WRATH OF THE RAIN GOD, by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales, Aladdin, April 16, 2024, Paperback, $6.99 (ages 7-10)
Twins get swept back in time by a magical book in Wrath of the Rain God, by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales.
Nine-year-old twins, Emma and Martín, couldn’t be more different in their personalities, interests, and even their looks. But one thing they absolutely agree on is that moving from Cuernavaca, Mexico, to Illinois is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, they’re not given a choice when their dad lands his dream job as a middle school principal in Chicago. To help the twins stay connected to their Mexican heritage, their abuela gifts them a book of Mexican legends. The book turns out to be more than a going away present…it’s a magical item that transports them directly into the legends!
In the first legend, Emma and Martín encounter Tlaloc, the god of rain. Tlaloc is angry because his lightning bolt has been stolen, and his rage is manifesting as a torrential downpour over the ancient city of Texcoco. The rain won’t stop until the lightning bolt has been returned, so Emma and Martín set out to recover it.
Will they find Tlaloc’s bolt in time to help the people of Texcoco save their home? Or will the wrath of the rain god mark the end of this legendary city? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
Wrath of the Rain God is the first book in the new Legendarios series by Karla Arenas Valenti and Vanessa Morales. The series follows twins Emma and Martin as they cope with their move to a new city. The next two books, The Beginning of All Things and The Child King of Uxmal are slated for August and December releases.
This early chapter series is perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books. What makes this time-traveling series different than say, Magic Tree House or The Legends of Lotus Island — two excellent early reader series — is that Legendarios focuses specifically on Mexican legends.
Wrath of the Rain God is sort of the origin story — it sets up all the hows and whats needed for time travel — as well as an actual time-traveling story. It’s an engaging tale that will catch kids’ attention early on and hold it all the way through.
At less than 150 pages and with illustrations sprinkled throughout, Wrath of the Rain God is immediately approachable. And the use context when utilizing Spanish words helps kids learn vocabulary without them even knowing it. This is a fun new series that should have broad appeal.
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