Publishers Weekly
12/06/2021
A move from Texas to suburban Oregon strains the close-knit relationship between Mexican American narrator James McNichols, 12, and sister Ava, 10. The transition is made even harder by the recent death of the siblings’ beloved abuelita, and the hard edge that’s crept into their ongoing prank war. Though the family is welcomed by new neighbors and encouraged to join the white community, ominous letters that reference an upcoming lunar event soon arrive addressed to James from “The Keeper,” warning that the boy must somehow prove his worth to keep his household safe. Already suffering from self-doubt in his new surroundings, the tween wonders if this is a deliberate attempt to make the family feel like outsiders, or if something otherworldly is afoot. James and Ava, establishing a temporary truce, race to uncover the frightening mystery of their new town. García McCall’s (All the Stars Denied) warmhearted tale of sibling courage interweaves moments of genuine horror with touching scenes of familial tenderness that help buoy this mystery through a meandering start to a tidy and satisfying end. Ages 8–12. Agent: Andrea Cascardi, Transatlantic Literary. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"Part new-kid-in-town coming-of-age story, part supernatural thriller." — Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
2021-10-26
When James and his younger sister, Ava, move to a new town in a new state, they expect to encounter some differences—but their new neighborhood seems to be hiding dark secrets.
Twelve-year-old Mexican American James, who is Texas born and bred, has no interest in moving to cold and rainy Oregon. He misses his two best friends, and he especially misses Ita, his maternal grandmother, who passed away shortly before the big move. Tensions are high with his parents and 10-year-old Ava, too, due in part to the siblings’ ongoing prank war. Then creepy letters addressed to James from someone who signs off as “The Keeper” start appearing with warnings that he must prove himself as a member of his new community. Though at first mutually suspicious, James and Ava come to believe that neither one is behind the letters, but the erosion of trust caused by their rivalry leads their parents to believe it’s just another one of their elaborate hoaxes. Now, instead of being adversaries, the siblings must work together to solve the mystery behind their secretive community. The plot is slow to build, taking time to establish the siblings’ relationship and the neighbors’ ostensible friendliness. Unfortunately, this leaves less time to cultivate the mystery of the letters; this storyline only really picks up around the halfway mark, and the resolution feels rushed.
Part new-kid-in-town coming-of-age story, part supernatural thriller, with a slow start and a mostly satisfying end. (Horror. 8-12)
