THE MIDNIGHT WAR OF MATEO MARTINEZ by Robin Yardi tells the captivating story of a boy who encounters anthropomorphic skunks in his neighborhood.
When two talking skunks steal his old trike, Mateo, his little sister Mila, and his friend Ashwin must work together to figure out what’s happening in their neighborhood late at night.
This story about friendship and family will appeal to middle grade readers who enjoy a bit of magical realism in their stories.
Librarians will find this quick-read to be popular wth a wide range of readers. The animal and medieval themes along with the fast-paced approach will particularly appeal to boys and reluctant readers.
Although not a focal point of the story, Mateo’s concerns about language and his Mexican-American heritage make this book a useful entry into the library’s diversity collection. It’s also refreshing to find an Indian-American character.
A discussion guide, bookmark, and activity ideas are available at the author’s website.
To learn more about the author, go to http://robinyardi.com/.
Published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
