Light in the Canyon
292 pages
June 23, 2026
NOW AVAILABLE! This astonishing debut novel for young adults and readers of all ages—in the spirit of beloved writers like Madeleine L’Engle and Maile Meloy—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.
| Hardcover | ISBN 9781639822270 | $39.00 |
| Paperback | ISBN 9781639822263 | $22.00 |
| eBook | ISBN 9781639822287 | $12.99 |
on Goodreads
NOW AVAILABLE! 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 Maile Meloy—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.
What Others Are Saying
… this artful novel demonstrates the power of community and empathy as it moves across three decades to restore faith and heal wounded hearts. Contemplative storytelling for teens looking for something off the beaten path.
Booklist
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
