BOOK REVIEW: The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau

BLURB:

A stunningly rendered mystical novel, set in the remote mountains of Mexico in the 1950s, illuminates the power of an unlikely friendship that blends cultures, magic, and possibilities. 

Nothing exciting happens on the Hill of Dust, in the remote mountains of Mexico in the 1950s. There's no electricity, no plumbing, no cars, just day after day of pasturing goats. And now, without his sister and mother, eleven-year-old Teo's life feels even more barren. And then one day, the mysterious young Esma, who calls herself the Gypsy Queen of Lightning, rolls into town like a fresh burst of color. Against all odds, her caravan's Mistress of Destiny predicts that Teo and Esma will be longtime friends. Suddenly, life brims with possibility. With the help of a rescued duck, a three-legged skunk, a blind goat, and other unexpected allies, Teo and Esma must overcome obstacles--even death--to fulfill their impossible destiny.

Inspired by true stories derived from rural Mexico, The Lightning Queen offers a glimpse of the encounter between two fascinating but marginalized cultures--the Rom and the Mixtec Indians--while telling the heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship.

REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 5 months

MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:

This book was fantastic! I enjoyed it a lot because it is a heartwarming story!

My favorite character is Esma because she is brave like me. My favorite part is when Ba and the others eat duck poop because it is funny. 

I also liked this book because it taught me about some of my Mexican culture. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 13. 

This book was published on October 27, 2015.