Sentinels: Keepers of the Forest — Kate O'Hearn

Discover a world of warring squirrel clans???and meet the chosen ones who will save them???in the start to a new action-packed illustrated middle-grade trilogy perfect for fans of WARRIORS and GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE. Rum is the runt of his litter and an outcast in the Sky Clan, but he sees and understands things the other squirrels don???t???for Rum is a sentinel. Born to each squirrel clan when a catastrophe is looming, sentinels are powerful seers that must go to the Dark Forest to meet a mysterious squirrel that can decipher their message. When Rum befriends the Lowland Clan???s runaway sentinel, Nearly, the two band together to reach the Dark Forest to meet the ancient squirrel, Arundale. But the message Arundale deciphers is dire: A fire is coming to the mountains that will destroy everything in its path. Only the sentinels can save the forest creatures. But one of their kind, the final sentinel, is missing. So Rum, Nearly, and a legion of animal protectors set off on an epic journey to find the missing sentinel, and learn her secret message before it???s too late. Fast-paced and packed with drama and dangerous battles, Sentinels is perfect for reluctant readers and fantasy lovers alike, and filled with captivating illustrations that bring the squirrel world to life.