Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows

Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows

By Ryan Calejo

6 ratings 8 reviews 8 followers

“This is a perfect pick for kids who love Rick Riordan’s many series, particularly for those eager for mythologies beyond Greek and Roman stories.” –Booklist (starred review)

“A winner for all kids, but it will be especially beloved by Latinx and Hispanic families”–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.

Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.

But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.

Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).

No pressure, muchacho.

Publisher: Aladdin
ISBN-13: 9781534426597
ISBN-10: 1534426590
Published on 10/22/2019
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 352

Book Reviews (9)

Add a Rating

Absolutely wonderful book!!!! Great reading, not just for middle/grade school, but for adults as well. I plan to read the second book over the weekend, and I'm so looking forward to it. I TOTALLY recommend.

Just finished reading this book and loved every thing about it. I'm not into reading usually but I'm ordering Castle of Bones and can't wait to follow Charlie and violet on new adventures.

WOW!!!!!!!!!! What a great story. It just keeps you going and grabs you from the first page. I recommended this book to all my friends. Thank you Ryan.

Wonderful story full of Hispanic myths and legends. My children loved it. Can not wait for the sequel, Charlie Hernandez and the Castle of Bones. Wonder what adventures are waiting for Charlie and Violet. No Pressure Muchacho!

Chiki Chiki

I really love this book!. My mother was reading this book with me and she loved it. I'm in six grade but my teacher says I'm reading at an eight grade level.

Sanc1 Sanc1

I really enjoyed reading this book during my vacation! Read it so fast! Can’t wait for second part. I’m in 7th grade and I will keep it for my sister to read but she is only in 2nd grade.

I love the books! Great for passing time!

socool socool

I loved this book I love adventure,im in 4th grade and I read it in 2 hours! I love this book because it makes sense!

I loved this book it has a great sense of adventure! I'm in 7th grade and I read this book in two days, but for younger ages it might take a bit longer.