
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is grappling with a major life transition, such as a move to a new city or the illness of a beloved grandparent. It is especially suited for children who feel caught between two worlds or are struggling to find their voice in a new environment. The story follows Jade, an eighth grader who moves from Chicago to Atlanta, leaving behind her community and her ailing Abuela. Through magical encounters with a shapeshifting storyteller in the woods, Jade explores her Mexican heritage and finds the internal strength to face real-world tragedies, including the 9/11 attacks and her family's grief. It is a lyrical, sophisticated choice for ages 10 to 12 that validates the complexity of growing up while offering a hopeful, magical lens on cultural identity.
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Sign in to write a reviewMagical transformations and a sense of ancient, sometimes overwhelming power.
The book deals with the terminal illness of a grandparent and the historical trauma of the September 11th attacks. These are handled with a blend of direct emotional honesty and metaphorical storytelling. The resolution is realistic regarding grief but hopeful regarding Jade's personal growth and spiritual connection to her ancestors.
An introspective 11-year-old girl who enjoys fantasy but is currently navigating real-life 'big' changes like a family move or a sick relative.
Parents should be aware that the 9/11 attacks are a significant backdrop in the latter half of the book, which may require historical context for today's readers. The depiction of the grandmother's illness is poignant and may be intense for sensitive readers. A child expressing that they hate their new home, or a child asking deep questions about what happens to our heritage when a grandparent passes away.
Younger readers (age 8-9) will focus on the magical jaguar and the fantasy elements. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuances of the 9/11 setting and the metaphors within the folklore, and may relate more deeply to Jade's experience navigating a new culture.
Unlike many 'moving' stories, this book weaves together specific historical trauma and a magical coming-of-age arc rooted in indigenous mythology, creating a story that feels both grounded and ethereal. """
Jade moves from Chicago to Atlanta, feeling isolated and homesick for her Abuela. While exploring the woods behind her new home, she meets Itztli, an elderly man who appears as a jaguar but speaks to her as a mentor. He shares Mexican myths and ancestral wisdom. As Jade navigates eighth grade, her grandmother's declining health, and the national trauma of 9/11, she discovers she possesses an ancient, supernatural power linked to her heritage.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.