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“Three cousins come together to save the Caribbean Day Parade from dark forces in this exuberant series opener from Baptiste. Twelve-year-old Misty recently moved in with extended family in Brooklyn. …Misty, Aiden, and their older cousin Brooke quickly learn that their family are descended from magical beings called mokos, and each generation’s power is split between three people. …Lively alternating third-person perspectives center immigrant and Caribbean experiences with humor and heart, culminating in an engaging mystery that emphasizes the high spirits of the festival season and its importance to the tweens’ Afro-Caribbean heritage”

– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos (Moko Magic #1)

Written by Tracey Baptiste
Published by Freedom Fire

Weirdness and wonders abound in this Afro-Caribbean-inspired action-adventure novel about 3 cousins who discover they are mokos—protector spirits—during carnival season in Brooklyn

Twelve-year-old Misty and her mother have just moved from Trinidad to Brooklyn, New York, in time for the annual carnival celebrations over Labor Day weekend. Misty has plenty to deal with getting used to living with her cousins Aiden and Brooke in her new surroundings. On top of that, her mom is too busy trying to find a job and her aunts and uncles are too preoccupied with carnival preparations to pay any attention to her.

Then really strange things begin to happen. A ball of feathers in the basement turns into a creature that squeaks and rolls around. When Misty and her cousins eat pieces of mango anchar, flames shoot out of their mouths. Most disturbing of all, Misty begins to see visions of the future—scary visions that soon come true.

Misty discovers that she and her cousins come from a long line of mokos, people who have special powers meant to help them protect their community. Misty can see impending danger, Aiden can heal, and Brooke has crazy physical strength. The trio is just learning about their skills when Misty senses something watching her. And then each of the carnival events is disrupted by a different disaster. Some kind of evil force is clearly trying to stop the festivities. But why? And will moko magic be enough to save the day?

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9781368074377
Publication Date: August 2024
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York City NY)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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