How to Free a Leviathan

Gr 5 Up–The third volume in Cannistra’s series brimming with mythological creatures. Giada is a 13-year-old magical vet with a beautiful black cat familiar named Sinistro. Along with Mrs. Calomeneri, she travels to Argentina for a magical vet conference. While there, Giada and Sinistro tour the magical sanctuary. They meet Sophia and Dolores, the head of the facility. Sophia seems nice, but something is off about Dolores, and Sinistro cannot put his paw on it. However, Sophia confirms that there are fishy things going on, and she asks for their help. The writing drags a bit because of repetitive phrasing. The weakest part of the novel is the plot, and the pacing is inconsistent: slow in the beginning and rapid towards the end. Plus, the antagonist’s characterization is inconsistent towards the resolution and reads as too contrived, even for a young audience. But the characterization of Giada is believable and relatable for many a preteen. She makes actual mistakes and has internal challenges that she overcomes. She is also a great example of positive body diversity. As such, this book may act as a mirror for some children. There are also some notable Latinx characters. The strength and heart of the story is the relationship between Giada and Sinistro. The love between them purrs off the page.