For the reader grappling with unexpected loss or a sudden, tragic change, this historical adventure explores resilience and navigating an unfamiliar world.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is grappling with a sudden, world-altering loss and needs a story that validates the difficult journey of grief. Set in the 1870s, 'On the Volcano' follows sixteen-year-old Katie, who has grown up in total isolation on a volcano with her father. When her long-awaited first trip to a town ends in his tragic death, she must navigate not only her profound grief but an entire world she has never known. This historical adventure thoughtfully explores themes of resilience, identity, and finding family in unexpected places. For ages 12-16, it offers a powerful narrative for an introspective reader, framing grief not as something to get over, but as a landscape to be navigated on the path to a new life.
The book deals directly with the death of a parent. The death is sudden, accidental, and traumatic, not a gentle passing. The approach to grief is secular and psychological, focusing on Katie's internal state and external struggles. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: Katie forges a new life and finds a new sense of belonging, but her grief and past remain a part of her. It demonstrates that healing is not about forgetting but integrating loss into one's identity.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a mature 13 to 16-year-old interested in historical fiction, survival stories, and character-driven narratives. It is particularly suited for a teen who has experienced a disorienting loss and is feeling isolated, or an introspective reader who appreciates stories about overcoming immense personal hardship and finding inner strength.
Parent Prep
A parent should be aware that the father's death scene is abrupt and potentially upsetting. The book can be read cold, as Katie's ignorance of the world matches the reader's entry into her story. However, a parent should be prepared for conversations about grief, loneliness, and the fear of the unknown that the book will likely evoke. A parent's trigger for seeking this book would be observing their teen struggling with the aftermath of a sudden death of a loved one. The teen might be withdrawn, expressing feelings of being lost, or unable to imagine a future. This book provides a narrative mirror for those overwhelming feelings.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) may focus on the adventure and survival plot: how Katie learns to navigate a town, manage money, and find shelter. An older teen (14-16) is more likely to connect with the profound emotional journey: Katie's complex grieving process, her search for a new identity, and the nuances of learning to trust others after a life of isolation.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many grief narratives, this book combines the loss of a loved one with the loss of an entire world. Katie's extreme isolation prior to the tragedy makes her journey unique. She is not just grieving her father; she is learning the basic functions of society from scratch. This fusion of a survival story with a deep emotional study of grief is its key differentiator.
Read plot summary
Sixteen-year-old Katie has lived her entire life in an isolated cabin on a volcano with her father and their friend, Lorraine. Her first trip into civilization, an event she has anticipated for years, results in the sudden and tragic death of her father. Utterly alone and with no understanding of society, Katie must navigate her overwhelming grief while learning to survive in a world of strangers, towns, and new rules. The novel follows her journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of devastating loss.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Katie spent her whole life preparing for her trip to town, but it was nothing like she imagined. How does what she expected compare to what actually happened, both good and bad?
2
After her father's death, Katie has to rely on strangers. Who helps her, and why do you think they do? How does she decide who to trust in a world she doesn't understand?
3
Lorraine and Katie's father chose to live in isolation. Do you think they made the right choice for Katie? How did her unique upbringing both help and hurt her when she was forced to face the world alone?
4
At the end of the book, Katie is starting a new life. What parts of her old life on the volcano do you think she will carry with her forever?
