Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Paloma Marquez travels to Mexico City with her mom, who is researching Frida Kahlo. While exploring Kahlo's famous Blue House, Paloma meets siblings Gael and Lizzie, who share her interest in the celebrated artist. The three young people become entangled in a mystery involving a ring that once belonged to Kahlo. As they follow clues through Mexico City's historic sites and neighborhoods, they must determine who they can trust while uncovering the truth about the missing jewelry. The middle-grade novel combines art history, Mexican culture, and a suspenseful investigation. Through Paloma's exploration of Mexico City and her connection to Kahlo's legacy, the story examines themes of identity, friendship, and the power of art to bridge cultural divides.

Readers commend this middle-grade mystery for its authentic portrayal of Mexican culture, engaging storyline, and educational elements about Frida Kahlo. Many note it works well as both a mystery novel and an introduction to Mexican history. Readers appreciated: - Strong character development of protagonist Paloma - Natural integration of Spanish words with context clues - Accessible information about Frida Kahlo's life - Mexico City setting details and cultural accuracy Common criticisms: - Plot becomes predictable for older readers - Some found the resolution too neat - A few noted pacing issues in the middle chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (150+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect blend of culture, history and mystery" appears frequently in reviews. Multiple teachers report success using it in classrooms, with one noting "students stay engaged through the entire book." Some parents mention the book prompted their children to learn more about Frida Kahlo and Mexican culture.

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🦚 Author Angela Cervantes was inspired to write this mystery after visiting Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul (Blue House) in Mexico City, which serves as a key setting in the book. 🇲🇽 The book weaves together real historical details about Frida Kahlo's life and art with fictional elements, including actual locations like the Xochimilco canals and authentic Mexican cultural traditions. 💍 The peacock ring referenced in the title was based on a real piece of jewelry owned by Frida Kahlo, though the ring's role in the story is fictional. 🏆 The novel won the International Latino Book Award in the Best Youth Latino Focused Chapter Book category. 📚 Angela Cervantes primarily writes middle-grade fiction featuring Mexican-American protagonists, drawing from her own experiences growing up in a Mexican-American family in Kansas City.