Looking for something to entertain younger listeners -- or the whole family? Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Rena Barron’s middle-grade fantasy audiobook that shines thanks to Soneela Nankani’s animated performance. Maya has loving parents, good friends, and a welcoming community in Chicago. She also has just discovered that everyone’s been hiding a huge secret -- they have magic! Maya and her friends find dangerous magical creatures lurking in their neighborhood, and a sinister Lord of Shadows visits her in her dreams. When Maya’s father, an Orisha, is stolen away into the Dark world, she decides to use her newfound powers to rescue him. Nankani’s emotional connection will delight listeners of all ages, and sound effects amplify the tension and excitement. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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