Starred Review Danilo "Danny" Monteverde has always believed in magic, but when he learns that his sister, Pili, has gone missing from her last foster home, his belief begins to wane. After years of disappointing and hurtful foster care situations, he still hasn't heard from Pili, but he remembers the fairy tales they loved together, especially their favorite book about a land called Rio Luna, where she promised to wait for him. This bouncy, bubbly narrative crafts an original fairy tale, following Danny on his adventure as he makes new friends and quests to save a magical tome and find his lost sister in Rio Luna. Córdova takes classic fairy-tale tropes and structure and modernizes them, adding diversity and providing a fresh storyline that a broad group of children will be able to relate to. Danny and his ragtag friends must find the correct portal and banish an evil Shadow Witch in order to preserve Rio Luna, and along the way they learn much about belonging, family, trust, and creativity. Fans of the Narnia books or Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth will delight in this microcosmic story-within-a-story, full of secrets and surprises and overflowing with introductions to a host of whimsical characters.

Gr 3-6 Danny Monteverde has survived the foster care system because of his brave older sister, Pili; their mysterious book of fairy tales, The Way to Rio Luna; and his unshakable belief in magic. But when Pili disappears from her group home and is presumed a runaway, and his foster father throws away his beloved book, Danny's world begins to crumble. This is a classic portal fantasy, a portrait of childhood resilience, and an ode to kids who "have hearts that love and souls that are kind and minds that believe." Córdova infuses Danny's quest and the magical world of Rio Luna with friendship, whimsy, and boundless creativity, from the shrewd Moon Witch and dramatic Jackalope Prince to an adventure that spans New York City, Ecuador, Brazil, and Northern Ireland. Original fairy tales feel ancient alongside references to Neverland and Narnia; the result is a revised canon of children's fantasy literature to center a global mythology, heralded by children of color. Although the plot rushes toward an abrupt ending, readers will eagerly await the next installment. VERDICT With its diverse, fully-realized cast of characters and inventive world-building, this complex adventure quest is a rare treat for fantasy lovers and those who believe in magic. Molly Saunders, Manatee County P.L., Bradenton, FL

A boy's magical adventure to find his lost sister.Danny Monteverde believes in wishes, fairy dust, and fairy tales, but Danny and his sister's story hasn't had its happy ending yet. He and Pili have been bounced among foster homes and orphanages for a long time. Unfortunately, the siblings are separated after Danny turns 9, and soon, his sister disappears. The next two years are torturous for Danny, as the siblings' favorite book and most valuable possession, The Way to Rio Luna, is taken away by Danny's foster parents after he digs in their backyard trying to find a secret portal to Pili. However, Danny's luck seems about to change when he discovers the original The Way to Rio Luna with the help of magic arrows on a field trip to the New York Public Library. With newfound friend Glory Papillon and a cast of magical creatures, Danny soon finds out that the magic within him is the key to reuniting with his sister and helping those he encounters on the way. In creating her diverse cast, Córdova opts for physical descriptions, often in the form of simile-"Danny's hair [is] thick and wavy like ropes of black licorice"; his social worker has skin "like fresh coffee with steamed milk"-rather than specific cultural markers (Glory is also a kid of color). Funny and exciting, Córdova's story primes readers for a light, amusing series to come.An entertaining series opener. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Two years prior to the start of Córdova-s (Incendiary) middle grade debut, 11-year-old Danny and older sister Pili cycle through group and foster homes until being separated. Before Pili disappears entirely-a runaway, Danny-s told-she leaves him with her favorite book, fairy tale volume The Way to Rio Luna. He carries it everywhere, thoroughly annoying his cruel foster siblings and impatient foster parents on Staten Island until the book is taken away. A school trip to the New York Public Library (-the big one with the lions out front-) introduces Danny to Glory Papillon, a girl about his age, and reaffirms his belief in magic-especially when he encounters the original copy of Rio Luna. With Glory-s help, Danny sets out to find his sister, perhaps in Rio Luna. In this fantasy with a classic feel, characters of various skin tones and circumstances prove relatable, catching readers up in their triumphs and tribulations. Ages 8-up. Agent: Adrienne Rosado, Stonesong. (June)