(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Maya is seeing things, or so she thinks, as weird creatures start appearing in her Chicago neighborhood. Add to that her dreams about a scary shadow-man, and Maya has cause for concern. That concern turns to outright fear when her father, who guards the veil between dimensions, is kidnapped by the Lord of the Shadows, the scary man in her dreams. Maya and her friends, Frankie and Eli, set off on a quest to find Maya's missing dad, face their fears, and contend with powers and worlds they never knew existed. This story features well-executed world-building; complex characters in a diverse cast (Frankie has two mothers, the school principal uses inclusive pronouns); loving, supportive families; and a tight-knit community within a large city. Maya's adventure is steeped in West African mythology, as she learns that she is part orisha and must quickly learn the ropes of the mystical world. Readers, too, are introduced to the world of West African culture, folklore, and spirituality, with nuance about the binaries of good and evil. A welcome addition to middle-grade fantasy centering Black characters, the story is a page-turning ride that will leave readers eager for more.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) YA Narrator Arrah was born into a family of powerful witchdoctors, though magic has always evaded her. But when children are abducted and omens of death appear in the market streets, Arrah trades years of her life in order to possess magic that will liberate the kingdom from the threat. Barron includes high-stakes reveals, breathtaking world-building, complicated female characters, and an ill-fated romance in an intricate fantasy novel based in African traditions.

Reviewer: S. R. Toliver | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019