37 pages • 1 hour read
Fire in the Ashes
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Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1990s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozol recounts 25 years chronicling the lives of poor children in NYC, beginning with the closure of the Martinique homeless shelter in the late 1980s and moving to their subsequent struggles and resilience. Sensitive topics include suicide, criminality, addiction, and illness. Ultimately, Kozol highlights stories of hope and success through community support and intervention.
Informative
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
2,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozol is praised for its heartfelt narrative and insightful exploration of poverty, but some critics find its solutions overly simplistic. It powerfully chronicles the resilience of children in dire conditions, though occasionally it's criticized for being repetitive. Overall, it is a compassionate and eye-opening read.
Who Should Read Fire in the Ashes?
Readers passionate about social justice, education reform, and urban poverty will find Jonathan Kozol's Fire in the Ashes compelling. Fans of works like Evicted by Matthew Desmond or There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz will appreciate Kozol's powerful storytelling and deep empathy for marginalized communities.
2,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Vicky
Vicky
An emotionally vulnerable woman who navigates life in various shelters with her two children, displaying resilience in the face of personal and environmental challenges.
Pietro
Pietro
A father living in the Martinique and later the Bronx, striving to care for his family amidst personal tragedies and economic hardship.
Pineapple
Pineapple
A spirited kindergartener when first introduced, she benefits from educational opportunities with the help of Kozol and others and aspires to improve her skills and future.
Martha Overall
Martha Overall
A dedicated priest at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, who advocates for the families in the Bronx and plays an instrumental role in their lives through her support and interventions.
368
Book • Nonfiction
New York City • 1990s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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