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.