Book Blurb {Charlie Hernandez & The League of Shadows}

Charlie Hernandez & The League of Shadows

By: Ryan Calejo

WOW! I just finished this book, and so thankful to see that the author, Ryan, didn't just leave me with a cliff hanger, but the second book is out... well, in September of this year!

The book does not waste time and jumps right into Charlie's world(s). He is a middle school boy (12) who recently 'misplaced' his parents and no longer has a home.... it burnt to the ground. Thankfully he is adopted by a wonderful old 'lady'!

Early on in the story his body starts change, and not just in the teenage boy type of way. We are talking horns, feathers, lobster claw.... and the only person who finds out about his 'disorder' is a classmate, Violet.

Violet is the perfect match for Charlie. She should work for the FBI. Not only does she track Charlie to his first destination, but under pressure (even in cave mines around strange folklore creatures) she can remember facts and ask the most targeting questions a 12 year old could think of.

The book follows Charlie and Violet as they investigate the world in which they thought they lived in. Charlie is blessed with Hispanic legends his beloved Abuela passed to him to help fill the gaps the Violet can't uncover.

The face several epic battles throughout the book, until their final scene (which I won't share).

Thankfully, about half way through the book I discovered that there is a glossary of creatures in the back. I could not keep pace or accurately picture all of the different legends. I am not for sure if it was my lack of Spanish speaking skills, or the quick changes from one world to another, but I had to reread several parts of the book to make sure I was on the correct page.

Overall I would recommend this book to teenagers, specially Hispanic teenagers.  Depending on the kid, some would get lost in the folklore while others would find it wildly fascinating (like Greek mythology).

Let me know what you think!

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After I posted this blog I realized I had a specific form to fill out, so I'm just going to post that here too! It is a checklist so I am going to use it as such.

Title: Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows

Author/Illutrator: Ryan Calejo

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅ SO MANY (almost unrealistic)
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ for pre-teens and teens (although I enjoyed it)
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history? ✅ I am not familiar with Latin culture and folklore, so I am not one to say. 
Comments/Insights: The story is captivating and fast paced!

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? 
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles? ✅
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical?
Comments/Insights: The two main characters are balanced.  Male/Female, Hispanic/Not, Non-Social/Social, Basic Student/Academic nut

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: It would most definitely provide a discussion!

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅✅✅
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically? "underworlds" where do myths live?
Represent cultural settings realistically? 
Comments/Insights:

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? Their first book, inspired by his own family I believe. 
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog!