⭐️”Mejia’s Mexican American myth succeeds both as an extended quest and a humorous contemporary story. Her real genius lies, however, in detailed yet effortless characterization. It takes mere pages before readers will know and love Pao. . . . A warm, thrilling Mexican American ­adventure. An essential purchase.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

A new hero’s fantastic and fantastical debut—her next appearance can’t come soon enough.

⭐️”With this adventure, Mejia (We Set the Dark on Fire) draws upon her Latinx heritage to conjure creatures from folklore, such as chupacabras, La Llorona, and disembodied hands, arming Paola and her allies with fantastical weapons and layering in realistic plot points: socioeconomic and immigration concerns, the tension between science and superstition. Complicated emotional development is a particular strength—Paola wrestles with issues of anger and forgiveness, mother-daughter strife, and the new ‘boy-girl weirdness’ between her and Dante en route to becoming a reluctant hero. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

⭐️”Mejia’s writing is fast-paced and engaging, as the colorful imagery places readers in Southwestern cacti fields and in the tumultuous mindset of an insecure 12-year-old. For all its exploration of Pao’s internal landscape, there is action aplenty. . . . A new hero’s fantastic and fantastical debut—her next appearance can’t come soon enough.” — Kirkus(starred review)

⭐️”Readers will love following intelligent, science-loving Pao as she suspends disbelief and discovers that the supernatural may not be so impossible. As she journeys to save friends both old and new, Pao must deal with the changes that come with middle school, including the possibility that things won’t always stay the same, and come to terms with her behavior as well as her relationship with her mom. This fast-paced journey into Latinx folklore, with its clever protagonist, is sure to keep readers turning pages into the night.” —Booklist (starred review)