Forgotten Fire

Last updated
Forgotten Fire
Forgotten Fire.jpg
Author Adam Bagdasarian
Genre Young adult novel
Publisher Laurel Leaf Library
Publication date
April 9, 2002
Publication place United States
ISBN 9780440229179

Forgotten Fire (2002) is a young adult novel by Adam Bagdasarian. The book is based on a true story and follows the young boy Vahan Kenderian through the Armenian genocide of 1915 to 1923. [1] It became a National Book Award finalist, National Book Award for Young People's Literature honor, and the IRA Children's Literature and Reading Notable Book for a Global Society. [2]

Contents

Plot summary

In 1915 Vahan Kenderian is living a life of privilege as the youngest son of a wealthy Armenian family in Turkey. This secure world is shattered when some family members are whisked away while others are murdered before his eyes.

Vahan loses his home and family, and is forced to live a life he would never have dreamed of in order to survive. Somehow Vahan’s incredible strength and spirit help him endure, even knowing that each day could be his last.

Characters

Vahan Kenderian- the protagonist of the story. Throughout the novel, Vahan goes through many difficult experiences before reaching the final destination Constantinople and relative safety. He runs away from Turkish soldiers, fakes deafness, and experiences family deaths. Growing up in wealth, Vahan’s life undergoes massive change as the text progresses. After the forced separation or murder of those closest to him, the brutality facing Armenians proceeded to wipe out or estrange any possibility for connection going forwards. Despite this, he continues to find help and community in various figurest throughout the course of Forgotten Fire.

Reception

Forgotten Fire received favorable reviews from Kirkus Reviews, [3] Publishers Weekly, [4] and Booklist. [5] The book received the following accolades:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Libba Bray</span> American writer (born 1964)

Martha Elizabeth "Libba" Bray is an American writer of young adult novels including the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Going Bovine, and The Diviners.

<i>Catalyst</i> (novel) 2002 novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

Catalyst is a 2002 novel by American writer Laurie Halse Anderson, published September 2002 by Viking Press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Donnelly</span> American novelist (born 1963)

Jennifer Donnelly is an American writer best known for the young adult historical novel A Northern Light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Acevedo</span> American poet and author

Elizabeth Acevedo is an American poet and author. In September 2022, the Poetry Foundation named her the year's Young People's Poet Laureate.

Anna-Marie McLemore is a Mexican-American author of young adult fiction magical realism, best known for their Stonewall Honor-winning novel When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, and The Weight of Feathers.

<i>Clap When You Land</i> 2020 young adult novel by Elizabeth Acevedo

Clap When You Land, written by Elizabeth Acevedo, is a young adult novel published by HarperTeen on May 5, 2020. The audiobook, produced by Harper Audio and narrated by Melania-Luisa Marte and Elizabeth Acevedo, was released on the same date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allan Wolf</span> American author

Allan Wolf is an American poet and young adult author. His books are primarily multi-perspective historical fiction in verse, but he has also published several poetry books for children. He is also an accomplished slam poet.

Mindy McGinnis is an American writer of young adult fiction. Her most notable works include Be Not Far from Me (2020), Heroine (2019), The Female of the Species (2016), and A Madness So Discreet (2015).

Gavriel Savit is an American actor, singer, and writer. His works include The Way Back and Anna and the Swallow Man.

<i>Like a Love Story</i> 2019 novel by Abdi Nazemian

Like a Love Story is a historical, young adult romance novel by Abdi Nazemian, published June 4, 2019 by Balzer + Bray. The story follows Reza, an Iranian boy, as he grapples with his homosexuality amid the AIDS crisis in New York City.

<i>Lovely War</i> 2019 novel by Julie Berry

Lovely War is a young adult romance novel by Julie Berry, published March 5, 2019 by Viking Books for Young Readers. The book is a New York Times Bestseller and was well-received by critics.

<i>Every Body Looking</i> 2020 young adult novel by Candice Iloh

Every Body Looking is a young adult novel in verse by Candice Iloh, published September 22, 2020 by Dutton Books for Young Readers.

<i>Shout</i> (memoir) 2019 memoir by Laurie Halse Anderson

Shout: The True Story of a Survivor Who Refused to be Silenced is a poetic memoir by Laurie Halse Anderson, published March 12, 2019 by Viking Books. The book is a New York Times best seller.

<i>Lu</i> (novel) 2018 novel by Jason Reynolds

Lu is a young adult novel by Jason Reynolds, published October 23, 2018, by Atheneum. It is the fourth book in Reynold's Track series, preceded by Ghost (2016), Patina (2017), and Sunny (2018).

<i>Sunny</i> (novel) 2018 novel by Jason Reynolds

Sunny is a young adult novel by Jason Reynolds, published April 10, 2018, by Atheneum. It is the third book in Reynold's Track series, preceded by Ghost (2016), Patina (2017), and followed by Lu (2018).

The Sea of Ink and Gold trilogy is a three-part young adult fantasy novel series written by Traci Chee, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. The trilogy includes the following books: The Reader (2016), The Speaker (2017), The Storyteller (2018).

<i>Punching the Air</i> 2020 novel by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Punching the Air is a young adult novel-in-verse by Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam, published September 1, 2020 by Balzer + Bray.

<i>When Stars Are Scattered</i> 2020 nonfiction young adult graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

When Stars Are Scattered is a nonfiction young adult graphic novel written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy, and published April 14, 2020, by Dial Books.

<i>Apple: Skin to the Core</i> 2020 poetic memoir for young adults by Eric Gansworth

Apple (Skin to the Core) is a poetic memoir for young adults, written by Eric Gansworth and published October 6, 2020 by Levine Querido. In this book, Gansworth talks about his life as an Onondaga individual, living amongst Tuscaroras, and the impact of residential schooling. As he covers these topics, he discusses common slurs against Indigenous Americans, including the term "apple," which refers to someone who is "red on the outside, white on the inside," that is, who looks Indigenous but acts white.

Shaun David Hutchinson is an American author of young adult texts. His novels often "combine speculative elements with LGBT characters and themes."

References

  1. "Forgotten Fire". Armenian National Institute.
  2. 1 2 Reilly, Mary Ann; Gangi, Jane M.; Cohen, Rob (2010). Deepening Literacy learning : art and literature engagements in K-8 classrooms. Charlotte, NC: Information Age. p. 326. ISBN   978-1607524588.
  3. "Forgotten Fire". Kirkus Reviews. May 20, 2010. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  4. "Children's Book Review: The Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagdasarian, Author". Publishers Weekly. 2000-10-30. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  5. "Forgotten Fire". Booklist. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  6. "Forgotten Fire". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  7. "2001 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  8. "Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2003". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2006-09-29. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  9. "Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  10. "Forgotten Fire: A Novel | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. 2009. Retrieved 2021-09-19.