Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, a review 2.06.18

Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire

by John August

published by Roaring Book Press

February 6th

Goodreads Summary:
The first book in a spellbinding fantasy adventure series so believable you may wonder if it's happening in your own backyard.

As Arlo looked around, the walls of his room began to vanish, revealing a moonlit forest. Only his bed remained, and the frame of his window, through which he saw the girl. The world on her side of the glass was sparkling with silver and gold, like a palace made of autumn leaves.

She looked off to her right. Someone was coming. Her words came in an urgent whisper: "If I can see you, they can see you. You're in danger. Be careful, Arlo Finch.”

Arlo Finch is a newcomer to Pine Mountain, Colorado, a tiny town of mystery and magic, but he's already attracted the attention of dark and ancient forces. At first he thinks these increasingly strange and frightening occurrences are just part of being in Rangers, the mountain scouting troop where he learns how to harness the wild magic seeping in from the mysterious Long Woods. But soon Arlo finds himself at the center of a dangerous adventure, where he faces obstacles that test the foundations of the Ranger's Vow: Loyalty, Bravery, Kindness, and Truth.


Why you want to know this book:
I know you have readers who love to read on the edge of their seat.  They want to find books that they fall into and can't pull themselves out of.  These readers have a hard time "finding a good place to stop" because bottom line, there is no place to stop - you just have to keep turning the page!
It took me a bit to fall into this book - the story takes just a bit to set up.  You learn about Arlo's family and what brings him to Pine Mountain.  You meet Arlo's new friends and learn about the group he's going to join - the Rangers, a mountain scouting group.  As the background of the story gets set up, there are some weird occurrences - Arlo sees a ghost dog and talks to the reflection of a girl in his window.  Once the background is set up, then the action really starts.  And that's when my bedtime got stretched just a bit!


Give this book to:

• readers who love suspense and action
• readers who enjoy fantasy
• kids who enjoy being part of a group such as Boy/Girl Scouts
• fans of Harry Potter and Fablehaven series

Spotlight Friday - February releases 2.02.18

Time to get ready for the weekend!

Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.

Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.

Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

As much as I hate winter, the start of the year always means new books.  Lots of fun ones to look forward to in February!

Picture Books


What Do You Do With a Chance?
written by Kobi Yamada
illustrated by Mae Besom
published by Compendium Inc.
February 6th\


The Big Umbrella
by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
published by Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
February 6th


Wordy Birdy
written by Tammi Sauer
illustrated by Dave Mottram
published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers
February 6th


Kate, Who Tamed the Wind
written by Liz Garton Scanlon
illustrated by Lee White
published by Schwartz and Wade Books
February 6th


Nobody's Duck
by Mary Sullivan
published by HMH for Young Readers 
February 6th


Be Kind
written by Pat Zietlow Miller
illustrated by Jen Hill
published by Roaring Brook Press
February 6th


The Boy and the Blue Moon
written by Sara O'Leary
illustrated by Ashley Crowley
published by Henry Holt
February 13th


Vincent Comes Home
by Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley
published by Roaring Brook Press
February 13th


Peep and Egg I'm Not Using the Potty
written by Laura Gehl
illustrated by Joyce Wan
published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
February 13th


A Chip Off the Old Block
written by Jody Jensen Shaffer
illustrated by Daniel Miyares
published by Nancy Paulsen Books
February 20th


Wild One
written by Jane Whittingham
illustrated by Noel Tuazon
published by Pajama Press
February 23rd (although mine came early!)


Big Choo
by Stephen Shaskan
published by Scholastic 
February 27th


Teddy's Favorite Toy
written by Christian Trimmer
illustrated by Madeline Valentine
published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
February 27th


When Pigs Fly
by James Burks
published by Disney-Hyperion
February 27th

Nonfiction Picture Books


Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
written by Kyo Maclear
illustrated by Julie Morstad
published by HarperCollins
February 6th


Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon
written by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Micha Archer
published by Nancy Paulsen Books
February 6th


Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen
written by Candace Fleming
illustrated by Eric Rohmann 
published by Schwartz and Wade Books
February 6th


Warbler Wave
by April Pulley Sayre
published by Beach Lane Books
February 13th


Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up
written by Sally Walker 
illustrated by William Grill
published by Candlewick Press
February 13th


Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmers?
written by Tanya Lee Stone
illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
published by Henry Holt and Co.
February 20th


Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet
by April Pulley Sayre
published by Greenwillow Books
February 20th


The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell
written by Candace Fleming
illustrated by Gerard Dubois
published by Schwartz and Wade Books
February 27th


All That Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem With Stuff
written by Meghan McCarthy
published by Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
February 27th

Early Readers/Transitional Chapter Books


Heartwood Hotel: Better Together
written by Kallie George
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
published by Disney-Hyperion
February 6th



Baby Monkey Private Eye
by Brian Selznick and David Serlin
published by Scholastic
February 27th

Middle Grade


Stanley Will Probably Be Fine
by Sally J. Pla
published by HarperCollins
February 6th


Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire
by John August
published by Roaring Book Press
February 6th


Checked
by Cynthia Kadohata
published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
February 6th


Bringing Me Back
by Beth Vrabel
published by Sky Pony Press
February 6th


Geeked Out
by Obert Skye
published by Christy Ottaviano Books
February 6th


The Unwanteds Quests: Dragon Bones
by Lisa McMann
published by Aladdin
February 6th


Playing Atari With Saddam Hussein
by Jennifer Roy
published by HMH
February 6th


The 11:11 Wish
by Kim Tomsic
published by Katherine Tegen Books
February 13th


A Pup Called Trouble
by Bobbie Pyron
published by Katherine Tegen Books
February 13th


The Art of the Swap
by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone
published by Simon and Schuster/Aladdin
February 13th


Granted
by John David Anderson
published by Walden Pond Press
February 13th


The Oceans Between Stars
by Kevin Emerson
published by Walden Pond Press
February 13th


One True Way 
by Shannon Hitchcock
published by Scholastic
February 27th


The Serpent's Secret: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond
by Sayantani DasGupta
published by Scholastic
February 27th

Young Adult


The Belles
by Dhonielle Clayton
published by Disney-Hyperion 
February 6th


The Traitor's Game
by Jennifer Nielsen
published by Scholastic
February 27th

Yup, will be another great reading month!  I don't know about you, but my library holds are already at a maximum!

Of course there are more books than this that will be published this month.  If there is a book you're looking forward to, add it in the comments so other readers know to look out for it!

All of the publishing houses and dates came from Goodreads.  Check the official publishers page for any changes.

#road2reading Challenge - what's in my stacks? 2.01.18

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools 

that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Here are some books that have been in my stacks lately:

Early Readers


Meet Woof and Quack
written by Jamie A. Swenson
illustrated by Ryan Sias
This seems to be a popular style of book for young readers now - silly, predictable, goofy characters.  Give this to your young readers who enjoy Jan Thomas' Giggle Gang series or Jonathan Fenske's A Pig, A Fox, and a Box books.


My Friends Make Me Happy
by Jan Thomas


My Toothbrush is Missing
by Jan Thomas

I've loved Jan Thomas' books, but these really did make me laugh out loud.  There's something that makes us laugh when one (or more of the characters) just doesn't get the obvious.  I have no doubt kids will love these next two books in this silly series!


Louise Loves Bake Sales
written by Laura Driscoll
illustrated by Kelly Light
I've loved the Louise and Art books, so it's fun to see it brought to an early reader series.  In this first book Louise and Art make some art in the kitchen with cupcakes!  


Please, No More Nuts!
by Jonathan Fenske
Another fun book about those protein filled nuts and the squirrels who love to eat them, except this time they've had more than enough and they're ready to share!  Do you want some nuts???


Pass the Ball, Mo!
written by David A. Adler
illustrated by Sam Ricks
Another fun book in this sports series featuring young Mo.  He's an athlete that may not have the best skills, but he makes up for it with lots of heart.

Want to see some inside pages?  Check out Alyson's post from a couple of weeks ago!

Do you work with readers who are starting their journey on the road to reading?  Join Alyson Beecher from Kid Lit Frenzy and me every Thursday as we explore books and ideas to help readers have a successful start to independent picture book and chapter book reading. If you blog or have a Goodreads page, please link up with us!