A review by jessieweaver
Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire by John August

5.0

I read this aloud to my 9-year-old daughter, and we both really loved it. It’s a brand-new middle-grade fantasy series from John August, who has been a screenwriter up to now. Arlo has a tricky family situation: his dad is wanted by the FBI for something he didn’t do and fled to China, so his mom has had a rocky time with Arlo and his teenaged sister, Jaycee. At the beginning of the book, the three move in with Mom’s brother in Colorado. The book takes place over winter, as Arlo is introduced to the Rangers, a scout-like troop, who camps, earns badges, and learn to tie knots. But they also deal with otherworldly creatures, some of which seem to be after Arlo. The more I think about this one, the more I LOVE it. I hope it’s a big thing! We can’t wait for the next book in the series; Libbie’s devastated that it won’t come out until next Spring.