Review of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire by John August

As a newcomer to the small town of Pine Mountain, Colorado, Arlo Finch joins the Rangers (a scouting group) to fit in and make friends. Little does Arlo know that there is something mysterious about the Rangers and his new town. Nestled at the edge of the Long Woods, a mysterious forest, Arlo soon discovers magical creatures as well as something sinister that seems to be stalking him. Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is an engaging new fantasy series aimed at middle-grade students.

Image

Image of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire; To, V. (2018). [Cover image of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire]. Retrieved from https://johnaugust.com/arlo-finch

Evaluation

One of the strengths of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is the setting. When Arlo and his family first arrive in Pine Mountain, they find themselves living in a creepy, rundown house that is literally falling apart around them. Arlo’s sister says their new home “looks like a murder house” (August, 2018, p. 2). The state of the house mirrors that of their lives, which are in shambles as well. Upon first meeting his uncle, Uncle Wade warns Arlo to stay out of the forest: “it’s not bad, it’s not good. It’s just dangerous if you’re not ready” (August, 2018, p. 2). As Arlo learns more about his new surroundings, he discovers that the magical Long Woods are adjacent to the town of Pine Mountain. The Long Woods are similar to our world, though filled with magical beings, but it’s almost as if our world has been amplified: “the white-capped mountains in the distance were taller than anything Arlo had ever seen. Ever imagined. They filled half the sky” (August, 2018, p. 253). From the creepy house to the mysterious and dangerous woods, the setting of the novel sets the tone for the entire story.

Character development is another strength of the novel. From the very beginning, the reader learns that Arlo is a worried middle-schooler who likes to be prepared: “It was the unimaginable things that kept Arlo awake at night, the vague fears of terrible dangers he would never see coming” (August, 2018, p. 7). Arlo’s fears of the unknown provide a sense of foreshadowing; the reader knows something mysterious and scary is going on in town. What new dangers will Arlo Finch face? As an anxious newcomer, Arlo Finch seems like the perfect candidate to join the Rangers, a scouting group whose vow starts with “loyal, brave, kind and true” (August, 2018, p. 282). Arlo appreciates the Rangers, not just because he makes new friends, but because they are orderly and goal-oriented (August, 2018, p. 57). In a world where everything seems topsy-turvy, Arlo is comforted by the structure that he finds in the Rangers. As the novel progresses, Arlo truly embraces the Ranger vow of being loyal, brave, kind and true.

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is a fantasy with strong magical creatures. At the very start of the story, Arlo discovers a ghost dog named Cooper and later looks through a mirror, expecting to see his reflection but instead seeing a girl in the woods. On his first campout with the Rangers, Arlo hears thunderclaps (August, 2018, p. 60) and sees snaplights (August, 2018, p. 63) for the first time; he discovers the Wonder, the magic that exists in and around the Long Woods (August, 2018, p. 65). He also discovers Wisps, noting that “the glowing sphere [was] suspended in midair” (August, 2018, p. 77). As the novel progresses, Arlo and the reader are introduced to more and more magical creatures and elements, and they become scarier and more sinister. The magical characters in the novel help define it as a fantasy.

Response

I found the scouting aspect of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire intriguing. As a former den leader for Cub Scouts, the skills (like tying knots) that Arlo learns are very familiar to me. I think that scouting groups, like the Rangers, can be really beneficial to kids who, like Arlo, are searching for their own path. Arlo has a lot going on in his life, and the Rangers appeal to him because the program is so structured. Even though the novel is a fantasy, the author includes enough elements from the real world to make it highly relatable. Themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance are key to this novel, and these are all things that are important to me. As a work of entertainment, I thoroughly enjoyed Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire. It was a fast-paced fantasy with ties to the real world that made me want to keep reading. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and am looking forward to reading the sequel so I can learn what happens to Arlo next.

Conclusion

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is an engaging middle-grade fantasy. The setting, with the spooky house and mysterious forest, sets the stage for the rest of the novel. Arlo Finch is a fully developed and very believable character, and the magical creatures define this book as a fantasy. Overall, while the book is somewhat formulaic, it would definitely appeal to fans of the fantasy genre. I was fully engaged, wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. I recommend this book for ages 8 to 12; 4 stars.

Citations

August, J. (2018). Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

To, V. (2018). [Cover image of Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire]. Retrieved from https://johnaugust.com/arlo-finch