The Firefly Warriors Club

Texas Boys Adventures Book 1 cover, a middle-grade Texas adventure for boys featuring a ranch setting and fireflies by Susan Count.
Part of the Texas Boys Adventures series:
Editions:Hardcover: $ 16.99
ISBN: 978-1-952371-99-8
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 202
Paperback: $ 9.99
ISBN: 978-0-9970883-2-8
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 202
Kindle: $ 3.99
ISBN: 978-0-9970883-9-7
Audiobook
ISBN: B08QRVTY54

The Firefly Warriors Club

They chase a light and then it chases them.

A sparkling light entices a young naturalist and his bothersome cousin deep into the woods. Soon the young warriors are thrust into battle to save the magic of the last firefly family.

When a mysterious light entices ten-year-old Davy and his younger cousin, Anderson, into the woods, they discover the forest is alive with wonder. Firefly magic dazzles the boys and they vow to save the insects from annihilation.

Then a fire rages in the forest. In spite of the cousins’ creative efforts to help the firefighters, the situation for the fireflies plummets from grim to dire. As the blaze consumes the fireflies’ habitat, the young warriors despair. If only there was—even one left.

 

Published:
Imprint: Hastings Creations Group
Editors:
Deirdre Lockhart—Brilliant Cut Editing

Illustrators:
J-ann Labandelo

Cover Artists:
Matt Konar

Genres:
Grade level: ‎3-7, Juvenile Fiction, Reading age: 8-12 years

Tags:
author, book series, susan count, Texas Boys Adventures, The Firefly Warriors

Excerpt:

“It was right here. Where did it go?” Twelve- year-old Davy searched through his back- pack. “Mike!” he yelled.

From Davy’s closet burst his little brother dressed in Davy’s Wilderness Scout shirt. Davy’s insect collection net flew like a banner above Mike’s head. His brother’s other hand clutched Davy’s Insect Field Guide.

Before Mike could escape, Davy stepped between him and the exit. “Hand ’em over.”

Six-year-old Mike pouted. “Do I have to?” With freckles and red hair, he looked like a younger version of his brother.

Davy’s fierce glare hid his half smile until Mike offered the book. “I’ll only be at Grandpa’s for a week.”

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“Can I come? Can I?”
“When you’re older, you can come. Ruthie will leave for theater camp in two days, and you’ll have the parents all to yourself. You’ll have a great time. Movies and ice cream.” Davy stuffed the field guide into his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and gently pried Mike’s fingers from the collection net. “You’re in charge of my tadpoles, buddy. You can feed them a piece of lettuce sometimes.”

“I can?” Mike asked, bouncing from one foot to the other.

“Guard my room while I’m gone. I’ll give you a candy bar if you can keep Ruthie from getting into my stuff before she goes to camp.”

Mike thrust up two fingers. “Two candy bars.”

“Deal.” Davy moved his new Lego project to the top shelf. “But don’t touch my insect collections. Insects lost their lives so researchers could learn.” Anything Davy caught live, he’d release again after he examined it. The bug-apocalypse wouldn’t be his fault.

The blanket on Davy’s bed looked like sparkly beetles marching in a line. One wall held masses of insect posters and charts. A photograph of a glowing firefly hung next to a shelf stacked with nature magazines.

“And I’ll give you a tip on the parents. Follow Mom around everywhere. Ask her questions, ask for snacks, ask for chocolate milk—you get the idea. You’re good at it. Before I even get to Grandpa’s, she’ll give you the code for the computer games.”

“You know all the tricks, Davy. Thanks.”

A handheld microscope occupied a small desk of its own in the room’s corner. When Davy hooked it to his laptop, he could see the tiniest details. After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed a box and packed the micro- scope to go.

“Want your Scout shirt too?”

“You can wear it. I’m not a Wilderness Scout anymore. And here. Would you like to look at some magazines?”

Mike nodded, holding his palms up.

Davy layered magazines into his waiting hands. “Here’s one on the arctic fox—isn’t he beautiful? You’d love this one on the bald eagle—he’s a symbol for our country. Have you ever heard of a narwhal? It has a tusk that looks like a unicorn’s horn. Amazing, right?”

“Wow. Thanks. You’re the best.”

“Here.” Davy piled on several more nature magazines with big colorful pictures. “These are about insects. Read all these, and I’ll be back before you know it. Learn everything you can, and someday you can be my assistant.”

Then Davy scanned the room. He flipped his Wilderness Scout cap from its hook and stuffed it in a closet cubby before he firmly shut the closet door. And he was off. Off to the best insect observation site he knew—Grandpa’s farm.

The closer to the Texas farm they got, the fewer cars shared the road. When a train whistled in the distance, Davy asked, “Can we wait for it?”

“Sure. There’s no traffic out here. The last vehicle we passed was a tractor.” Dad braked at the crossing. He climbed out and stood beside the car, leaning on the fender.

Davy slipped out the window and balanced on the edge of the frame. His thumbs drummed the hot roof. As the train approached, its whistle blasted every few seconds. Soon after the crossing arms dropped, the earth rumbled, and the car shook. When Davy waved his arm, his whole body rocked from side to side. The engineer waved back and let out one long whistle blast. As Davy admired the bright-colored graffiti artwork covering the sides of the boxcars, the train wheels’ deafening clicky-clack mesmerized him.

“Look!” he shouted to Dad. A giant cartoon firefly covered a freight car’s side. Would it be the only firefly he’d see on this trip? After the train thundered past, he slipped back inside the car. He loved the country life.

“Is a whole week with Grandpa too long?” Dad asked as he steered around a pothole.

“I could stay the whole summer, even if he makes that awful boiled stuff for breakfast.”

“Grits?” Dad chuckled. “You’ll survive. I did.”
Davy scrunched his face and held out his tongue.

“Anyway, I’m gonna explore the woods. For sure, ride the horse. Mostly, I want to hunt for insects and read.”

“When I was a kid, I used to love catching fireflies.” Dad sounded wistful.

“I’d love to catch some, but there are hardly any left.” Davy crushed an empty chip bag. “All kinds of insects are disappearing.”

“I hadn’t thought about it, but I guess that’s right.” “Look at the windshield.” Davy pointed.

“Looks fine.”

“It should be splattered with insects. First insects disappear, then birds starve.”

“They should eat more roaches. Cockroaches will rule the earth,” said Dad.

“Did you know they can live for a week with their head cut off? The only reason they die is if they can’t drink water for a month.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“One roach—its body is six inches long. Its wings are a whole foot long.” Davy turned the book so Dad could see.

Dad shook his head. “I’m driving. And I don’t need that visual. I can imagine the decibels of your mother screaming if she saw one.”

COLLAPSE

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

A Texas boy and his cousin face unexpected challenges when trying to protect fireflies in this middle-grade novel. The author's touch of the supernatural in the plot is deftly balanced with the boys' lively, reality-based adventures and by strong messaging about insects and their vital place in the world's ecology, under threat from pesticides and loss of habitat. "If the insects die, then everything that needs them for food dies too," Davy says. Davy and Anderson will use their strength and ingenuity to corral frightened cattle and help firefighters' efforts to control the blaze, but will they be able to help the fireflies? Meanwhile, the successful, warm heart of the novel is found in the changing dynamic between Davy and Anderson and in subtle character-building messages about friendship, empathy, and courage in the face of fear. Appealing young male protagonists, a touch of magic, respect for nature and human connection, and plenty of action. KIRKUS

Middle grade readers interested in an ecology story of adventure, adversity, and mystery will find delight in this story of Texas boys who investigate the declining number of fireflies in The Firefly Warriors Club. As Davy contemplates creating a firefly habitat and face the special challenge of preserving their environment against forces that would decimate it, young readers receive an ecological lesson couched in a story of peers who decide to move from learning and observation to taking charge of a seemingly-impossible project. This fine tale works well on many levels. Characterization is well done, and the natural history is revealing, linked human and natural affairs and interests and Davy's own evolution in a compelling way. Middle grade readers are in for an informative treat with The Firefly Warriors Club!  MidWest Book Review by Diane Donovan

A charming and at times heartrending adventure. I highly recommend this gripping first book in a new series for middle grade boys. 5 of 5 Stars Literary Soirée 

A charming, 5 Star Review from my 13 year old son - "I really like the story line. Two boys need to save fireflies because the fireflies are going extinct. I read through this book fast because it was very entertaining. My favorite part was, the big fire." 5 mom stars!
Krista

Susan Count has done an excellent job of weaving environmental issues into an action story. In addition to providing a fun read for Middle Grade readers, The Firefly Warriors Club also shows collaboration, empathy, and respect for others.
Author Elena Taylor

This book is filled with adventure and fun insect facts. I say that as a person who definitely does not like bugs of just about any kind (though, I do love to watch the fireflies in my yard every summer). The information is wonderfully disseminated throughout the story.
 I Read Kid's Books

If you've got young children who love to read about nature, you need to introduce them to The Firefly Warriors Club! Though the book's main characters are boys, I think your girls will enjoy it just as much as your boys will.
Christy's Cozy Corners

The Firefly Warriors Club by Susan Count is a fun, informative, and suspenseful Middle-Grade adventure book. Readers will learn a lot about fireflies, as well as farm life, mechanical workings, cowboy antics, and firefighting.
Here's How It Happened

 

Goodreads Review:

5 Star Review from my 13 year old son -
"I really liked the story line. Two boys need to save fireflies because the fireflies are going extinct. I read through this book fast because it was very entertaining. My favorite part was, the big fire, also when the boys got lost."

"I would recommend this book to boys my age because I think they would really like it! I also would read more from this author. I'm hoping this is the first book in a series."

My mom thoughts- My son read through this book quickly and was never bored. I look forward to having my other children read this book. 5 mom stars! - Krista

View The Firefly Warriors Club on Goodreads

 

Write-Ups & Additional Reviews:

KEYWORDS

  • Fireflies
  • Middle grade novel,
  • Insect facts,
  • Texas boys,
  • Touch of the supernatural,
  • Bond with grandparent,
  •  Farm life,
  •  Mechanical workings,
  •  Cowboy antics,
  •  Firefighting

THEME

  • The Firefly Warriors  by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel with wonderfully disseminated, fun insect facts. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of empathy, respect, courage, and collaborative friendships. The story promotes kindness in a page turning, warm hearted narrative.
  • Strong messaging about insects,
  • Warm hearted novel,
  • Subtle character-building messages about friendship, empathy, and courage in the face of fear,
  • Respect for nature,
  • Collaboration, empathy, and respect for others,
  • Wonderfully disseminated, fun insect facts,

 

COPYRIGHT PAGE

  • Text Copyright © 2020 Susan Count
  • Cover Art: Matt Konar
  • Inside Illustrations: J-ann Labandelo
  • Editor: Deirdre Lockhart—Brilliant Cut Editing
  • Published by Hastings Creations Group
  • All Rights Reserved. No part of this text may be transmitted, reproduced, downloaded, or electronically stored without the express written permission of Susan Count.
  • This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and story incidents or actions are all products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual businesses or persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
  • Library of Congress Control Number: 2020903577
  • Count, Susan
  • The Firefly Warriors Club – Texas Boys Adventures / Susan Count
  • Children’s Fiction / Nature
  • ISBN: 978-0-9970883-2-8 (pbk)
  • ISBN: 978-1-952371-99-8 (hbk)
  • ISBN: 978-0-9970883-9-7 (ebk)
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hastings Creations Group
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 24, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0997088328
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0997088328
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.5 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.46 x 8 inches

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