The Candy Shop War, Vol. 2: Arcade Catastrophe (45 page)

I used to live in the San Francisco area. Many of the locations in this book are real, including Yerba Buena Island, Angel Island, and Mt. Diablo. From fourth to seventh grade, I lived in Clayton, California, not far from Walnut Creek. In the Candy Shop War books, Colson is a modified version of Clayton, and Walnut Hills is a fictionalized mix of Walnut Creek and Concord. Many details are not accurate, but some features are probably recognizable. The destroyer where the Hermit lived was inspired by the reserve fleet of mothballed ships in Suisun Bay, although the USS
Striker
was not deliberately based on an actual vessel.

Arcadeland is not based on any single arcade. I visited several different arcades in Utah and Arizona to do research (I know, my life is hard) and incorporated elements from many of the places I visited along with some details that came entirely from my imagination.

Acknowledgments

I wrote this book because people asked for it. To be more specific, lots of kids (and adults) who had read
Candy Shop War
kept expressing interest in a sequel. When I wrote
Candy Shop War,
I expected it to be a single novel. But as people kept requesting more, my wheels started turning, and I found an idea that I liked. I’m glad readers asked, because I feel good about how the book turned out, and I’m excited to share it with them.

I had a good time dreaming up another adventure for Nate, Trevor, Summer, and Pigeon, along with their new pal Lindy and some of their grown-up friends. I expect I’ll deliver another adventure before too much time goes by.

There are some people I should thank. Chris Schoebinger and Emily Watts played the heaviest roles in editing this one. They were fun to work with, as always, and did a great job tightening the story, plugging holes, and generally helping me make it better. I also got help from Cherie Mull, Bryson Mull, Pamela Mull, Sadie Mull, Tucker Davis, and Kim Richards. Thanks also to the rest of the team at Shadow Mountain, especially Richard Erickson and Sheryl Dickert Smith, who created the book’s design, and Tonya Facemyer, who handled the typography.

Once again, Brandon Dorman created the cover and all other illustrations. This is my ninth book that he has illustrated. He’s so talented.

I’d like to give a special nod to my cousin Mike Walton. As kids, we used to play that he tasted what I ate and I tasted what he ate, which helped me come up with the magical side of the Battiato brothers.

I also have to thank my wife, Mary. She not only helps edit all of my books, she also keeps me on task when deadlines get tight. Deadlines were super tight on this project, but Mary helped me make time to get it done. I should thank my kids as well, for being patient with their busy, daydreamy dad. I love you guys!

Finally, thanks to you, my reader. Just as a heads-up: I will be starting a couple of new series before long. I have not yet written some of my favorite ideas. If you ever want to see the latest books I have coming, go to brandonmull.com, “like” my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter: @brandonmull.

Reading Guide

1. At the start of the story, Mr. Stott had hidden the fact that John was in trouble, and he hadn’t told the kids about the trouble brewing in Walnut Hills. Why do you think he withheld that information? Do you think it was a good choice? Explain.

2. Nate, Trevor, Summer, and Pigeon chose to get involved with Arcadeland even though they knew it might be dangerous. Would you take a risk like that to help a friend? Why or why not?

3. As the story went on, the kids did some things they might not have normally done in order to remain undercover working for Jonas White. Why do you think they did those things? What alternatives did they have?

4. Jonas White claimed not to mind that Nate had helped take down his sister. Were you convinced? Why do you think Jonas was willing to let Nate and his friends work for him even though he didn’t really trust them? How did this hurt him in the end?

5. Belinda White had been an enemy to Nate, Trevor, Summer, and Pigeon, but after her identity was wiped and she became a kid, they turned into friends. Do you think you could become friends with a former enemy under those circumstances? Why or why not?

6. Mr. Stott and the Blue Falcons kept Lindy’s true identity from her. Do you think they were right to withhold that information from her? What would you have done if you were making that choice?

7. Diego and Pigeon wondered whether Belinda had originally become evil due to her nature or because of her upbringing. What do you think?

8. When talking about Lindy, Mozag said, “We are who we choose to become.” Does that statement seem true to you? Why or why not?

9. If you could have any stamp from this book, which would you choose? Why? If you could blend any two stamps, which would you choose? Why? If you could blend any two candies or stamps from this series, which would you choose? Why?

10. Uweya was an amazingly powerful simulacrum. How could it be used to do good? How could it be used to cause harm? If you had access to Uweya, would you use it or destroy it? Why?

11. If you could create magical stamps, what new stamps would you invent, and what powers would they have?

12. Which of Jonas White’s helpers would you least want as an enemy? Why?

13. Who would you rather have on your side—John Dart, Mozag, Mr. Stott, or the Battiatos? Explain why. Who would you most want as a friend—Nate, Trevor, Summer, Pigeon, Chris, Risa, Roman, or Lindy? Explain.

14. Do you have a favorite arcade that you visit? What is your favorite game to play in an arcade? What is your favorite video game to play at home? Describe a video game or arcade game that you wish existed.

The Candy Shop War card game