Hurricane Child

Hurricane Child follows 12-year-old Caroline Murphy, who lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands with her father after her mother's unexplained disappearance. Born during a hurricane and able to see spirits others cannot see, Caroline believes she carries a curse that brings her misfortune. At her Catholic school, Caroline faces isolation and bullying until a new student named Kalinda arrives from Barbados. As the two girls form a connection, Caroline begins to experience feelings that help her understand herself in new ways while also spurring her to search for answers about her missing mother. The story unfurls against the vivid backdrop of Caribbean island life, incorporating elements of magical realism alongside the realities of growing up in a small island community. Callender's novel navigates themes of first love, family bonds, self-discovery, and the sometimes difficult path toward understanding one's identity and place in the world. Life's storms - both literal and metaphorical - serve as a framework for this story about finding courage and acceptance in the face of loss, difference, and change.

Readers connect with the raw emotions and atmospheric Caribbean setting of this middle-grade novel. Many note the authentic portrayal of complex family relationships and the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. Readers appreciated: - Representation of LGBTQ+ themes in middle-grade fiction - Vivid descriptions of life in the US Virgin Islands - Cultural elements and incorporation of local beliefs - Treatment of difficult topics like abandonment and bullying Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Some supernatural elements felt underdeveloped - Resolution seemed rushed for certain plotlines Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (350+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Reader quote: "The author doesn't shy away from tough emotions but handles them with care and nuance." - Goodreads reviewer Critic quote: "Some parts were hard to follow with the shifting between present and past." - Amazon reviewer

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega A middle-grade story set in St. Augustine where a young girl coping with loss must work with spirits to save her community, featuring similar themes of grief and supernatural elements.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore Set in Harlem, this story follows a boy processing family loss while navigating his identity and finding connection through creativity, echoing Caroline's journey of self-discovery.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Three sisters travel to find their absent mother in Oakland, mirroring Caroline's search for her missing parent while exploring themes of family relationships and belonging.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller A tale weaving Korean folklore with a girl's quest to save her grandmother, incorporating magical realism and family dynamics similar to Hurricane Child.

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon Two brothers form an important friendship with a mysterious newcomer, exploring themes of connection and self-discovery in ways that parallel Caroline and Kalinda's relationship.

🌊 The U.S. Virgin Islands, where the story is set, consist of three main islands: Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas - each with its own unique cultural heritage and history. 🌀 Author Kacen Callender was also born and raised in Saint Thomas, drawing from personal experience to create authentic Caribbean settings and characters in their work. 📚 Hurricane Child was Callender's debut novel, published in 2018, and went on to win the Lambda Literary Award and the Stonewall Book Award. 🎨 The book is one of relatively few middle-grade novels that authentically represents both Caribbean culture and LGBTQ+ themes for young readers. ⛪ The Catholic school setting reflects the strong influence of Catholicism in the Virgin Islands, where approximately 34% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic.