For the child who's grappling with family expectations and cultural identity, this book offers a thrilling journey through folklore to find their voice.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels like an outsider in their own family or is struggling to live up to expectations. Eleven-year-old Omega Morales is the only non-magical person in her powerful family of brujas, and she feels completely ordinary. But when a monster kidnaps her beloved abuela, Omega must embrace her own unique strengths, teaming up with the legendary boogeyman, El Cucuy, to solve the mystery. This thrilling adventure blends Mexican American folklore with a heartfelt story about fear, bravery, and self-acceptance. It's perfect for middle-grade readers who love a good scare, a magical quest, and a reminder that your greatest power comes from being yourself.
Deals with themes of family secrets and a character's strong feelings of inadequacy.
Cultural Content GapMild
Features many figures from Mexican American folklore that may be unfamiliar to some readers.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with fear, personified by folkloric monsters like La Lechuza. This is handled metaphorically, with external monsters often reflecting internal anxieties and family secrets. The approach is secular, focusing on cultural folklore rather than religion. The resolution is hopeful, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and courage over violence, and redeeming a traditionally villainous character.
Ideal Reader
This is for a 9-12 year old who loves spooky-but-not-terrifying adventures and mythology. It is especially suited for a child who feels overshadowed by siblings or friends, or who is struggling to see their own unique talents. It provides powerful representation for Latinx children and is a fantastic entry point into folklore for any kid who enjoys series like Percy Jackson.
Parent Prep
No major prep is needed, the book can be read cold. However, parents of more sensitive children might want to preview the monster encounter scenes. A quick search of figures like El Cucuy or La Lechuza could provide fun context for a child unfamiliar with the folklore, enhancing the reading experience. The author's note at the end is also very helpful. A parent might hear their child say something like, "Everyone else is good at things, but I'm not," or express frustration about not fitting in with family traditions or expectations. The child may feel insecure or overlooked.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will primarily enjoy the fast-paced adventure, the funny banter between Omega and Clues, and the thrill of the monster encounters. An older reader (10-12) will connect more deeply with the themes of identity, the pressure of family legacy, and the complex idea that things (and boogeymen) are not always what they seem.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many monster-hunting stories, this book's most unique feature is its compassionate reimagining of El Cucuy. He is not a villain to be vanquished but a misunderstood, complex character. This narrative choice, combined with the authentic and loving celebration of Mexican American culture and a focus on non-magical forms of strength like empathy and bravery, makes it a standout in the middle-grade fantasy landscape.
Read plot summary
Eleven-year-old Omega Morales feels like an outcast in her family of powerful brujas because she has no magic of her own. When her abuela is abducted by a shadowy creature, all signs point to the legendary boogeyman, El Cucuy. Convinced of his innocence, Omega forms an unlikely alliance with the mischievous spirit. Together, they journey into a world filled with figures from Mexican American folklore, confronting monsters and family secrets to find Abuela and prove that bravery is its own kind of magic.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Omega feels like she doesn't belong because she lacks magic. Have you ever felt different from your family or friends? What qualities make you uniquely you?
2
El Cucuy is known as a scary monster, but Omega learns he is misunderstood. Why do you think people in the story were so quick to judge him? Can you think of a time something was misjudged?
3
Omega's greatest power turns out to be her bravery and her ability to listen. What does the story teach us about different kinds of strength? Is magical power the only kind that matters?
4
Abuela tells Omega, 'Sometimes the things that we are most afraid of are the things we need the most.' What do you think she means, and how does Omega's relationship with the supposedly scary El Cucuy prove this to be true?
