Mack’s family camping trip trades city lights for Sedona’s red rocks and a sky filled with possibilities, but the adventure takes an unexpected turn when his furry companion races into the darkness. What begins as a nighttime search becomes a child-sized first-contact story, pairing curiosity about what lies beyond Earth with the simple realization that friendship does not require two people—or two beings—to come from the same place.
You Are Not From Around Here, Are You?
by Clarissa Willis
Genre: Children's Book
Date Published: June 13, 2026
Publisher: Solander Press
Ever gazed at the twinkling night sky and wondered, what might be up there? Mack jets off from Texas to the stunning red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, ready for a camping adventure with his family. But when his furry sidekick bolts into the night, Mack sprints after him and stumbles upon a surprise guest.
This new buddy isn’t your run-of-the-mill earthling! Mack soon discovers the stellar delight of making a truly out-of-this-world friend.
In this galactic adventure, award-winning author Clarissa Willis introduces two characters who learn that no matter who you are, or where you are from, friendship is all about having a blast together.
The story begins with two familiar sources of childhood excitement—a family camping trip and a pet that suddenly needs chasing—before opening the door to a much bigger question about who might be waiting beyond the world we know.
Sedona’s distinctive landscape gives Mack’s encounter a setting grounded in a real place, while his unexpected new friend allows the book to explore difference without making unfamiliarity feel frightening. At its center is an approachable idea for young readers: friendship can begin with curiosity, shared fun, and a willingness to welcome someone whose home looks nothing like your own.
Young readers drawn to camping trips, runaway pets, starry skies, and friendly visitors from beyond Earth will find recognizable interests woven throughout Mack’s adventure. The story may also appeal to families and educators seeking a playful starting point for conversations about welcoming newcomers, approaching differences with curiosity, and finding common ground through shared experiences.
Clarissa Willis is the author of 8 picture books and a captivating chapter book! Carrie Ingalls The Forgotten Sister won the Western Writers of America SPUR Award for best juvenile nonfiction and a Will Rogers Medallion Finalist (2026). Her tale, Bloomers on Pike’s Peak (2024), is the biography of the unstoppable Julia Archibald Holmes, the first woman to climb Pikes Peak. It won a Will Rogers Medallion and was the finalist for the Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award. Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony Express Rider (2022) galloped away with a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. Then, there's The Three Little Pigs and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, putting a fresh spin on a classic yarn.
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By placing an extraordinary visitor inside the familiar excitement of a family camping trip, You Are Not From Around Here, Are You? gives young readers an inviting way to think about the unknown. Mack’s nighttime pursuit, the wide-open Sedona setting, and an out-of-this-world friendship all support a message that remains firmly within a child’s experience: where someone comes from matters less than the joy and understanding two new friends can share.
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