Did you know that llamas hum? Llamas are fascinating animals. Contrary to popular opinion, they don’t spit at humans unless they have been abused. They can see almost 360 degrees, they are loyal guard animals and they have padded feet instead of hooves. Intriguingly, they also hum to communicate with other llamas, soothe their babies, warn off intruders and express concern or pleasure. William David Thomas’ newest book follows the emotional and physical journey 11-year-old Allen makes with his long-lost friend, Yana, who happens to be a llama.

The author grew up and still lives in Rochester. Thomas has written more than 30 nonfiction books on widely different topics including Afghanistan and Myanmar.

“Hum,” Thomas’ first novel, is perfect for middle school to junior high school students and runs just over 200 pages. The book jacket is a map of Allen and Yana’s late-night 12-mile hike through the Adirondack mountains and doubles as a small colorful poster. The scan code for interactive content includes hiking tips, a detailed map of their hike beginning at Heart Lake Adirondak Loj and ending at Easter River Parking Area along with trails photos of the Marcy Dam, Avalanche Pass and Calamity Brook. There is also a reader’s group guide and more information about llamas.

Allen Davis is in fifth grade, loves baseball and is good at it, and has just moved from Syracuse to a small northern New York village. Newcomb (a real village) is his mother’s childhood hometown. Allen’s parents died when he was 3 years old, and he has lived with his grandmother ever since. He knows his parents were veterinarians and he believes they traveled to the Caribbean for work then became ill and died during a hurricane. The older residents of Newcomb know the real story, and eventually, Allen learns it too.

Allen makes friends at his new school and begins to feel part of the community. His mentor, Max, a high school senior, is a 46er. Through her, he learns that both his mother and grandfather were part of the club of climbers who have conquered all 46 Adirondack High Peaks and that he was named after his mother’s last peak, Allen Mountain. As Allen gets to know his new village and surrounding areas, those of us who live here get to revisit the Saranac Lake carousel, the Adirondack Interpretive Center and the Ice Palace.

Terrifying nightmares often wake Allen in the middle of the night, and he subconsciously hums when stressed or worried, but he doesn’t know why either of these things occur. Once he meets Yana, an old llama, at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, memories begin to resurface, and he finds out his grandmother has withheld information about the death of his parents. Allen begins to understand Yana’s humming and realizes he can talk to her too.

There is a chase scene, a murder mystery and suspense, all of which is covered in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and on the local television news.

Without giving too much of the story away, I will end with a recommendation to read this book. I read “Hum” in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. To schedule school visits, check out his website: www.williamdavidthomas.com.