Quetzal’s Labyrinth
Publisher: Knopf/PRH
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Illustrator: Cathleen McAllister
ISBN-13: 979 82170 28931
From the Pura Belpré Award–winning author of Lola comes a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection full of action and fantasy when Aztec mythology crashes into everyday life.
Twelve year-old Diego never believed his abuelo’s stories of gods and monsters and the ancient magic woven through Mexican history. Not until he found himself sprinting down a dark hallway, chased by a beast straight out of lore—its fur as coarse as iron and five human hands clawing furiously at his throat.
Turns out, the myths are real, and their magic is erupting into Diego’s world. As shadowy creatures besiege abuelo’s apartment, his dog Cholo fixes Diego with a human gaze and speaks. Cholo reveals they’ve been unwittingly ensnared in a centuries-old rivalry between the great God Quetzal and his ruthless brother Tezca. Tezca is rising, summoning an army of minions, while Quetzal, the only one strong enough to stop him, has vanished.
Humanity hangs by a thread, and Diego has no choice but to enter Quetzal’s labyrinth—accompanied by his friends Violeta and Cholo, a sassy rubber chicken, and a bloodthirsty kitten—to face a power older than civilization itself.
The stakes are legendary, but maybe, deep down, Diego is too.
“Intricate worldbuilding and a cast of complex, memorable characters secure this novel’s place among the best of middle-grade mythological fantasy. Epic, imaginative, and thoroughly entertaining, this standout fantasy will leave readers eager for more.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Aztec mythology is seamlessly integrated into a briskly paced narrative boasting inventive creatures, formidable deities, and escalating dangers. Vivid sensory details bring Nahualan to life, while occasional chapters from the perspectives of animals and monsters lend humor. Themes of self-discovery emerge organically through Diego’s quest, resulting in a captivating fantasy.”
– Publishers Weekly
“A heroic journey through the Aztec world that would work particularly well for fans of mythological beings and quests.”
– School Library Journal
“I fell headfirst into this book and never wanted to climb back out! Full of humor, mythology, and rip-roaring adventure, Quetzal’s Labyrinth takes readers to a world so alive with magic and wonder it sparkles off the page.”
— Kate O’Shaughnessy, author of the Newbery Honor winner The Wrong Way Home
“This book has it all—humor, mythological intrigue, suspenseful adventure. I adored it.”
— Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor author of Other Words for Home and A Rover’s Story
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.
- AZTEC DIETIES – download a list of all the Aztec gods referenced in this book, along with pronunciation tips. Those names are tough to say!
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