Gr 3-6 If books were written in black and white, The Lightning Queen would be written in color. Esma, a young Romani girl, meets Teo, a young Mixteco living on the Hill of Dust in the mountains of Mexico, when her traveling caravan makes a stop in Teo's small village. The Romani bring with them the magic of cinema films, and after the loss of Teo's father and sister, Esma gives him a reason to feel alive again. When Esma's grandmother, the Mistress of Destiny, reveals Teo's true fortunethat he and Esma will be lifelong friends and will save each otherEsma and Teo work hard to make sure their fortune comes true. Esma gives Teo the courage to save others and ultimately helps him to save himself. In return, Teo lifts Esma up just when she believes that her own dream is an impossibility. Esma and Teo go their separate ways; she becomes a shining star admired by the world, while he becomes a healer like his grandfatherand it is not until they are both in old age that they meet again. With the help of Teo's grandson Mateo and Esma's granddaughter Ruby, Teo and Esma rekindle their lifelong friendship. Like surviving a lightning strike, this book is rare and incredible. VERDICT The diverse characters, heartbreaking events, and historical and present-day backdrops are excellently executed. Highly recommended. Selenia Paz, Helen Hall Library, League City, TX

Mateo is fascinated by the story of his Mixteco grandfather Teo's lifelong friendship with the gypsy girl known as Esma, the Lightning Queen. Years later, when his healer grandfather feels called to Esma's side, Mateo is able to help reunite the two friends, who are bound by mystical silver threads. Similar in plot and location (Oaxaca, Mexico) to Resau's earlier novel What the Moon Saw (2006), this is a gentle tale of magic realism and nostalgia. It is didactic in parts, and the plot thread with Mateo's mother is neglected and uneven, but the simplicity of the message about friendship and the memorable characters th animal and human ll move readers. Resau is conscientious about being an outsider exploring a culture different from her own, and she includes abundant back matter about the story's inspiration, the Mixteco and Romani people, as well as a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Mexican Spanish, Mixteco, and Romani words that are scattered throughout the text.