Simeon's Fire [Hardcover]

Cathryn Clinton (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

As a rash of suspicious barn fires target his Amish community, a young boy wrestles with a frightening secret in this simply told, deeply affecting novel from the author of A STONE IN MY HAND and THE CALLING.

On the Amish farm where he lives and works with his family, ten-year-old Simeon Zook hears and feels things other people miss — things like the quiet sounds of birds and animals or even the subtle sense that something is not quite right. It is just that kind of unease that draws him out to the barn one night, the night his passionate concern for the family's animals collides with the glare of a stranger's flashlight, a sudden crackling blaze, and two harsh, threatening voices that scare him into silence, well after the barn has burned to the ground. Surely Simeon's family will be safer if he tells no one what he saw and heard? But then another fire breaks out — in the neighbor's barn, where the Zooks' horses and cows are temporarily housed. . . .

With compassion and insight into a child's inner struggles and the nuances of Amish traditions, Cathryn Clinton tells a powerful coming-of-age story of family, loyalty, and faith in the face of fear and prejudice — and the enduring strength of one boy's dreams.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Ten-year-old Simeon loves the animals on his family's farm. He wants to be a vet when he grows up, but to do so he'll have to leave his religion–Amish children don't go to school past eighth grade. His questions about the future are set aside when a rash of fires hits his rural area, and soon his own family's barn burns down. Simeon must wrestle with his conscience as he'd been smoking one of his older brother's cigarettes just before the fire started, and worries that he might have been at least partially responsible. And then there are the shadowy figures whom he saw lurking about who threatened to burn down his house if he said anything. Many readers will relate to his struggles with these dilemmas. The fact that the fires may be hate crimes adds a note of topical interest. Clinton's writing style is, overall, smooth and straightforward, with sometimes simple and lovely descriptions of the way the natural world delights Simeon. The pacing, though, is quite slow and deliberate, which may limit the book's appeal. The boy's lack of peer relationships and the numerous details about farm chores may also deter less patient readers. While this book does have many fine qualities, it may be best suited for larger collections or those with a special interest in the Amish religion.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Eleven-year-old Simeon lives peacefully on a farm in his Amish community. One night when he cannot sleep, he goes to check on a new horse and stumbles upon two^B men setting fire to the barn,^B who threaten to do worse if he tells. He never sees their faces, but their voices sound familiar. After the animals are rescued and the fire is put out, Simeon finds he cannot speak up about the arsonists, even after a nearby farm is also targeted. As Simeon struggles with his fear and his feelings of responsibility, he discovers which men are the arsonists and is finally able to speak out. Clinton does a good job translating the simple pleasures of contemporary Amish life to non-Amish readers, giving a surprising amount of detail. However, this focus on daily life slows the pace to a crawl; some young readers will find this boring. Still, Simeon's unaffected narrative is realistic, rooted in his child's perspective and his love for his community, and those looking for a quiet read or wanting to know more about Amish life may enjoy this offering. Krista Hutley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763627070
• ISBN-13: 978-0763627072
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,860,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and intriguing look at life in an Amish community, December 15, 2005

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simeon's Fire (Hardcover)

Simeon's days in his Amish community are ordered and well-regulated. Divided between domestic chores and his work on the farm, his life centers mainly on his large family. A few hints of the outside world do hover over him. For example, his oldest brother Sylvan is experimenting with "running around" --- the year the Amish get to explore the world before deciding whether or not to be baptized --- and Simeon himself thinks he might like to become a veterinarian like Dr. Tom Brubaker rather than a farmer like his father. Certainly he has an almost magical connection to animals, especially Lena A., the cow he was given on his eighth birthday.

Still, the outside world seems remote until a rash of fires break out on Amish property. For the first time, Simeon feels less than safe at home. That doesn't stop him from going out late one night to check on Lena A. --- and catching two men in the act of setting fire to the family barn. "You better forget that you ever knew anyone was here, because if you don't, we'll be back, and we'll burn your house down."

How can Simeon protect the family he loves? Reporting the two men to the fire marshal would only put his family in danger. Can he solve the mystery on his own? Only by growing up and learning to deal with his emotions and responsibilities can Simeon determine the right course of action.

In SIMEON'S FIRE, Cathryn Clinton presents a compelling story about one boy growing up Amish in a rural community in Pennsylvania. Filled with rich and satisfying detail, it is an opportunity to peer into another, different world. Both Simeon's questioning and his dilemma are believable, and he and his father in particular are compelling characters. Clinton portrays the Amish in a positive and even fascinating light, and leaves the reader wanting to know more about the community and their values.

--- Reviewed by Paula Jolin

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is the sequel?, February 16, 2009

By 

Rebecca Thatcher Murcia (Akron, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simeon's Fire (Hardcover)

This is one of the those great books that you wish would continue. Simeon is a young Amish boy who thinks he would like to be a veterinarian, but is increasingly aware of the price he would have to pay to pursue that dream. As he works on the farm and thinks about his future, a more immediate threat surfaces: an arsonist. This is a great book that obviously deserves a follow-up. Does Simeon's family figure out the mystery behind the fires? Will Simeon decide to continue with his education?