Controlled Burn

In Controlled Burn, Erin Soderberg Downing crafts a poignant and deeply resonant story about the challenges of navigating anxiety while discovering the strength to move forward. The narrative follows Maia, a girl who feels like her life is perpetually spiraling out of control. When her mother sends her to a summer camp in the wilderness, she expects nothing but misery. Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with the complexities of nature and the internal wildfire of her own worries.

Downing expertly balances the raw, vulnerable reality of living with an anxiety disorder against the backdrop of a transformative outdoor adventure. As Maia learns to embrace the unpredictability of the woods, readers are invited to reflect on the nature of courage and the beauty of healing. The prose is atmospheric and grounded, making the setting feel like a character in its own right. This is an essential read for middle-grade readers—and anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the future. Controlled Burn is a powerful reminder that while we cannot always prevent the flames of life, we are entirely capable of learning how to manage them. It is a heartwarming, hopeful journey that lingers long after the final page is turned.