Marrero, Letisha. Salsa Magic. Levine Querido, 09/2023. 273pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-260-6. GRADES 4–9. ADDITIONAL.
Thirteen-year-old Maya Beatriz Montenegro Calderon loves her close-knit Puerto Rican family, who all work at the family’s Brooklyn cafe, including the kids. Maya begins to question her family’s history when an estranged great aunt shows up and the kids are forbidden to talk with her. Maya struggles to find out what caused the estrangement decades ago, while also experiencing dreams and strange events that seem to be connected to this Titi. Marrero’s engaging setting and characters give insight into the practice of Santería, an old West African religion that believes every human has a special connection with a Yoruban deity. An author’s note to further explain the Yoruban gods and goddesses would be useful. Review based on an ARC.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library