How to Set a Fire and Why
A Novel
Published on 13. June 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-101-91175-4 (ISBN)
Description
"Ball has created a voice that echoes the beloved narrators of J. D. Salinger and John Green. . . . With her tragic past, brilliant mind and subversive potential, Lucia could be thought of as a young Lisbeth Salander, or a high-IQ, antiheroic Katniss Everdeen, but with a better sense of humor." -Newsday
Lucia Stanton's father is dead, her mother is in a mental hospital, and she's recently been kicked out of school-again. Living with her aunt in a garage-turned-bedroom, and armed with only a book, a Zippo lighter, and a pocketful of stolen licorice, she spends her days riding the bus to visit her mom and following the only rule that makes any sense: Don't do things you aren't proud of.
When Lucia discovers that her school has a secret Arson Club, her life is suddenly lit up; she'll do anything to join. Edgy, raw, and hilarious, How to Set a Fire and Why is a thrilling story about growing up the hard way.
Lucia Stanton's father is dead, her mother is in a mental hospital, and she's recently been kicked out of school-again. Living with her aunt in a garage-turned-bedroom, and armed with only a book, a Zippo lighter, and a pocketful of stolen licorice, she spends her days riding the bus to visit her mom and following the only rule that makes any sense: Don't do things you aren't proud of.
When Lucia discovers that her school has a secret Arson Club, her life is suddenly lit up; she'll do anything to join. Edgy, raw, and hilarious, How to Set a Fire and Why is a thrilling story about growing up the hard way.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Random House USA Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 202 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
224 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-101-91175-4 (9781101911754)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
JESSE BALL (1978– ). Born in New York. The author of fourteen books, most recently the novel How to Set a Fire and Why. His works have been published to acclaim in many parts of the world and translated into more than a dozen languages. He is on the faculty at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, won the 2008 Paris Review Plimpton Prize, was long-listed for the National Book Award, and has been a fellow of the NEA, Creative Capital, and the Guggenheim Foundation.