It’s 1981 in Texarkana, Texas, and Noah Ellis is trying hard to remember. Still reeling from the loss of his father in a suspicious tragedy, Noah is in a tragedy of his own—one that results in another inexplicable death, this time leaving Noah to suffer from severe amnesia.
After that day, everything changes. Noah becomes an unwitting star in a highly publicized trial. Girls start to notice him, and kids who once bullied him now allow him to run with their pack—at a cost. Standing as always in his big brother’s shadow, Noah also has a little sister he must look out for. But Noah’s still stuck on that day and the accident he can’t remember. As town secrets come to light and summer draws to a close, Noah must find a way to salvage all that he’s lost, and to learn what is truly precious.
Under the Light of Fireflies is a historical coming-of-age YA debut set in 1981 in the small town of Texarkana, Texas. The story is full of nostalgia and will especially resonate with anyone who grew up in that era. With its memorable characters who balance loss with laughter, friendship, and the slow process of figuring themselves out, the story feels reminiscent of classic ’80s films like Stand by Me, The Goonies, and The Outsiders.
The story follows Noah Ellis, a twelve-year-old trying to hold onto a summer that’s already starting to fade. Still shaken by his father’s mysterious death, Noah’s life is turned upside down after a tragic accident leaves him with post-traumatic amnesia and at the center of a public local trial. Almost overnight, kids who once bullied him start paying attention, girls he barely knows notice him, and he quietly steps into a protective role for his little sister—all while trying to piece together what really happened that day. As the summer winds down and hidden truths come to light, Noah begins to understand that facing the past, even its painful parts, is necessary to make sense of his life and who he is becoming.
Noah is a compelling protagonist and engaging narrator—at times, he has a vibe very similar to Kevin Arnold from The Wonder Years, quietly resilient and vulnerably retelling his story. Watching him grow that summer is like catching fireflies at dusk—brief, bright moments that leave a glow, just like the story’s title suggests. While his amnesia is a major thread of the story, Noah’s journey isn’t just about recovering lost memories; it’s about forging new connections with people he once dismissed or feared and expanding his understanding of himself and the world around him. The friendships he forms—especially with boys who once tormented him—are messy, surprising, and very human scenes, and they’ll resonate with anyone who ever felt like an outsider or experienced bullying, so keep some tissues handy if that’s you! His protective instincts toward his little sister make him even more lovable, and his awkward crush is so authentically expressed that they remind readers just how tender that age was—especially in a pre-internet era!
The pacing is slow-burn but immersive, letting readers feel every interaction, fear, joy, and moment of trauma alongside Noah. The emotionally charged scenes between Noah, his family, and the townsfolk—especially as the trial unfolds and more details come to light—keep readers turning the pages. The midsection expands on the story’s themes of grief, memory, and Noah’s yearning to belong, with some truly cinematic moments. The ending is quietly powerful and lingers long after the final page. Noah’s growth is fully earned, and it’s clear to see how much his understanding of grief and himself has shifted. The final chapters have a bittersweet, nostalgic feeling of summer slipping away—when you sense things will never quite be the same again!
Overall, Under the Light of Fireflies is a standout debut, full of nostalgia, unforgettable characters, and a heartfelt depiction of the fragility and wonder of growing up—especially in a time before the internet made everything so instant. It’s a must-read for fans of literary YA, bittersweet coming-of-age stories, and ’80s nostalgia. By the end, it will leave you glowing, just like the fireflies in the story!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Under the Light of Fireflies is narrated by Christian Leatherman, a seasoned narrator who’s renowned for bringing characters to life across genres.
Leatherman gives Noah a voice that feels true to a twelve-year-old in the early ’80s—vulnerable when he’s trying to make sense of his memory loss, tentative and curious in his conversations with his mother, and quietly hopeful as he grows with new friendships over the course of the summer. Some of the most memorable scenes are when Noah is forced to confront the truths revealed during the trial and about his father’s death, and Leatherman makes his shock, confusion, and realizations feel completely real and relatable. Leatherman gives each character a distinct voice, especially the teens Noah interacts with, making the audiobook feel cinematic and reminiscent of ’80s classics like Stand by Me, The Outsiders, and The Wonder Years. He also handles the Texas accents perfectly and brings the small-town 1980s setting to life so vividly that listeners will feel completely immersed in Noah’s world from the very first chapter!
Overall, Christian Leatherman’s performance elevates the story with his compelling character portrayals, emotional delivery of key scenes, and expert pacing that brings the story to life, making listeners feel like they’re right there alongside Noah. Listeners who enjoy character-driven YA, nostalgic small-town settings, and emotionally nuanced performances with a cinematic feel will especially love this audiobook!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of Under the Light of Fireflies is narrated by Christian Leatherman, a seasoned narrator who’s renowned for bringing characters to life across genres.
Leatherman gives Noah a voice that feels true to a twelve-year-old in the early ’80s—vulnerable when he’s trying to make sense of his memory loss, tentative and curious in his conversations with his mother, and quietly hopeful as he grows with new friendships over the course of the summer. Some of the most memorable scenes are when Noah is forced to confront the truths revealed during the trial and about his father’s death, and Leatherman makes his shock, confusion, and realizations feel completely real and relatable. Leatherman gives each character a distinct voice, especially the teens Noah interacts with, making the audiobook feel cinematic and reminiscent of ’80s classics like Stand by Me, The Outsiders, and The Wonder Years. He also handles the Texas accents perfectly and brings the small-town 1980s setting to life so vividly that listeners will feel completely immersed in Noah’s world from the very first chapter!
Overall, Christian Leatherman’s performance elevates the story with his compelling character portrayals, emotional delivery of key scenes, and expert pacing that brings the story to life, making listeners feel like they’re right there alongside Noah. Listeners who enjoy character-driven YA, nostalgic small-town settings, and emotionally nuanced performances with a cinematic feel will especially love this audiobook!
The audiobook of Under the Light of Fireflies is narrated by Christian Leatherman, a seasoned narrator who’s renowned for bringing characters to life across genres.
Leatherman gives Noah a voice that feels true to a twelve-year-old in the early ’80s—vulnerable when he’s trying to make sense of his memory loss, tentative and curious in his conversations with his mother, and quietly hopeful as he grows with new friendships over the course of the summer. Some of the most memorable scenes are when Noah is forced to confront the truths revealed during the trial and about his father’s death, and Leatherman makes his shock, confusion, and realizations feel completely real and relatable. Leatherman gives each character a distinct voice, especially the teens Noah interacts with, making the audiobook feel cinematic and reminiscent of ’80s classics like Stand by Me, The Outsiders, and The Wonder Years. He also handles the Texas accents perfectly and brings the small-town 1980s setting to life so vividly that listeners will feel completely immersed in Noah’s world from the very first chapter!
Overall, Christian Leatherman’s performance elevates the story with his compelling character portrayals, emotional delivery of key scenes, and expert pacing that brings the story to life, making listeners feel like they’re right there alongside Noah. Listeners who enjoy character-driven YA, nostalgic small-town settings, and emotionally nuanced performances with a cinematic feel will especially love this audiobook!
