Valentina Salazar is NOT a Monster Hunter

Gr 3-7–The heart of this middle grade novel is a family that begins to fray after a father’s death. The pain and loss lead all of the children to react in varying ways that further divide them. Andromeda abandons her family’s motto and purpose of saving magical creatures—in fact, she joins forces with her villainous uncle to hunt down and destroy them. Rome retreats into a world of silence rooted in misguided guilt over his father’s loss. Lola leans into academics and cheerleading, spending every possible minute away from the home. And Valentina, the youngest, clings to the family’s motto of Protect, Valor, Heart. When everyone tells her to stop searching for monsters, she disobeys. This disobedience alienates her from kids at school as well as her own family. But her rebellious spirit is a force to be reckoned with. Equal parts goofy and courageous, Valentina helps guide her family back to healing while also unraveling the truth about their father. Valentina’s infectious can-do attitude is a uniting force. Not only does this young hero reassemble her fragmented family, she also weaves together a motley ensemble of believers in magic and monsters to help save the magical creatures. Young readers will especially love Brixie, a fairy and satellite character to Valentina who delivers pleasing comic relief.