Legendarios – Wrath of the Rain God
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Illustrator: Vanessa Morales
Pub Date: April 16, 2024
ISBN-13: 978 16659 35999
Title chosen for the 2025 Illinois Reads Program and nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award.
Twins coping with moving to a new city get swept back in time by a magical book in this first book in the Legendarios chapter book series that’s Magic Tree House meets Heroes in Training!
Nine-year-old twins, Emma and Martín, couldn’t be more different in their personalities, interests, and even their looks. But one thing they absolutely agree on is that moving from Cuernavaca, Mexico, to Illinois is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, they’re not given a choice when their dad lands his dream job as a middle school principal in Chicago. To help the twins stay connected to their Mexican heritage, their abuela gifts them a book of Mexican legends. The book turns out to be more than a going away present…it’s a magical item that transports them directly into the legends!
In the first legend, Emma and Martín encounter Tlaloc, the god of rain. Tlaloc is angry because his lightning bolt has been stolen, and his rage is manifesting as a torrential downpour over the ancient city of Texcoco. The rain won’t stop until the lightning bolt has been returned, so Emma and Martín set out to recover it.
Will they find Tlaloc’s bolt in time to help the people of Texcoco save their home? Or will the wrath of the rain god mark the end of this legendary city?
LEGENDARIOS is a chapter book series following twins, Emma and Martín, on a series of exciting adventures as they’re plunged into a magical book of Mexican legends given to them by their abuela when the twins move from Mexico to the United States.
“Valenti’s adventurous premise will engage readers, while the plot and characters deftly introduce Mexican history and myths, astutely focusing on the unforgettable Tlaloc. A promising series starter featuring plenty of clever references to Indigenous Mexican food, history, and language.”
– Booklist
“A delightful mix of myth and modern-day struggles, this adventure will captivate young readers and is a recommended purchase for collections seeking to expand their myth-based offerings.”
– School Library Journal
Educational Resources:
- DISCUSSION GUIDE – download discussion questions to help you explore and analyze the text more deeply. Help students meet several Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
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