ALT Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall Cover image features the silhouettes of five girls jumping in the air with interlocking hands. Above them is a constellation of a butterfly

ALT A fairy tale-esque blend of Aztec and Mexican mythos and the Odyssey focused on the bond of sisters with a protective eldest daughter? Yeah, I believe in literature. This is such a beautiful and thrilling book. I love Odilia so much. The "cincas hermanitas" are so dear to me. Cause yes her sisters are annoying as all hell but they're also just kids and they rely on Odilia and she loves them fiercely.

ALT The magic in this is everything I love in a fantasy with nods to Aztec gods and goddesses and an inventive and moving take on La Llorona. The never-know-who-to-trust aspect of the girls' journey also adds to this story's fairy tale feel. Indigenous mythology isn't often explored in fantasy and mythology retellings so it was very refreshing and nice to see some Aztec representation and history mixed in with latine folklore and Catholicism. And do not skip the author's note which provides some historical and personal context for the story.