Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire

Description

When Arlo Finch moves to Pine Mountain, Colorado, he has no idea what's in store for him in this tiny town full of mystery and magic. When he joins the Rangers, Pine Mountain's version of the Boy Scouts, it leads him into adventures he never thought possible. Wilderness and magical powers collide throughout the beautiful, dense forest surrounding his new home, and as Arlo begins to learn the way of the Rangers, he also discovers courage, strength, and a destiny he never knew he possessed. Screenwriter and long-time Tim Burton collaborator John August has created a new fantasy adventure trilogy that draws readers in from the very first page and introduces them to an exciting new world of magic and danger so believable that you may wonder if it exists in your own backyard. Accessible, readable, fun, and well-paced, this is a book that reads like it should be on your TV screen, right after you finish watching Stranger Things.

Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, John August earned a degree in journalism from Drake University and an MFA in film from USC. As a screenwriter, his credits include Big Fish, Charlie's Angels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Frankenweenie. In addition to his film career, he hosts a popular weekly podcast, Scriptnotes, with Craig Mazin.

"Accomplished screenwriter August artfully thrusts readers into a whole new world, right alongside Arlo . . . This is just the first volume in a new series, so readers won't have to wait long to plunge back into the mysterious Long Woods." --Booklist "Much like other popular series such as 'Percy Jackson, ' [this is] an exciting fantasy novel grounded in reality with a strong emphasis on friendships and great characters. This new series will appeal to fans of mystery and adventure as well as reluctant readers." --School Library Journal "The mysteries--from what makes Arlo a target to why a girl who vanished years ago has reappeared to him and only him--become increasingly more compelling as more pieces are revealed . . . Readers will find Arlo relatable, especially if they've ever struggled to fit in themselves." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A thrilling adventure full of magic and wonder. John August is a master storyteller." --Ransom Riggs, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children "A fast, fun, and fearless tale. Arlo's adventures feel both completely real and entirely magical. I loved it!" --Ally Condie, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Matched and Summerlost "A masterful mix of mystery and adventure, set in a supernatural scouting troop. Reading this book made me wish I hadn't dropped out of Cub Scouts." --Geoff Rodkey, New York Times-bestselling author of the Tapper Twins series