Ehrenberg, Pamela. Tillmon County Fire. 2009. 175 p. Eerdmans, $9.00 (9780802853455). Gr. 8-12.

With the tenth anniversary of the Columbine shootings in Colorado, Ehrenberg’s tale of an anti-gay hate crime set in West Virginia is a timely, cautionary reminder that bullying and harassment can ignite violence anywhere. Told through the perspectives of eight teens, the story of arson features fear, homophobia, grief and loss. Everyone is hiding something about themselves except for Rob, the new gay student in town, who tells his story in free verse. The postscript by Rebekah, the babysitter, will have those who rush to judgement feeling compassion for the least likable character.-Laurie Spurling