Danger in Zion National Park

National Park Mystery #4

by Aaron Johnson, India Johnson (illustrator)

From the dizzying heights of Angels Landing to the mysterious depths of The Narrows, this fourth book in the bestselling series follows Jake, Amber, and Wes on a perilous quest in Zion National Park.

Ages 7 to 14 - Illustrated by the Author - An Edge-of-Your-Seat Page-Turner

While camping in Zion National Park, Jake Evans and his friends uncover a new set of cryptic clues hidden in his grandfather’s scrapbook. Battling unpredictable weather, unforeseen challenges, and an elusive adversary, the three friends are forced to rely on their problem-solving skills, the power of their growing friendship, and the courage to do the right thing.

With over thirty illustrations hand-drawn by the author, this mystery adventure is not just a tale—it's an immersive experience. It makes for an enjoyable bedtime read-aloud that leaves kids asking for "just one more chapter” and parents wanting to find out what happens next.

The National Park Mystery Series

Before Jake’s grandfather died, he was on the trail of a centuries-old mystery. He has entrusted that mystery to Jake, leaving behind a set of hidden codes, riddles, maps, and other clues that lead Jake and his friends on a scavenger hunt while camping in the most rugged wilderness of the national parks.

The mystery unfolds as Jake, Amber, and Wes learn about survival skills, natural history, integrity, character, and friendship.

Along the way, they discover they are not the only ones on this quest. An elusive shadow group is close on their heels.

Illustrated by the author, these page-turning adventures are designed to capture the imagination of even the most reluctant of young readers. Parents looking for a delightful read-aloud adventure will find it hard to put down.

If your family loves the enchanted lands of our national parks, this series will take you to hidden places and breathtaking landscapes. If you enjoy movies like National Treasure and Uncharted or reading mystery adventures like the Hardy Boys and Gary Paulsen’s survival story, Hatchet, you’ll love this fourth installment of the National Park Mystery Series.

Start this epic adventure on your Kindle app, or begin the journey with a paperback copy.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Adventure

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

Aaron Johnson is the author of middle-grade mystery-adventure novels and non-fiction books in the field of online education.

Middle-Grade Fiction
Aaron Johnson is the author and illustrator of the middle-grade mystery-adventure books in the National Park Mystery Series. As a backcountry guide, he has lived numerous months out of his backpack exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and the wilderness areas of Colorado. He is a former high school and middle school teacher and the founder of the online hiking guide, Dayhikes Near Denver. With over one-million visitors per year, it has become the most popular hiking resource for the Denver Metro Area and Front Range of Colorado. Aaron lives with his wife and two daughters in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Explore more at https://nationalparkmysteryseries.com


Online Teaching and Learning

Aaron Johnson is Associate Dean of Educational Technology at Denver Seminary, a graduate school in Littleton, Colorado. As a veteran online educator, Mr. Johnson's goal is to support teachers transitioning to the online classroom and those who want to improve their teaching skills.

His books have become go-to resources for colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts. Their to-the-point style and practical ideas make them easy to read and immediately applicable. Readers describe the series as "useful," "helpful," "applicable," "reassuring," and "accessible."

His background includes work as a teacher, instructional designer, and faculty developer. During the initial days of COVID, Mr. Johnson was a sought-after aid to institutions that needed help transitioning their faculty to online delivery.

You can learn more at https://excellentonlineteaching.com

Reviews

[Lindsey Gandhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I are really enjoying this series.

[Lexi Norvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four was fantastic! The kids had some struggles throughout this book, but they overcame them as a team.
I’m loving the life lessons in this series. We see a lot in this book in particular, such as; the kids helping Cody on the trail even though he was rude to them, giving Agent Colter the gem at the end (honesty, and doing the right thing), telling their parents the truth in multiple situations. For a younger target audience, these books are great for teaching young minds about doing the right thing and staying honest.
I have also enjoyed the history in these books and that the author explains some historical events, people, etc. in the author’s notes. I can’t wait for book five to come out!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids are enjoying this series!

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Thoughtful

I am amazed with how well this series has tackled some really hard subjects. Especially now this book taking on bullying. Everything about this story is really well done and I anxiously await the rest of the books in the series!

[Jessica Sazama · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I are loving this series! It has honestly become the highlight of our night. We are both learning a lot about the National Parks! We have also added a few to our bucket list.

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is captivating as well as educational. Adults as well as youth enjoy the adventures and mysteries encountered by 3 young teens.

[Sandra A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a series (National Park Mystery series) and is book #4. If you haven't read the previous books, I highly recommend starting at the beginning, since this is a continuing scavenger/treasure hunt and there are clues that are discovered in previous books. The series revolves around 3 friends, Jake, Amber, and Wes, as they and their parents travel from national park to national park on their vacation. Jake's deceased grandfather left Jake clues leading to other clues located in various national parks. At first this seems like a fun scavenger hunt, but then things take a darker turn as the friends learn that a mysterious organization is also after the hidden clues/items.

I'm an older adult, and I've read all of the previous books and have enjoyed every one of them. After reading each story, I find myself inspired to visit the national park highlighted so I can experience the places described in the book. This story involves Zion National Park, a place I haven't visited, and it really makes me want to go there. We're actually making plans for a trip next year, and after reading this book, I'm hoping to add Zion to our itinerary!

One of the things I liked best about this book is the sheer excitement and adventure that takes place in the story. The author is really descriptive about the things that Jake and his friends see and experience. In some cases, it felt like I was there, and I was the one hiking the trails. I actually felt my heart race and I was sweating over some of the things the kids experienced, to the point where I wondered if I would have the guts to climb some of the trails. I don't want to give any of the plot away, but let's just say that the story is very realistic!

There are also some chapters that involve the kids experiencing bullying and discrimination, but these are handled in a very sensitive manner and discussed ways for the kids to manage their emotions and learn to de-escalate things in such situations. I really liked how the author was willing to include such topics.

I was so fascinated with the story that I read this book from beginning to end in one sitting, and now I can't wait for the next one! There's a lot of good information in each of these books, so along with reading a really exciting story, you also learn a lot about the national parks. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you have children that love mystery and adventure books.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four of the National Park Mystery Series finds the young people looking for more clues in Zion National Park. It seems that there are several mysteries they are following simultaneously. It seems the "Twin Owls" have disappeared after being confronted. But Wes feels that they are still being watched, he just hasn't figured out how. '
Zion is different in that you must have permits to go on many of the hikes. One reason is that there is always a chance of flash floods, not by any rain in the area; but by rain far away. Because this National Park has fewer hiking trails and so many have to have permits, their parents had to go on these hikes with them. Luckily they were able to, although they did give out faster than the kids did. The kids would start out ahead of them and wait at specified points for the parents to catch up. This enabled the kids to go out on their own and yet be within the limits of the permits themselves.
Jake gets a surprise message from his grandfather on a cassette. This really gets to him because he is hearing his grandfather's voice again. That moment in the book makes me wish I had voice messages from my grandparents and parents. I would love to hear their voices again. It is moments like this throughout his books that brings the book to a personal level for the reader.

[Prince William Public Libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all the treasure hunting at the Grand Canyon, the kids find themselves on their way to their next adventure in Zion National Park. The clues are a little harder to decipher in this leg of the journey, and the rival group steps up their game, trying to beat the kids to the prize! We got to hear quite a bit more about the history of Jake’s family in this edition. 

There is a lot more about his great, great, great, etc. grandpa and his interactions with the native peoples. It was interesting to see the original clues found before they were passed down to Jake and his grandpa. 

Spying drones, annoying neighbors, and a missing tape player make this addition interesting. I liked the more prominent part that the historical sections played in the narrative. I loved finding out how this whole search started and how it impacted the past and the future. I had never heard of Zion National Park before this book, but now I am intrigued. This book is a great way to introduce people to all the national parks.

- Review by Rebecca, Nokesville Library Staff

Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.

[Amanda Wandres · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST middle grade book and series!! The story is fresh and intriguing, and keeps getting better with every book! You will love this book a million times more if you read the first 3! (Just saying that makes me want to dive into the first 3 again)! :)

This book (and its entire series) has everything my 9-year-old son and I want!! The suspenseful, yet fun, mystery vacillates between the 1880’s and now, incorporating history, geography, geology, and the author’s descriptions transport you to the breathtaking majesty of our National Parks!

In addition, the characters are GOOD PEOPLE with admirable traits, that sometimes make mistakes and learn how to right them—kids and parents, alike. (Yes!! There are PARENTS! Loving, kind, diverse, wonderful PARENTS—an element that is almost extinct in children’s/young adult lit)!

This book offers all of the mystery and suspense without crossing the line of “too scary.” It’s truly perfect for age 7 and up (I’m 49 and it’s my favorite series, too). Enjoy!

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is great fun! Reminiscent of the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boy mysteries that I read when I was a kid, this series is full of mystery, adventure and fun!

Jake, his cousin Wes and friend Amber are engaged in a scavenger hunt started by Jake's grandfather. Following clues, using maps, and hiking through Zion National Park, they soon find themselves in several precarious situations as they search for the next clue. The story moves between Jake's adventure and his ancestor, Abe's. Most of the clues and treasures were hidden during Abe's time and his story contains a lot of history of the area.

But, it's also much more than just a mystery/adventure. The reader will also learn a bit of history, a lot about hiking and National Parks, as well as some important life lessons. The kids are exposed to greed, bullying and how to be helpful to others along the way.

I am well beyond the target age for this book, but I enjoyed it a lot. It's a great book for young readers and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Breanna G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book a four star review because, it was an awesome book; but I think that there could have been a few things to give it that five. I think adding some more characters and more adventures, would have really made it that 5 star rating. My favorite part of this book was at the very beginning when all three kids where starting to find their new clues. "The scrapbook pages smelled musty, like his grandparents' attic." (I don't remember the page, but I know it was in the very first chapter.) I really like this quote because it really shows how old the scrapbook is and how Jake learns to honor the scrapbook. All together, I really liked this book because it had a really good messages and I think that it showed really good character development. I do wish it has some new characters, besides Cody and his friend, just to have some more diversion. I also still wish that is had some other adventures, not saying that it didn't have enough, I just wish it had more. One thing I really did like though, was the author using real historic places and people because I feel that is makes the book more interesting! I still absolutely loved this book and it was my favorite out of all of them. I can't wait for the other ones to come out!

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger in Zion National Park is the 4th in this series of mysteries taking place in National Parks. I love this series! I love the writing, I love the characters, I love the mysteries.

If you like National Parks, this series is wonderful. If you’ve been to the park in the book, you’ll recognize the locations the kids visit. If you haven’t been to this park yet, you will feel like you are there.

The writing is great for kids, but as an adult I enjoyed every bit of it. This is the type of story I loved reading in grade school, and I still love now.

Don’t start with this book though, this series needs to be read in order from the beginning.

Now, I try to patiently wait for the next book in the series.

[Tamara Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot stop turning the pages.

My daughter, age 11, reads aloud with her grandmother. They both love the stories so much. The author really paints a picture with words. We have gotten to know the characters through our the series. My daughter makes comments, of course he would say that. The author really brings the characters to life. It's also interesting with the story going back to 1880, and connected to a mystery that the 3 kids are trying to solve.

I believe, in this book, there was a social issue, with a fellow kid in the neighbor campground and on a hike. The characters handle the situation well, and even questioned how he could be handled so well and why.

Lots of real life experiences.

Perfect to share with your child.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased all five books that have been published so far directly from the author’s website. I love the National Park settings and the mysteries that include real locations and the history of the parks and area. These are wonderful wholesome (anyone who says otherwise has clearly not read the books) stories that also offer up many real life lessons and challenges that children face today. The kids are not perfect and face many personal challenges that they have to work through just like in real life. But it teaches kids how to be kind and how to help one another all while giving an entertaining and exciting story. The back story set in the 1800’s is alto intriguing and entertaining. I highly recommend this series for any age reader. I can’t wait for books 6-10!

[Tee Minn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is exciting and educational for me and hopefully for my teen grands. Book four, Danger in Zion National Park, did not fail to bring the suspense. The characters continue to be genuine kids you want to be around. They not only are wonderful detectives, but they learn from their failures which brings me joy. The back story which takes place in 1880 continues to intrigue me and adds to the plot. I was taken aback when I turned and the cliff hanger was dropped.

The only frustrating thing to me is that I thought the series would be solved in book five, but I now realize there are 10 books to conclude of which only half are written. I feel like I may be getting into another Shannon Messenger's, author of KOLC series, game that I aptly call "marketing strategy."

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #4 of my son's favorite series (the National Park Mystery Series) is finally here! We are devouring them as we can't put them down!

When parents ask about clean books for 8+ year olds, I'm always quick to share this series! Not only are they clean, but they encourage good character qualities. When the main character recognizes his missteps, he's quick to correct and take responsibility for them. All around good series if you're looking for one.

Four books are out now, but there will be 10 total. Each one holds their own mystery while also building on one together!

Highly recommend.

[Steve Matthey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a Davinci Code for kids

Great continuation of storyline. Lots of excitement, secret codes, trying to outsmart the bad guys and get away from them. I liked to dual plot lines in two different time periods, which gave some historical background. Also exploring emotional responses of middle school aged kids. Made me want to visit even more of our national parks, which are true treasures.

[Christopher Scoles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in the series, my (2nd grade) daughter loves reading these and is captivated by the adventures of Jake, Wes, and Amber. The books continue to be educational as well as entertaining and hold both of our attention throughout. We're always excited when we get the next one and can sit down to read together.

[Marc G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure of fighting drones, heatwaves and flashfloods !

I read this book so fast my parents couldn't keep up. It was a really good read. I really enjoyed it. And I learned some things about survival in the wilderness that I didn't know ! I really recommend it for kids and their parents.

Hazel K.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

If you have a tween, you should definitely have them read this series of books. As a retired teacher, I have enjoyed them immensely. The author, Aaron Johnson, does his research and while the series is fictional, there are many references to places that actually exist.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our entire family loves this series. We have read every book and this one does not disappoint. We love how it weaves national park history, details about Zion, mystery, the history from 1880 all together. It kept us guessing the entire time. By the end we were all debating who was good or bad. We still can't decide who can or can't be trusted. It has us excited to read the next book!

[Shaley Knickerbocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved reading this book with my 6 & 8 year old boys. They enjoyed the adventure and mystery. I really like that the values & morals of the families in the book line up with our own. This book brings in some hints at a Christian faith too. Lots of opportunities for good conversations about character and choices too.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I had to begin the 5th in the series immediately. These books are unusual in the fast paced, high tension realism they bring to a vacation shared by 3 adolescents and their parents. Plus, Johnson shares much in the author's notes at the end of each volume. Don't skip! And go to the NPS website for photos of what you're reading about.

[Leah Hillewaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 10, 8 and 6 year old and this has been their favorite *so far* in the series! The last few chapters were so exciting we couldn’t put it down! Very well written - I thought the author wrote how kids talk in a very relatable way that kept my kids able to follow the plot and laugh at Wes’ jokes. Highly recommend!

[Anna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

spectacular series I’ve reread

The characters and storyline are so well developed, and the settings allows you to experience beautiful places in the US in an underrated way: fiction writing where your imagination must play an active role. Keep writing, Aaron Johnson! You are creating art that will last.

[Hannah Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fourth in the National Park Mystery Series. The adventure is fresh. I love the history and nature woven through out the story. This story also touched on some dangers of nature in a very poignant and educational way. My kids and I love this book and this series and have already started reading book 5.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danger in Zion National Park is a fast, fun adventure that captures the beauty and excitement of exploring the outdoors. Aaron Johnson delivers a solid mystery with likable characters and plenty of action. While some twists are easy to guess, the story’s heart and setting make it a great read for young adventurers and fans of National Parks

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading and enjoying the books in this series. Who knew I was a young adult in my 70's. Ha ha. Zion is a familiar area, and I could picture some places in my mind. The trio has to deal with unfriendly kids in the campground, and finding and interpreting clues. I like the stories so much that I'm thinking of buying the books for my grandkids.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent National Park mystery. Not only do you get to follow Jake, Wes, and Amber through Zion NP, you get to learn a few survival tips as well. Can't wait to see what adventure awaits in Yosemite