Maya and the Rising Dark (Maya and the Rising Dark #1), written by Rena Barron, reviewed by Amanda Davies

Summary: Maya and her two good friends, Eli and Frankie, live in a pretty typical neighborhood in Chicago. Or so they think. When Maya sneaks out to find out what her weird elderly neighbors are doing one night, she finds that both the neighbors and the neighborhood aren't quite what they seem. They actually live in a center of the Orisha gods and godlings (part god, part human) of West African tradition that Maya has read about in her comics since she was little. Maya also discovers that her dad is responsible for keeping the veil between Earth and the Dark sealed so that the evil spirits on the other side can't overrun humanity. When her dad suddenly disappears and none of the Orisha rush in to help, Maya, Eli, and Frankie decide it's up to them. But they're unprepared for all of the danger they'll face. The three friends learn that they have to trust each other and themselves if they're going to survive and save Maya's dad.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This is a powerful story combining the mythology of West Africa with a thriving Black neighborhood in South Side Chicago. The book celebrates the value and wisdom of the Orisha stories in a way that feels authentic though wishful, even imagining a whole comic series based on the Orisha Oya (currently a side character in the X-Men). Seriously, why doesn't this series already exist? The main characters, all Black, are thoughtfully developed and real; the snarky conversations between Eli and Frankie are especially enjoyable. While the book definitely fits in the Percy Jackson mold of young people discovering their half-god powers, that doesn't detract from the excitement, action, and importance of the story. Students who love Percy Jackson, who are interested in reading positive Black stories about Black characters, and those who want battles, magic, and adventure should all enjoy this book.