PILAR RAMIREZ AND THE ESCAPE FROM ZAFA Pilar Ramirez Duology, Book 1

Amanda Alcántara's vivacious narration embodies the sarcastic voice of 12-year-old Pilar Ramirez in an audiobook that blends the poetry of images and the music of language. Growing up in a rapidly gentrifying Chicago, Pilar has heard stories of the horrors of Dominican dictator Trujillo and myths of the fictional boogeyman called El Cuco. Listening to her mother's and abuela's stories, Pilar dreams of finding her missing cousin, Natasha, and recording that story as a documentary. She never imagines being magically transported to Zafa, a supernatural world where she discovers Natasha, teams up with fantastical creatures to take on El Cuco, and saves the enchanted island. Alcántara makes dialogue sparkle, humor warm, action speedy, villains threatening, and Pilar an unforgettable, bighearted heroine. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2022]