difference, too. The bond between the two unfolds as days pass by. Patience is the key to finding each other in the loveliest possible way. 

As the chapters shift from one character to another, readers feel strong empathy toward both. The verse format is perfect for early middle grade readers.Well chosen words balance the terror and acute sadness felt by both as their situation engulfs everyone. It's a story told with gentle caring and quiet humor. So hopeful and endearing. It will be the first book Chelsea and I read in July. We can't wait! 

Ablaze: The Story of America's First Female Smokejumper. Written by Jessica Lawson and illustrated by Sarah Gonzales. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"She worked on wildland crews, where brush trucks

traveled remote roads to access wildfires. 
Crewmembers hiked in with tools and supplies, 
clearing brush and branches that might
make the fire spread. 

She worked on hotshot crews
where she fought faster fires
and took bigger risks."

With uncontrolled wildfires burning in many places around the world, this picture book biography that describes Deanne Shulman, her love for the outdoors, and the passion and perseverance she found in working for the US Forest Service, first as a firefighter and finally as a smokejumper, is extremely timely.  

As a very young child, Deanna climbed a tall tree, and then wondered how she would get back down. Though nervous, she jumped. She loved that feeling, and being outside with her family as they pursued sailing and backpacking together. That love of nature continued to grow, as she did. While she recognized that wildfires could be beneficial to the land, she also knew that some brought death and devastation. 

Deanne's brother worked with the US Forest Service, building and maintaining the land for all to enjoy.  Deanne applied to do the same. Instead, she was hired as a fire fighter. She loved her work. 

"One-hundred-degree heat and 
twenty-four-hour workdays. 
Air scorching hot on her face. 
Smoke masking the light of sun and stars."

After all the hard and dangerous work, there was still one thing she had never tried ... and it was what she wanted more than anything else. She longed to be a smokejumper. No female had ever held that job. At 26, she took the tests needed to prove herself and passed every one. Despite that, she was not accepted because of her size. She spent the following two years working even harder to prove she was up to the job. The rest is history. Deanne made seventy-seven jumps, then worked tirelessly with forestry programs until retiring in 2011. Today, she is a speaker and consultant, offering advice and sharing her experience with others. 

An informative and personal author's note follows, as does a glossary of terms used.