Pahua and the Soul Stealer
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Pahua and the Soul Stealer is a middle grade fantasy adventure about 11-year-old Pahua Moua. She's Hmong American and doesn't feel like she belongs. Living in Wisconsin doesn't help, but at least Pahua grew up special. All her life, she could see spirits, and she even has a talking spirit cat for a best friend. Her other best friend is her younger brother, Matt. But he suddenly falls ill after Pahua accidentally sets free an angry and sad spirit, who promptly begins stealing the souls of other children, including Matt. Good for them, then, that Pahua is a brave, determined, caring, and intelligent hero who doesn't resort to violence unless she absolutely has to. Pahua is a fantastic girl role model. On her quest to save her brother, Pahua will encounter scary demons, ghosts, and gods, life-threatening crises, hazards, and risks, and many moments of peril, fear, and danger. Expect chase scenes, lots of fighting, a girl chopping off the heads of spirit monsters, some stabbing with swords, knives, and spears, and girls killing spirits and demons. When cut or stabbed, spirits and demons dissipate into black smoke. But some blood happens when the two main characters get cut by enemy swords, claws, or other weapons. Many scenes also show Pahua and her friend Zhong almost dying as they face drowning, falling asleep forever, and being crushed to death inside a tree. Some of the monsters, ghosts, demons, and scary situations may frighten younger readers.
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What's the Story?
In PAHUA AND THE SOUL STEALER, 11-year-old Hmong American Pahua Moua is in over her head. Somehow she contributed to her brother's getting sick, and now it's up to her to save him. But to do that, she'll have to enter the spirit realm, conquer her fears, and face many intimidating challenges. She'll fight, negotiate, and become friends with many mythological creatures, spirits, animals, and gods. She'll also face down scary demons, encounter gigantic beasts, and resist lethal temptations. Will it be enough, though, to save her brother?
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy adventure thrills with an absolutely epic story. Incredibly creative, Pahua and the Soul Stealer is magical, modern, cultural, and distinctly Asian American. With clear references to a life both American and Hmong, Pahua's world is brimming with charm and whimsy, but also danger and great risk. The story, characters, and invention on display are all enchanting, the arcs of all the major players are varied and believable, and the pacing, structure, and delivery of the story are all elegantly built.
Pahua is a wonderful 11-year-old girl role model. She comes into her own and comes into immense power (along with greater pressure and responsibility), showing readers how it might look when someone becomes a hero. After all, as one spirit creature in the spirit realm suggests, "No one is born a ready-made hero." Instead, heroes are made. They have to come into their hero-ness, slowly and unsurely, hesitant and doubtful but always curious, determined, and eager to do the right thing. For some readers, the story will be a bit long, the violence a bit too much, and/or the ghosts, monsters, demons, and perilous situations too scary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Hmong history and culture in Pahua and the Soul Stealer. What were your favorite creatures, animals, or spirits? Why were these your favorites?
What is a trait or characteristic of Pahua that you like most? What do you think makes her a strong hero?
If you could see spirits and had a talking spirit cat as a best friend, would you tell anyone or keep it to yourself?
Book Details
- Author: Lori M. Lee
- Genre: Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
- Publication date: September 7, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 320
- Last updated: September 13, 2021
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