PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS

Narrator Frankie Corzo brings relatable warmth to this supernatural adventure. Twelve-year-old Paola's mother has warned her not to go near the river for fear of La Llorona, a legendary weeping ghost who drowns her victims. Pao and her friends, Emma and Dante, ignore the warnings--and then, Emma disappears. To rescue her, Pao and Dante embark on an adventure into a magical dreamworld full of frightening chupacabras and ghostly drowned children. Corzo's intensity matches the nonstop action, but distinct voices for the three friends also highlight the human interactions. The Spanish accent of Dante's abuela and effortless pronunciations of Spanish words and phrases add authenticity to the Mexican-American legend. Also fun is Rick Riordan's introduction, in which he shares his own childhood connection to the story. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2020]