Parents' Guide to

Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Kids fight folklore beings in adventure with lots of chills.

Book Ryan Calejo Fantasy 2018
Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

emmastein
emmastein Adult
February 13, 2019
age 9+

Great kids book!

Bought this book for my school age child but also read it and truly enjoyed! I mostly enjoyed how all the Hispanic myths were woven into the story and came to life in a modern setting. Not only was it fun to read but we learned so much about the different Latin American countries and their myths. We frequently looked up the different characters to learn their “back stories” and discussed the similarities and differences between them and the countries of origin. It brought back many childhood memories that I shared with my child! Enjoy reading it with your child(ren)!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
guerra123
guerra123 Adult
February 13, 2019
age 9+

Really enjoyed learning about Hispanic myths and legends.

Bought the book for my son who is 10 years old for his birthday. He read it in a week. He really enjoyed the Hispanic myths and legends. He even wants to dress like Charlie for Halloween. He is hoping for a second book. My husband and I also enjoyed reading this book.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CHARLIE HERNÁNDEZ & THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS can barely stay a step ahead of the evil forces that want to destroy the barrier between our world and the underworld. Really, all Charlie wants is to find his parents who disappeared suddenly on the same afternoon their house burned down, and to understand the strange things that are happening to his body like growing horns, feathers, and one arm turning into a lobster claw. But each new clue to what's going on only brings another narrow escape from dark, mythical creatures straight out of his grandmother's folk tales. Can he and his new friend (and secret crush) Violet find Queen Joanna and the answers they need before the forces of darkness close in?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

Debut novelist Ryan Calejo brings a refreshing Latino twist to a middle-grade fantasy adventure. And there's lots of appeal for fans of Percy Jackson-type excitement. Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows move the story along from one close call to the next, until the satisfying ending that leaves the door open for further adventures.

Readers will learn a lot about folklore from both the Old and New Worlds, and tweens will relate to Charlie as he learns to accept himself and his body, and to appreciate his strange, new powers. The structure of the plot gets pretty repetitive, but younger readers likely won't mind as each step along the way features a creepily fascinating figure from ancient folk tales. Dark atmospheres, frequent peril, rare strong language, and many undead or underworld fantasy creatures make it best for tweens and up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the positive representations in Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows. Why is it important to read books, watch movies and TV, or play games with diverse characters?

  • What do you think about the author's use of Spanish words and phrases? If you don't speak Spanish, were you able to figure out the meanings? Does it interupt or enhance the story to use both languages?

  • What's your favorite myth or story from folklore? Go to the library or try an online search to find lots more, from just about everywhere in the world.

Book Details

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