Chicago Public Library-Blog: Enchanted Reads For Fans Of Encanto

Press release from the Chicago Public Library-blog:

Liv

January 31, 2022

If the soundtrack from Encanto has been playing all month in your head or in your home, you're not alone. The Madrigals and their casita have captured our hearts and imaginations. If you can't get enough of Disney's most magical family, here are six more tales of middle grade magic you just have to read. 

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls: 12-year-old Cecilia "Cece" Rios comes from a family of fierce women. When Tierra del Sol is your home, you have to be. The desert is dangerous, especially during the criatura months when the legendary creatures roam the cliffs and canyons, eager to prey on residents of Tierra del Sol. Cece has always been too gentle to fight but when an especially dangerous criatura, El Sombrerón, The Bride Stealer, kidnaps her old sister Juana, Cece is determined to do anything it takes to get her back.

Cece Rios and the Desert of SoulsCece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Rivera, Kaela,Rivera, Kaela, Book, 2021Available View detailsView details for Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, Book, Available

Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows: El Sombrerón is back to plague another group of middle schoolers. When Charlie Hernández's parents disappear, he suspects the key to their survival - and his own - might lie in the myths and legends his abuela used to share. 

Charlie Hernández & the League of ShadowsCharlie Hernández & the League of Shadows

Calejo, Ryan,Calejo, Ryan, Book, 2018Available View detailsView details for Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows, Book, Available

A Dash of Trouble: The Logroño family are the proud owners of Amor y Azúcar, a bakery that serves pastries so delicious you might even call them magical! And they are. The women of the Logroño women are brujas who sweeten their magic with sugar and love. But they've been keeping their magic from 11-year-old Leo, the baby of the family. Find out why when you read the Love Sugar Magic series. 

A Dash of TroubleA Dash of Trouble

Meriano, Anna,Meriano, Anna, Paperback, 2018Available View detailsView details for A Dash of Trouble, Paperback, Available

Ghost Squad: Ghosts fill Lucely Luna's breakfast table, kiss her goodnight and pop in her bedroom to remind her to clean it. But Lucely isn't scared. Because those ghosts? They're family. When members of the Luna family die, they don't disappear. They stay right at home, often taking on the form of cucuyos (fireflies). But lately their lights have been fading. What will happen if they flicker out for good? Lucely is determined to keep their fires burning bright. 

Ghost SquadGhost Squad

Ortega, Claribel,Ortega, Claribel, Book, 2020Available View detailsView details for Ghost Squad, Book, Available

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer: The small town of Fry, Virginia has a tendency to attract mysterious visitors and paranormal events. Thankfully, it's also home to Sheed and Otto Alston, "The Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County," cousins and local heroes. From the Laughing Locusts to the Dastardly Dummy of Denos, there’s never been a case Sheed and Otto haven’t cracked, except how to make summer vacation last a little longer. That's all about to change in this first book in the A Legendary Alston Boys Adventure series. 

The Last Last-day-of-summerThe Last Last-day-of-summer

Giles, L. R. (Lamar R.),Giles, L. R. (Lamar R.), Book, 2019Available View detailsView details for The Last Last-day-of-summer, Book, Available

Tidesong: Sophie longs to become a powerful witch, just like her mother and grandmother before her. But when she's sent to stay on a remote island with Great Aunt Lanny and Auntie Sage, instead of teaching her spells for the Royal Magic Academy auditions, stern Great Aunt Lanny gives Sophie chores. Can Sophie discover her magic and what makes Great Aunt Lanny so distant? 

TidesongTidesong

Xu, Wendy,Xu, Wendy, Paperback, 2021Available View detailsView details for Tidesong, Paperback, Available

For more magical reads, check out Middle Grade Magic. 

What are your favorite magical stories?

This press release was produced by the Chicago Public Library-blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.