From the author of THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST comes a lush and timely tale about a boy who’s grown up as the only human in an enchanted rainforest and what happens when people from the outside world discover his home.
Arrow, a 12-year-old boy with a limb difference, has grown up as the only human in a lush, magical rainforest that’s closed off from the rest of the world. He was raised by the Guardian Tree, the protector of the forest, which uses the earth’s magic to keep it hidden from those who have sought to exploit and kill it. But now the magic veil is deteriorating, the forest is dying, and Arrow may be the only one who can save it.
Arrow has never seen another human until one day, a man in a small airplane crash-lands in the forest. Then, a group of children finds their way in, escaping from their brutal, arid world where the rich live in luxurious, walled-off cities and the poor struggle for survival.
The Guardian Tree urges Arrow to convince the trespassers to leave by any means necessary. Arrow is curious about these newcomers, but their arrival sets off a chain of events that leave him with a devastating choice: be accepted by his own kind or fight to save the forest that is his home.
Available now in hardcover, paperback and ebook from Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster. Click on the links below…
Scroll down for resources for readers and educators and more.
Praise for ARROW
“I don’t think it is possible to explain how truly amazing this story is. It’s like How to Train Your Dragon, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Princess Mononoke all wrapped up in one.”
~Marielle, Towne Book Center
“A compelling adventure about resilience, hope, and learning to trust your own heart.”
~Lynne Kelly, author of Song For a Whale
“A richly imagined fable about the need to connect with people of divergent tribes…and thereby heal a wounded planet. Clark blends fantasy and science into a lush and timely tapestry that enlightens and enchants.”
~Susan Fletcher, author of Journey of the Pale Bear
Check out ARROW’s trailer:
A big THANK YOU to Justin Hernandez for the illustrations, Laurent Linn for the book’s art direction and my awesome husband Jamie Clark for the animation and editing of this trailer.
Resources for Readers and Educators
HOW TO PLANT SEED PAPER
Did I give you seed paper? Gather some soil and water and learn how to plant it here.
DISCOVERDISCUSSION GUIDE
Discuss the themes of ARROW, including climate change, trust and friendship.
DOWNLOADRESOURCE LINKS
Learn more about forests and limb differences, and how you can protect trees.
DISCOVERCREATE YOUR TREE OF YOU
In this fun activity, celebrate everything that makes you wonderful — as a tree.
DISCOVERLEARN ABOUT SOIL WITH EDIBLE DIRT
The only kind of dirt you should eat is this cake, and you’ll learn stuff too.
DISCOVERExpert Interviews
I worked with amazing people on ARROW. Check out these interviews I did with some of them:
DISABILITY EXPERT SARAH TUBERTY
“When our children read that Arrow climbs trees, it sends the message to children with and without limb differences that kids with limb differences climb trees. This is a simple yet powerful message for all of us.”
READEDITOR SARAH JANE ABBOTT
“Every character in the book has a special place in my heart, especially Arrow and the Guardian. But actually, besides them, my favorite is the leader of the Herd, Storma!”
READILLUSTRATOR JUSTIN HERNANDEZ
“A bunch of my initial thoughts were along the lines: ‘Oh! I need to draw this! No wait, this! And this!’ Again, there was a lot of striking imagery in the book.”
READARROW in the news:
MIDDLE-GRADE MOJO
This review of ARROW calls the book “a captivating read that kept me turning the page.”
READ THE REVIEWMY COMFY CHAIR
This review of ARROW calles the book “a fascinating novel”, with reminisces of Lois Lowry’s The Giver.
READ THE REVIEWINDIE BOOKSTORE PICKS LIST
ARROW is recommended in this Kids Summer 2021 Indie Bookstore Picks of the List!
CHECK OUT THE LISTARROW IN A LIST OF FANTASY MG NOVELS
I’m honored to see ARROW topping this list of fantasy novels for kids ages 8-12.
CHECK OUT THE LISTENVIRONMENTAL FICTION GUIDE
ARROW is included in this wonderful Guide to Using Environmental Fiction and Nonfiction in the Classroom.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEBOOKPEOPLE
In this guest post, I discuss my inspiration for ARROW and how the story first began long ago in my childhood.
READ THE GUEST POSTFROM THE MIXED UP FILES
In this interview, I talk about the themes, inspiration and more behind ARROW and AMERICAN HORSE TALES: HOLLYWOOD.
READ THE INTERVIEWMG BOOK VILLAGE
In this interview, I talk about the writing of ARROW, including the Guardian Tree and Arrow characters, plus more.
READ THE INTERVIEW