Jade is not excited about starting 8th grade at her new school in Atlanta; she misses her old home and Abuela in Chicago. However, she does like the wooded trail she walks to get from her new house to school and back. In these woods, she meets Itzli, who sometimes appears as a jaguar and other times as a man, telling her ancestral stories of Mexico. His stories take on new light as Jade’s Abuela becomes ill and the Twin Towers come crashing down in New York. With Itzli’s stories, and her own patience and strength, Jade must discover who she really is.

This was such an adorable book that readers of all ages will enjoy! Jade is such a relatable character, and I loved the closeness of her family. The fantasy element of Itzli appearing as a jaguar and then turning into an old man to impart stories was well done. Ana Osorio did a brilliant job narrating the audiobook. I highly recommend checking out this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

What the Jaguar Told Her
by Alexander V. Méndez
Narrated by Ana Osorio
Publication : 12th October 2022
Publisher :RBMedia, Recorded Books
Genre: Children's Fiction, Multicultural Interest
A beautiful coming-of-age story about a girl who is forced to move to the city of Atlanta, Georgia due to living conditions and struggles to adjust and build a life in her new surroundings.
I've heard other stories of this nature talking about animals in the jungle who are smart people who help young people. This is a common archetype in both Native American folklore and Latin American mythology, although Brazil, Peru, Colombia and others have stories similar to those based on "What the Jaguar Told Her". , is more relevant to those familiar with Latino folklore, but its appeal is universal.
What didn't bother me much was that sometimes, but not always, Iztli's wisdom was too general, too feel-good, too self-help talk show. The target audience may not be as enthusiastic as I am, who enjoys the story itself and the friendship between Jaguar's man and girl.

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #childrensbooks #childrensfiction #multicultrualintrest

What the Jaguar Told Her by Alexandra V. Mendez

Eighth grade is a difficult time of transition for anyone, Jade is no exception. She will be spending her final year of middle school in a new city. After her mother gifts her with a mysterious mirror, she makes a new and exceedingly unexpected friend. Itztli, an old jaguar-man, tells her stories of his past and teaches her art. His support and guidance help her to navigate her grandmother’s stroke and the shared national trauma of 9/11.

If my synopsis comes off as slightly erratic, try not to let that deter you. This is the book I yearned for when I was in middle school. Just because you are young, does not mean you are unable to appreciate complex plot structures with hidden meaning. This book provides the readers with an intricate story of love, loss and individuation.

I adored Jade’s character. The reader gets to follow her journey through the coming-of-age life events that most girls experience along-side broader ageless challenges. They varying depth of her struggles mimicked real-world experiences.

What the Jaguar Told Her will stay with me for a long time. It is easily one of my favorite middle-grade books to date!

Thank you Alexandra V. Mendez, NetGalley, and RB Media for my audio advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Vibes: Unable to Provide

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 5

This is a great option for anyone looking for a diverse, Latinx book for middle grade readers. It is full of all the reality of coming-of-age and dealing with the changes and trials in personal and collective life. The magical realism is done superbly. The characters are delightful; I loved being a part of the bonds forged with family, friends, and community. Jade, finds herself as she connects with her heritage and learns how to preserve her story through her gifts and passions.