Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows by John August - ADVISABLE

Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows (Arlo Finch #3) by John August, 314 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2020. $17.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Arlo and the Blue Patrol may be camping out, but only because Arlo and the gang are headed through The Long Woods to China to retrieve Arlo’s Dad. While ARlo is gone, however, the worst news possible comes through – Hadryn has escaped captivity.  Hadryn the villain who has harassed the Rangers over two generations.  Hadryn the villain who wants something that Arlo is protecting – something that other also want to possess.  So not only does Arlo have to deal with the vageries of middle school, now he has to deal with human and mythical forces who want to capture him. Again.

I have a hard time with August saying that this is just a trilogy, because I would be happy to read more Arlo adventures.  I hope this mean that he has another series primed to be published! There is a really sweet scene where a transgender Ranger is mentioned in passing – loved it.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS