Illuminate : ignite change through speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols

A startling, subversive novel features fourteen-year-old Lucia, a teenage girl who has lost everything and is driven by anger, particularly towards those who try to control her. She adheres to her own rule: Don't Do Things You Aren't Proud Of. Orphaned and living in poverty with her elderly aunt in a converted garage, Lucia navigates life with just a book, a Zippo lighter, and stolen licorice. After being expelled from school once more, she spends her days visiting her mother in The Home. When she stumbles upon a secret Arson Club, her desire to join becomes all-consuming. Lucia's arson manifesto is a brilliant, anarchist pamphlet filled with biting wit and intelligence. Her voice is a powerful, emotional expression from a super-smart, funny girl who reveals uncomfortable truths, creating a riveting chronicle of family, misguided friendships, and loss. This novel is Jesse Ball's most accessible work yet, showcasing dazzling pyrotechnics. Readers will find themselves captivated by Lucia, who stands alongside iconic child truth-tellers like David Copperfield and Holden Caulfield, making her story unforgettable.