318 pages
English language
Published June 27, 2018 by Roaring Brook Press.
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.
This YA novel was interesting a bit 'spooky' as well as adventuresome. Arlo is an interesting and self-deprecating hero. The monsters, villains, and foils are also 'fun'.
The Boy Scouts have got to love the thinly veiled advertisement that this tale provides, too.
This is a story for children (and grownups) who love the Dangerous Book for Boys. It melds fun outdoor activities like camping, sledding, and orienteering with fantasy magic from the wood that borders our world and another. Charming and well-written, while the best time to read a story like this is as a kid, the second best time is right now.
