Overview

A year has passed since Halley's mom died, but she still feels like she's falling to pieces. Dad talks her into joining him at her uncle Gill's house for yet another homemade science experiment (something to do with black holes and cosmic rays), but to their horror, his machine explodes in a flash of blue light. Jamie finds himself increasingly isolated now that his brother Ash left for college-not long after his father left for forever. Out for a walk, he's thinking about the book that Raina, the neighborhood librarian, gave him when there's a sudden explosion down the street. . . . A few houses away, the blast hits Raina too. She's joined by Halley's dad, who can't find his daughter-or his brother. Their search leads them first to Gill's wrecked machine, then to a secluded farmhouse where a young girl died many years ago. This astonishing debut novel for young adults and readers of all ages-in the spirit of beloved writers like Madeleine L'Engle and Claire Legrand-is by turns chilling, tender, and profound. A story of loss and courage, Light in the Canyon explores how change can help us discover who we're truly meant to be.

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9781639822270

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Reviews

Light in the Canyon is a welcome outlier in an era of fast-paced, disposable young adult literature. Darren Cools writes with a precision and grace that recalls the philosophical and theological wonder of novels like A Wrinkle in Time, offering a story of transformative courage that trusts the reader to navigate the deep waters of becoming, all while never forgetting the amount of courage required to grow up. Cools is that rare literary voice capable of mapping the intricate architecture of the human spirit alongside the raw, enduring heart of adolescence. The result is a novel that will touch the hearts and minds of readers young and old. -Bryan Bliss, National Book Award finalist, author of We'll Fly Away In Light in the Canyon, an explosion thrusts an expertly-drawn, dynamic, multi-generational cast of characters out of their normal lives and into a voyage of grieving, healing, and growth. But first, all must confront the darkness of a shared past. The gorgeous poetry in Darren Cools's beautifully-paced prose pulls us in and lifts us into this transcendent reckoning. -Patrick Flores-Scott, author of American Road Trip

Author Information

Darren Cools grew up on the east side of Washington State. He loves the ocean, stormy skies, and campfires in autumn. A designer and a graduate student of social work, he writes and draws for young people in the moments between. His home is in Michigan with his wife Anna and their three children.

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