If you read the opening chapters of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s upcoming adventure, you’ve already met Dante. He’s our hero Paola’s best friend, who helps her take a break from her intense studies, even if he resorts to extreme measures to do so. Seriously Dante, careful with the gummy worms. Ouch…

That said, we’ll forgive him for such playfulness, especially considering how steadfast he’s been toward Paola. They’ve been close friends since he and his abuela had little Pao and her mother over for dinners after Pao’s dad left them. Speaking of his abuela, Señora Mata’s chancla packs such a wallop, we don’t blame him for eyeing it as warily as he is here. But wait til he sees what else it can do…