Calico Kids

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One summer became the adventure of a lifetime.

Summer, 1982. When two local teens go missing from the riverside town of Calico, Oregon, a middle school nerd steeped in wild conspiracy theories steps in to investigate.

With a posse consisting of a busboy, a delinquent, an L.A. transplant, and a cheerleader, A.J. sets out to prove that a Satanic cult is behind the disappearances, all while dodging the local sheriff, high school bullies, and a deputy drunk on authority.

But instead of a dark cult, the group encounters a legion of ghosts, mysterious government agents, alien technology, and an interdimensional crisis of literally earth-shattering proportions.

From the author of the Airship Daedalus pulp adventure book series, and adapted from his short story, comes a love letter to retro-’80s science fiction and horror, in the vein of Stranger Things and The Babysitter. Equal parts John Hughes, Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, Calico Kids is a coming-of-age story set in a rural town full of impossible adventures.

There’s a Calico Kids playlist on Spotify! 131 curated songs from 1977-1982, each by a different artist. Mostly post-punk/new wave/early goth, with some metal and album rock of the day. Enjoy this modern version of a mix-tape, either as a soundtrack for the book, or for its own sake!

And now there’s a playlist for Return of the Calico Kids!


“I loved the relationships between the friends, and how the female characters had agency and were important members of the crew, not just focus for teen boy hormonal angst. Nostalgia dripped off every page, but not in a heavy-handed way. I loved the coming of age aspect of the story, and the really unique slice of small-town that the author crafted. I kinda wish I’d grown up in Calico.”

– Trish Heinrich
Author, The Monsters & Artifacts series

Calico Kids feels like one of those memories that you’ve never told your parents, but you still look back on and remember how it felt to be the hero of your own story without the pressures of adulthood bearing down on you.” [5 stars]

– Colin Fisk
Co-author, Cyberpunk – The Roleplaying Game of the Dark Future

“A helluva good read. This a deeply knowing and deeply felt dive into the adventures, films and music kids of the 1980s had. Back when you only had to be home by dark (or dinner time) and you were trusted with being able to take care of yourself. This is when the friendships and adventures you had in middle school ran deepest in your soul. CALICO KIDS will remind you of those days if you lived through them and make you pine for them if you’re too young to know what a VHS tape and only 4 channels of TV was like.” [5 stars]

– Mack Lewis
Screenwriter, The Dark Trail, G-String Hellcats, Shot in the Foot

Calico Kids has everything thirteen-year-old me could have possibly wanted. If my actual adolescence had been anywhere near this cool, I would not have survived it.”

– Mark Parragh
Author, The John Crane action-adventure series

Calico Kids is a wholesome, nostalgic adventure that combines some of the best parts of stories like E.T. and Stranger Things: relatable characters who tackle fantastic situations with humor and bravery, and a series of experiences that bonds a group of friends for life. Highly recommended!” [5 stars]

– Ralph Fontaine
Director, Producer, The Edge of Tomorrow, Causality

Had a lot of fun reading this. I enjoyed the nostalgic trip into the 80’s, as well as the mystery solving epic-ness (it’s the best word I could come up with) that ensues. Others have compared it to Stranger Things, perhaps because that is the most recent 80’s era paranormal show to grab hold of, but it isn’t like that at all. I was reminded of movie The Last Starfighter, because it does have a sci-fi element. It’s not true horror, more spooky action adventure. Well worth the read, and would be a great movie to watch with a tub of popcorn. [5 stars]

– Ginger Howard
Author, The Douglas Town Chronicles supernatural adventure series

Calico Kids is a sweet, nostalgic, sci-fi coming-of-age story told with innocent, straightforward prose. The author Todd Downing has captured the detail and nuance in a way that recalls and transports us back to the early eighties. A diverse gang of kids: the nerds, the bullies, the jocks, and those in-between, the first awareness of each of boys and girls in their early teens, saddle up on their bikes and venture out on their own to solve a small-town summer mystery that weaves childhood fantasies with local history, science-fiction, and the supernatural. Calico Kids is an exciting, sweet read for kids and a throwback for adults to the days and wonder of E.T. and the camaraderie of the basement arcade. An easy, fun read!” [5 stars]

William Kely McClung
Author, Loop, Black Fire

“Wrapped in well-researched ’80s nostalgia, this mystery and fast-paced sci-fi adventure book will capture your imagination till the very end. I’m an ’80s child/teen and had me very nostalgic, but folks of any age will enjoy this well-written and fun book. A nice bit of respite and escape from everything else going on.” [5 stars]

– Patrick Goddard
Musician, Go Pound Salt, Cara de Nada

“Todd Downing uses his knowledge and personal experience from the time period as a well crafted tool. His vocal performance for his own audiobook is as good as the story itself. The ability for him to deploy his first generation dude accent, combined with his spot on for the time period, descriptive vivid language, really makes the adventure come alive.” [5 stars]

– Christopher J. Dominic
Co-host, The Recombobulator Lab

“Pure ’80s nostalgic fun! Was hard to put it down! I found myself laughing out loud regularly. If you’re Gen X, you’ll love the nostalgia. And even if you aren’t, it’s a fun action adventure story, and that’s something everyone can appreciate, no matter the generation! Well done… can’t wait to read the sequel!” [5 stars]

– Mark Burns
Author, Redemption’s Wake