If you can't stand the heat, don't walk into the fire. Danny knew his sophomore year would be stressful . . . but he didn’t expect his school to burn down on the first day. To make matters worse (and they were about to get a lot worse), he — and his three best friends — receive an email in their inboxes from the principal of their rival, King’s Academy, offering full-rides to attend the town's prestigious boarding school. Danny wants nothing to do with King’s Academy and says no. Of course his mother says yes. So off he goes to be bullied and picked on for not being part of the popular and rich "in crowd." From day one at King’s, Danny encounters hazing, mocking insults from girls at the "popular and pretty" table, and cafeteria food that, for such a prestigious school, tastes as if it were purchased from a military surplus supply warehouse. If he survives, Danny will have to overcome his fears of failure, rejection, and loneliness—all while standing strong in his beliefs and walking into the fire. "Vivid. The perfect picture of the adolescent human condition that both entertains and empowers." -A. R. Conti Fulwell, author of An Angel in the Distance "Blaze peels back the curtains of our world's desires, and reveals the beasts lurking behind. Packed with relevant topics and worldview, the book draws readers into a white-knuckle adventure where anything can happen--and anything can go wrong. Hope Bolinger delivers a fiery page-turner perfect for students and pyromaniacs, and shows what happens when we're called into the lions' den." - Caroline George, author of The Vestige "When I heard that Hope Bolinger was writing a series of books taking the Daniel story and putting it into modern times, I knew it would be something special. And indeed, it is.Even though you know the Bible story, Blaze will keep you turning pages as you watch events unfold, as you cheer the faith of four brave students, and as you wait to see how Bolinger will tell the story next. Bolinger is creative, funny,and engaging. Blaze does not disappoint." -Linda Taylor, M.A., M.F.A.,assistant professor Professional Writing, Taylor University "Bolinger has created a captivating academy world and engaging characters in Blaze. Readers will easily relate to the characters' struggles, and will find comfort in the humor and grace with which the characters navigate a never-ending slew of incredibly trying experiences. - DelSheree Gladden, author of "Invisible" Hope Bolinger is a fresh new voice in young adult fiction. Teen readers won't be able to stop turning pages to find out what will happen to Daniel and his trio of friends in this witty, contemporary take on familiar Bible stories for a new generation. Blaze has something for everyone: adventure, relatable characters, themes of faith in difficult times, humor, and, of course, lots of fire. - Amy Green, author of the Amarias Adventures "Blaze explores the classically icky elements of high school--mean girls, boys who bully, crappy cafeteria food, pressure to compete, insensitive teachers, midterm stress--and amps it all up a notch when students find themselves involuntarily enrolled in a boarding school from, well, hell. The story's protagonists, firm in their Christian faith, rise above and put a bold new spin on the concept of school spirit as a school principal attempts to place himself on an impossible pedestal. Author Hope Bolinger cleverly and stealthily superimposes her contemporary teen drama with symbolic content based on old-school values." --Kelly Anne White,author of The Legend of the Fairy Stones (Morgan James Publishing), The Bible Adventure Book of Scavenger Hunts (Healthy Learning), and other books for kids "We see the Book of Daniel unfold in a completely contemporary way, full of the same intrigue as the Bible story...yet young adult readers will be able to relate to the characters and the plot as it twists and turns in a story that keeps you turning the pages." - Michele Chynoweth, award-winning author of contemporary, biblically based novels The Faithful One, The Peace Maker, The Runaway Prophet and The Jealous Son. "Bolinger's Blaze is a unique twist on the classic high school drama." - Amalie Jahn, YA author of The Clay Lion Series and The Next to Last Mistake "Debut author Hope Bolinger entertains the young and young-at-heart with her YA novel, Blaze. She introduces us to Danny Belte and his friends and their struggles and triumphs of life in high school. But this book is so much more. Blaze is a contemporary twist on stories from the book of Daniel in the Bible. The way Hope threads allegory throughout the modern high school setting is masterful. Above all,Blaze is a fun, and can't-put-it-down, delightful story." - Jennifer Hallmark, author of Jessie's Hope " Blaze is a wonderful YA novel of the trials and tribulations of four different but likeable students navigating their way through a challenging school year . . . (Danny's