For children settling into a new place and grappling with unexpected challenges, this book offers a thrilling tale of bravery, friendship, and hidden magic.
For a child adjusting to a new town and struggling to find their place, this book offers an empowering escape into a world of hidden magic. Arlo Finch has just moved to the tiny mountain town of Pine Mountain, Colorado, a place he finds strange and unsettling. But when he joins the Rangers, a local scouting group, he discovers that their camping trips and knot-tying lessons are a cover for learning wild magic in the mysterious Long Woods. This story blends the relatable feelings of loneliness and the challenge of making friends with a thrilling fantasy adventure. It's an excellent choice for middle-grade readers who love mystery, magic, and tales of bravery and loyalty.
The protagonist's father has been missing for years, a key source of family sadness.
Sensitive Topics
The primary sensitive topic is that of a missing parent. Arlo's father has been gone for years under mysterious circumstances, which is a source of sadness and motivation for him and his family. The approach is direct in its emotional impact on the characters but becomes metaphorical as the magical 'Kingdom of Shadows' seems connected to his father's fate. The resolution within this book is ambiguous, setting up a series arc, but the story ends on a hopeful note as Arlo finds a new sense of belonging and purpose.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 9-12 year old who loves outdoor adventure and portal-style fantasy like Percy Jackson or The Spiderwick Chronicles. It's particularly well-suited for a child navigating a move or a new school, who may feel like an outsider and would benefit from a story where the strange and unfamiliar becomes a source of power and belonging.
Parent Prep
The creatures, especially the Rags and the whisperings from the Kingdom of Shadows, can be genuinely creepy. The scenes where characters are alone in the dark, haunted woods are suspenseful. Parents of more sensitive readers may want to preview chapters involving nighttime patrols in the Long Woods (e.g., Chapter 12). The book can be read cold as the world-building is very clear. A parent has recently moved with their family and notices their child is having a hard time adjusting. The child might seem more withdrawn, express missing their old home, or say things like, "I don't have any friends here." The parent is looking for a book that acknowledges these feelings but channels them into an exciting adventure.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the adventure: the cool magic, the scout troop activities, and the scary monsters. The friendships and good-vs-evil plot will be the main takeaway. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the nuance of the world-building, the ongoing mystery of Arlo's father, and the emotional undercurrents of finding your place and defining what family means.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasies set in boarding schools or alternate dimensions, Arlo Finch grounds its magic in the familiar, tangible world of scouting. The idea that magic can be harnessed through practical skills like knot-tying and found in the local woods makes the fantasy feel incredibly accessible and close. This unique blend of the mundane and the magical sets it apart from more epic or high-fantasy contemporaries.
Read plot summary
After moving to Pine Mountain, Colorado, Arlo Finch joins a scout-like group called the Rangers. He quickly learns that the Rangers patrol the Long Woods, a mysterious and magical forest bordering the town, and practice a form of nature-based magic. With his new friends Indra and Wu, Arlo learns to harness magical forces to survive the dangers of the woods, including monstrous creatures made of shadow and cloth called Rags. Arlo discovers he has a unique and powerful connection to this magic, which puts him in the crosshairs of a terrifying, ancient entity known as the Eldritch, all while grappling with the mystery of his own father's disappearance years ago.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Arlo, Indra, and Wu each have different skills and personalities. How did their differences help them when they worked together as a team in the Long Woods? Why is it important that they aren't all the same?
2
The Rangers use 'Lores,' which are magical abilities that require focus and belief. If you could create a Lore to help you with something in your own life, what would it be called and what would it do?
3
Connor acts like a bully toward Arlo for much of the book. Why do you think he behaves this way? Does learning about his home life change how you see him?
4
Arlo feels like an outsider when he first arrives in Pine Mountain. What specific actions from Indra and Wu help him start to feel like he belongs? What are some small ways you could help a new person feel welcome?
