Publishers Weekly
★ 07/12/2021
This middle grade anthology from Rick Riordan Presents serves up 10 new stories from the imprint’s contributing authors, including a Celtic mythology–inspired piece by Riordan, who edited the volume. Carlos Hernandez kicks things off with an exuberant romp as characters Sal and Gabi chase a wayward, unicorn-riding classmate through alternate worlds, in the process linking to other tales. Elsewhere, Kwame Mbalia’s Gum Baby takes center stage, battling a ghost capable of erasing Black history; Tehlor Kay Mejia’s Paola Santiago risks everything to help her ailing pet chupacabra; and Yoon Ha Lee’s space-faring fox spirit Min embarks upon a new adventure when she and her ghost brother are sent to spy school. As companion pieces to existing series that nevertheless remain accessible for newcomers, these stories both expand each world and offer readers a full sampling of the imprint’s versatility. With an inclusive range of contributors drawing upon their respective heritages and experiences to craft culturally specific, gratifyingly adventurous tales, there’s a little something for everyone here, like a world tour of wonder and excitement. Ages 8–12. Agent: Nancy Gallt, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"The 10 short stories in this anthology pulse with imagination and humor, and each entry is a true page-turner set in a fully realized, satisfyingly complete fantasy world that is accessible even to readers who are not familiar with the authors' novels. A captivating collection of stories based on world mythologies."—Kirkus Reviews
"This collection will appeal to any middle grade reader who loves fantasy. Each simply-told story has a similar tone with contemporary, believable dialogue and features action as the focal point. Fans of the authors' works will be delighted to read a new adventure by their favorite heroes and hopefully will be inspired to read books by the other authors featured in the collection. The short chapters are perfect for classroom read-alouds."—School Library Connection
"With an inclusive range of contributors drawing upon their respective heritages and experiences to craft culturally specific, gratifyingly adventurous tales, there's a little something for everyone here, like a world tour of wonder and excitement."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
School Library Journal
09/01/2021
Gr 4–8—Ten Rick Riordan Presents authors, including Riordan himself, share myths from Korean, Mexican, Native American, Cuban, Indian, and Mesopotamian cultures, among others. The collection is cohesive, with common threads of adventure and kid-friendly humor. Most of the stories are set in the present; only two myths have historic/otherworldly settings: Riordan's Irish yarn of mythical warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill and Ha Lee's space-based tale "The Initiation." Some authors use their myths as vehicles for themes such as cultural pride (Rebecca Roanhorse's "The Demon Drum"), Black history (Kwame Mbalia's "The Gum Baby Files"), and immigration (Sarwat Chadda's "The Loneliest Demon"). Readers can reunite with Sal and Gabi in Carlos Hernandez's "Calamity Juice" and adventure with Aru's sisters in Roshani Chokshi's "Beware the Grove of True Love." Most offerings are told in first person, and readers may find it difficult to quickly identify the hero, setting, and premise without careful reading. Many myths also assume prior knowledge of the authors' other stories and, to avoid confusion, should be read by series fans. While some can be enjoyed as stand-alone tales, other entries are aimed at readers who have read Rick Riordan Presents stories and want more from the "Multiverse Mansion" of beloved characters and authors. VERDICT An entertaining collection recommended for libraries that own other Rick Riordan Presents titles.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Lib. Assoc., CT
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-13
In this anthology penned by authors from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint—and Riordan himself—mythological adventures lie in wait.
In the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Gum Baby must save her friends from a ghostie dressed in rags in Kwame Mbalia’s “The Gum Baby Files.” In Carlos Hernandez’ “Calamity Juice,” Cuban American Sal and Gabi must figure out which alternate version of the universe has swallowed up their friend. In “Beware the Grove of True Love” by Roshani Chokshi, Aru Shah and her Pandava sisters enter a Night Bazaar in the Otherworld; they must return gunghroos, or anklet bells, to a magical being they upset. And at the All-Nations Assembly powwow, Diné girl Nizhoni; her best friend, Davery; and other Native youth try—and fail—to take a break from slaying monsters in “The Demon Drum” by Rebecca Roanhorse. The 10 short stories in this anthology pulse with imagination and humor, and each entry is a true page-turner set in a fully realized, satisfyingly complete fantasy world that is accessible even to readers who are not familiar with the authors’ novels. At times, the dialogue can feel forced, as though the writers are trying to shape their styles to match Riordan’s; the strongest stories are the ones that avoid this pitfall and which have the most distinctive voices.
A captivating collection of stories based on world mythologies. (guide to Irish names, contributor bios) (Fantasy. 9-13)
