Anomalies 53: Into the Shadows

Gr 4-6–This first book in a new series introduces readers to a world filled with manticores, wyverns, golems, and a mystery that only two children can solve. Eleven-year-old Ollie Robles grew up in Area 53—a compound in the Nevada desert where mythical creatures are taken for safekeeping. He and his best friend, 13-year-old Garen Jackson, have been protected by the researchers of Area 53 until one day when they accidentally set free several magical creatures, including a golem named Henry. Now they must scramble to find the creatures before the world is torn apart, taking their families with it. Cervantes’s latest echoes some of the old fantasy series like “Chronicles of Narnia” but with fun new touches. Ollie and Garen have Latino parents. They’re partial to a llamacorn and a bright blue hair-do. These details ground the adventure in the book, drawing attention to its most important feature—the friendship between Ollie and Garen.