National Park Mystery Series
Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park (Book 1)
Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park by Aaron Johnson is book one in his National Park Mystery Series. The main character, Jake, is still struggling with the loss of his beloved grandfather. As the story opens, Jake is decoding a cipher left by his grandfather that leads to a special scrapbook for his two month long trip visiting various National Parks in the U.S. Jake quickly figures out that there are more clues to be solved within the scrapbook left by his grandfather that directly relates to the different parks he will visit. His grandfather, before his death, planned the entire two-month trip and left various clues - a scavenger hunt of sorts - for Jake to uncover.
Jake’s family is not entirely alone on this endeavor. Wes, Jake’s cousin, and his family also attend this adventure; along with Amber and her family who are family friends to Jake’s parents. At first desiring to keep the scrapbook and clues a secret, Jake eventually relents and shares everything with Wes and Amber who are excited to help Jake uncover and discover all the clues, which makes up the entirety of this first book in the series as they go on various trips and adventures to discover all the clues left within the Rocky Mountain National Park. At the end of this book, they are ready - armed with their clues - for the next National Park.
However, there is more going on then Jake knows and the reader is given privilege to a mysterious back story as there are chapters that go back in time to 1880 and a young man named Abe who has gotten himself in a bit of trouble, but also uncovers a mystery himself with silver arrow heads. As readers will learn by the end of book one - Abe is Jake’s great great grandfather and the journal uncovered belongs to him.
Additionally, whatever secrets have been hidden by Jake’s ancestor and the knowledge now entrusted to him has made him vulnerable as there are people who are not after him for the knowledge he has. He manages to get away from them in book one, but it is clear that these nefarious others will soon be back.
Noteworthy Quotes/Mentions:
“Jake held the scrapbook on his lap, stunned by what he’d just heard and feeling it soak in. His grandfather had planned this trip, taking them to places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone” (19). What makes this stand out is to consider the love of the grandfather to plan in advance something for his grandson to enjoy and remember him by. I think it is a noteworthy point to remind readers of the kind acts we can plan in advance for those we love - something we know they would enjoy.
When Jake uncovers the first clue in the park, he is told, “‘We don’t know the Keeper by his real name–just his radio handle: Mather.’ The old man’s eyes darted around the room. ‘Kid, I wish I could tell you more, but it’s just not safe to talk about it out in the open’” (44). From here, the added mystery is set in motion.
On page 109 when Jake finally reveals everything to Amber and Wes, their responses are ones of kindness. Wes is excited for the adventure, but Amber takes a moment to acknowledge the grief and loss Jake has been experiencing since the loss of his grandfather.
In a chapter focused on events in 1880, Abe must confront one of the nefarious men of the time along with a ranch owner - Abner. In reflecting on the events and Abner’s confidence in the situation the text says, “In front of him, Abner rode with the ease of a man who knew exactly who he was and where he was going. And Abe wondered if he stayed long enough, if he too might become such a man” (122). Readers also learn early on that Abe was an orphan without a last name.
“Abe took in a deep breath and stared up at the mountain again. It all felt impossible. Impossible. The force of that word stung. It was a word full of nevers and nots, of ifs and don’ts. It made him think of the city. They said I’d never leave. That I couldn’t save the money for the ticket. ‘Don’t risk it.’ ‘It’s not worth trying.’ Well, I’m here. They were wrong. And I guess this is what being free looks like. Like risk. Like trust” (194).
“That would take some patience,” Abe remarked.
“Anything worthwhile does,” Abner replied (196).
Parents will be delighted that this book is truly perfect for readers 8+ as there is adventure and mystery without anything inappropriate or any scary scenes that might be unsuitable to some children. This book would also make a great family read aloud if you are looking for a night time reading series. If you have young readers who love the outdoors or are part of a scouting group like American Heritage Girls or Trail Life, there is much in the story that would capture their imagination and might be relatable to some of their experiences in being adventure bound. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and I look forward to providing additional information on other books within the series.
Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park (Book 2)
Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park is book two in the National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson. Picking up where book one ends, the children and their families arrive at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Desiring to continue their adventures and exploration, Jake, Amber, and Wes plan to go sandboarding on the Dunes. During their excursion they identify a pond in the dunes, something they learn later is a very rare occurrence. However, while there they quickly hide after hearing voices and the discovering of ancient artifacts. The children are shocked to discover three people looting the site.
After arriving back to camp, the children inform their parents and a ranger of what they discovered. Before they know it, their short three day visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park becomes jam packed with mysteries to solve and looters to catch. With the help of Jake, Amber, and Wes the looters are eventually caught, the artifacts restored, and more clues to further adventure left for them to solve.
In the midst of uncovering the mystery surrounding the stolen artifacts, Jake, Amber, and Wes do still manage to solve the mysterious clues left by Jake’s grandfather which leads them to a special meeting with Elmyra Holcomb. As Jake learns from Elmyra, she knew his distant relatives - Abe and Emma Evans. Abe, readers will remember from book one, marries Emma Evans who is introduced in this novel with the interweaving story of Jake and his friends. Emma discovers a dog in the forest who is being chased by hounds and men on horses. Once returning back to a homestead she is working on, Ulysses, the owner of the homestead, helps Emma care for the dog and the two of them leave the next day to follow the dog who leads them to his owner - Abe Evans - trapped in a cavern. A mysterious man is after Abe and the information he has concerning a silver spear head and a wooden box. Both end up in the hands of Jake, Amber, and Wes, and they are only just beginning to understand what they have as they are on their way to their next destination - the Grand Canyon.
Noteworthy quotes/mentions:
When Jake and Amber agree to follow Wes’s suggestion of where the hidden loot might be in the park, Wes feels worried about looming judgment if his suggestion is wrong. He worries that Jake and Amber will be mad if he is wrong. Both reassure him that they will not be angry. “I mean, back at school, no one listens to me. Nobody takes me seriously. But you guys are different. You believed in my idea right away, and you followed me out here into the middle of nowhere.”
“You’re right, Wes,” Amber said. “We did. Because we think you’re smart. And we trust you” (97).
“But you know, life, it turns out that way, but only when you really live it –when you go on adventures, take risks, and do courageous things like Miss Emma” (154).
“[F]olks looking for treasure often forget themselves, and they forget what they’re really after” (160).
Jake receives a knife from the lead ranger who assists the children throughout the story. The knife has the word trust engraved on it. The ranger explains that it was given to him to one day pass on when the right person came along. He then entrusts Jake with the same commission. In thinking back on his grandpa at this moment, Jake is reminded of something his grandpa used to tell him, “Sometimes, when you’re doing the right thing, it’s a magnet for good stuff to happen” (218).
If you have a reader who enjoyed book one or you are just being introduced to this series for the first time, then I would highly recommend this book and series thus far. I am awaiting the arrival of book three and book six is on preorder. Readers who love mystery and adventure will love this series and Johnson does a great job of keeping the story engaging and moving at a pace that will keep even your reluctant reader hooked. Again, the story has great support from parents who are involved in providing guidance and protection, but also encouraging independence and courage from the young protagonists. Parents will appreciate the great themes and the way the characters emulate the proper way to work through disagreements and disappointments.
