FEBRUARY 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks brings vibrancy to her narration of this outstanding fantasy audiobook. Amari is worried. Her older brother, Quinton, is missing, and it feels like her world is falling apart. Then she receives a mysterious package and discovers that Quinton is an MIA special agent in a supernatural world. Parks’s youthful voice is best at bringing the curious and defensive Amari to life. Listeners will cheer her on as she competes for a spot as a junior agent and hunts down clues to find her brother. Some of the international characters fall flat, but, overall, listeners will be swept away to a world of incredible supernatural beings and fearsome magicians. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 11/30/2020
Following the mysterious disappearance of her beloved big brother, Quinton, 13-year-old Amari Peters is offered a spot in a summer camp run by the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, a secret agency that forms the “link between the known world and what is hidden.” Learning that Quinton was one of the Bureau’s top agents, Amari vows to follow in his footsteps in order to discover his fate. But Amari’s initiation reveals that she’s a natural-born magician, which the Bureau considers rare and dangerous. Given this status, Amari must dispel the prejudices against magicians while passing a series of extremely competitive trials to join the exclusive Department of Supernatural Investigations. But with a terrifying foe lurking in the shadows, Amari’s career may be cut short. In this thrilling debut, Alston thrusts his intrepid heroine into a setting packed with magic, mythical creatures, and danger. Amari, a Black girl with limited means, confronts privilege and prejudice even while delving into a world of wonder, humor, and adventure, making this a sure-to-please winner. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gemma Cooper, the Bent Agency. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
This series debut is sure to be a hit with late elementary students and middle graders who are fans of “Harry Potter,” “Percy Jackson,” and the Men in Black movies….An excellent middle grade fantasy that will attract an immediate fan base and leave kids eager for more.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“The author weaves magical whimsy with honest, realistically portrayed circumstances, allowing Amari’s literal #BlackGirlMagic to shine even when she doesn’t believe in herself. This timely, energetic, first-person narrative moves quickly with clear descriptions, a thrilling buildup, and strong messages about profiling. An impressive debut series opener.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“In this thrilling debut, Alston thrusts his intrepid heroine into a setting packed with magic, mythical creatures, and danger. Amari, a Black girl with limited means, confronts privilege and prejudice even while delving into a world of wonder, humor, and adventure, making this a sure-to-please winner.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Fast-paced adventure and cutthroat pre-adolescent contempt make for a delightfully challenging journey here, particularly considering the ways that Alston frames Amari’s racial and economic experiences as a Black girl as the root of her strong-willed nature and spirit of integrity. It’s a good thing this book is the first of a series, because readers will be sorely disappointed when it ends.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)
“A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“The story introduces a world of enchantment, danger, excitement, and humor. While many parallels can be drawn between the protagonist and a certain boy wizard, readers will root for Amari’s own unique determination and wit.” — Horn Book Magazine
“An enchanting fantasy adventure filled with heart and soul. Amari is magical!” — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE HATE U GIVE
“As a former black girl misfit who wanted nothing more in the world than to be magical, this book is a song to my soul. Amari is the heroine we all need.” — Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DEAR MARTIN
“Sharp, funny and brightly imaginative — a big adventure filled with magic and heart.” — Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of the Nevermoor series
"Clever, imaginative, and filled with heart. I loved every magical page." — J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of THE STORM RUNNER
“Amari and the Night Brothers gives an electrifying jolt to middle-grade fantasy, that takes the ingredients we know and love—strong-willed, relatable protagonist, a worthy quest, and a thrilling magical portal—and makes them fresh and new. From the first pages, Amari is at once self-possessed and an underdog, battling racism, bias and poverty, all later mirrored in her efforts to find her brother inside the fantastical labyrinth of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Funny, fast-paced, and ultimately moving, B.B. Alston's debut is a rousing success and kicks off a series that will truly stand out from the rest!” — Soman Chainani, author of the bestselling The School for Good and Evil series
"The surprises and story never slow down for a minute in this magical, astonishing world, with a heroine who’s like Buffy meets Meg Murry multiplied by Shuri to the power of awesome. I want to live in Amari’s world and watch her save it (or have her come here and save ours!)!" — Tui Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series
ALA Booklist (starred review)
Fast-paced adventure and cutthroat pre-adolescent contempt make for a delightfully challenging journey here, particularly considering the ways that Alston frames Amari’s racial and economic experiences as a Black girl as the root of her strong-willed nature and spirit of integrity. It’s a good thing this book is the first of a series, because readers will be sorely disappointed when it ends.
Angie Thomas
An enchanting fantasy adventure filled with heart and soul. Amari is magical!”
Horn Book Magazine
The story introduces a world of enchantment, danger, excitement, and humor. While many parallels can be drawn between the protagonist and a certain boy wizard, readers will root for Amari’s own unique determination and wit.
Nic Stone
As a former black girl misfit who wanted nothing more in the world than to be magical, this book is a song to my soul. Amari is the heroine we all need.
Jessica Townsend
Sharp, funny and brightly imaginative — a big adventure filled with magic and heart.
J.C. Cervantes
"Clever, imaginative, and filled with heart. I loved every magical page."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
Soman Chainani
Amari and the Night Brothers gives an electrifying jolt to middle-grade fantasy, that takes the ingredients we know and love—strong-willed, relatable protagonist, a worthy quest, and a thrilling magical portal—and makes them fresh and new. From the first pages, Amari is at once self-possessed and an underdog, battling racism, bias and poverty, all later mirrored in her efforts to find her brother inside the fantastical labyrinth of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Funny, fast-paced, and ultimately moving, B.B. Alston's debut is a rousing success and kicks off a series that will truly stand out from the rest!
Tui Sutherland
"The surprises and story never slow down for a minute in this magical, astonishing world, with a heroine who’s like Buffy meets Meg Murry multiplied by Shuri to the power of awesome. I want to live in Amari’s world and watch her save it (or have her come here and save ours!)!"
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A breath of fresh air in the normal-kid-finds-out-they’re-magic genre, with Amari’s snappy, no-nonsense narration, a mix of new, bizarre supernatural creatures and classic vampires and witches, and rich world building that reads as both familiar and fantastic…. Readers will no doubt cross their fingers for more of Amari’s adventures.
School Library Journal
★ 11/01/2020
Gr 3–7—Amari Peters is a young Black girl who believes her brother Quinton is alive, even if no one else does. Everything is going wrong and she just got expelled from school, but something exciting is about to happen. Amari, as recommended by her brother, joins a summer camp at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. She starts to learn a special skill all her own, and discovers magical creatures exist (fairies, aliens, and magicians, to name a few) that the Bureau must protect from average people. Readers follow Amari as she navigates a new magical world, hones her skills, and searches for her brother who was attempting to track down the Night Brothers—a mysterious band of magical criminals. This series debut is sure to be a hit with late elementary students and middle graders who are fans of "Harry Potter," "Percy Jackson," and the Men in Black movies. There are a lot of diverse characters who will be relatable to all kids. Amari is tough, smart, kind, and very likeable. The plot doesn't shy away from depictions of racism and discrimination, which may provide necessary, thoughtful discussion topics for classrooms and families. VERDICT This story is action-packed with no fluff; a magical world readers will want to visit, blended with contemporary themes. An excellent middle grade fantasy that will attract an immediate fan base and leave kids eager for more.—Maeve Dodds, Charlotte Mecklenburg Lib., NC
FEBRUARY 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Imani Parks brings vibrancy to her narration of this outstanding fantasy audiobook. Amari is worried. Her older brother, Quinton, is missing, and it feels like her world is falling apart. Then she receives a mysterious package and discovers that Quinton is an MIA special agent in a supernatural world. Parks’s youthful voice is best at bringing the curious and defensive Amari to life. Listeners will cheer her on as she competes for a spot as a junior agent and hunts down clues to find her brother. Some of the international characters fall flat, but, overall, listeners will be swept away to a world of incredible supernatural beings and fearsome magicians. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-09-15
A 13-year-old girl learns she’s an all-powerful magician and faces trials as she seeks her missing brother.
Amari Peters is tired—tired of being belittled and dismissed at her rich private school, where she is bullied for being poor and Black. On the last day of school—fueled by emotions connected to her brother Quinton’s disappearance—Amari loses her cool, costing her the scholarship she needs. Next, a mysterious man shows up with news that Quinton has sent her a Broaden Your Horizons kit. Inside she finds items that open her eyes to a secret supernatural world, one that must remain hidden because people’s fear of things they don’t understand too often turns into hatred. Amari is invited to a magical training camp hosted by the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, which her mom believes is the same leadership program Quinton attended that helped him gain full-ride scholarships to Ivy League colleges. There, she discovers that she’s a magician, with powers that are illegal. Amari’s single-minded intent on finding Quinton leads her on the path to becoming a Junior Agent. With the help of those she meets along the way, Amari makes shocking discoveries and finds the power to overcome. The author weaves magical whimsy with honest, realistically portrayed circumstances, allowing Amari’s literal #BlackGirlMagic to shine even when she doesn’t believe in herself. This timely, energetic, first-person narrative moves quickly with clear descriptions, a thrilling buildup, and strong messages about profiling.
An impressive debut series opener. (Fantasy. 9-12)
