The Storm Runner

Zane Obispo, a 13-year-old boy in New Mexico, lives near a dormant volcano with his mother and uncle. His life changes when he meets Brooks, a new student who reveals an ancient Maya prophecy connected to him and the volcano. Zane must navigate a world where Maya mythology exists alongside modern reality, while dealing with a leg disability that marks him as different. His journey takes him through encounters with Maya gods and supernatural beings as he tries to prevent an uprising that threatens both the human and godly realms. The story combines action and Maya culture through Zane's quest to understand his role in events larger than himself. Brooks becomes his ally as they race against time to stop forces that have been set in motion by prophecy. This middle-grade novel explores themes of belonging, destiny, and the power of embracing what makes someone unique. Through its integration of Maya mythology, the book adds a fresh perspective to the contemporary fantasy genre.

Readers value the representation of Mexican and Mayan mythology, with many noting it fills a gap in middle-grade fantasy literature. Parents and teachers highlight how the book resonates with disabled readers through its protagonist Zane, who has a limp. Readers appreciate: - Fast-paced action sequences - Humor throughout the story - Educational aspects about Mayan culture - Diverse characters Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed in latter sections - Too many characters introduced quickly - Some mythology explanations can overwhelm young readers - Similar story structure to Percy Jackson series Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (240+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "The book teaches mythology while keeping kids engaged." Several reviewers mention the ending feels "too convenient." Teachers report strong engagement from 10-13 year old students, particularly those interested in mythology.

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Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee A fox spirit uses her magical abilities to search for her brother through space while uncovering secrets about her family's past.

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🌋 The book draws heavily from Maya mythology, featuring gods and supernatural beings from ancient Mesoamerican culture, including the death god Hun-Hunahpú and the hero twins Hunahpú and Xbalanque. ⚡ The main character, Zane Obispo, has one leg shorter than the other and walks with a cane – a thoughtful representation of disability in middle-grade fantasy that the author purposefully included to increase representation. 🗿 Author J.C. Cervantes (Jennifer Cervantes) worked closely with Rick Riordan and his publishing imprint "Rick Riordan Presents" to develop this story, which follows a similar pattern of mixing modern life with ancient mythology. 🌟 The volcano in the story, "The Beast," was inspired by the real dormant volcano Kilbourne Hole in New Mexico, near where the author lives. 📚 The book is part of a trilogy that includes "The Fire Keeper" and "The Shadow Crosser," each delving deeper into Maya mythology while expanding on modern-day Mexican-American culture.