A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Educational Value
some
Lots of Spanish vocabulary, some is translated but mostly context clues are given. Lots of folklore from all over Latin America, Spain, and Portugal featuring mythical creatures and supernatural beings, along with some information about the origins and most-told stories for many. A glossary in the back provides a few more details for each.
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Positive Messages
some
You may be afraid that your changing body and emotions are turning you into something different and weird, but in the end those changes are what make you you. You can't run away from yourself. Accepting yourself for who and what you truly are makes you powerful and free from worrying about what others think.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Charlie's a good role model for bravery and for using his vast knowledge of folklore to solve problems and defeat the bad guys. He makes some mistakes but ultimately learns to embrace his strange, new powers and accept himself as he is, which makes him a better friend. Violet is smart, driven, brave, stands up to bullies, works at building physical and mental talents and skills, especially those of an investigative reporter. Lots of strong, positive representations of Latino people, folklore, and culture.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Charlie and Violet are often in danger of injury or death from scary, creepy, supernatural and mythical beings from a wide range of folklore traditions. Lots of dark, creepy settings. Blood's mentioned a few times but not described in detail; pain is described with some detail. Charlie and one of his friends are bullied at school with shoving, theft, punching in the stomach, locking in a locker, slamming against walls, and racist verbal hostility. Lots of other fights and confrontations involve fantasy creatures and magical abilities.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Charlie's had a crush on Violet for a few years and occasionally mentions romantic feelings. They hug a few times. Mention that eighth graders making out in the hallways is a common sight at school.
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Language
a little
"Jackass," "butt," "nalgas" (buttocks), and "damn." A bully uses verbal hostility and racism as in how people dress "where you're really from."
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Products & Purchases
a little
A few specific movies, video games, fashion, and food products specifically mentioned to establish character or location. Violet, who's 12, quotes from and takes for granted that Charlie has seen the movie Taken. Charlie, also 12, says he's seen it.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
The kids eat tequila worms that haven't yet been soaked in tequila. Speculation that the bully has taken performance-enhancing drugs. Grandpa's tobacco smoke mentioned in a negative context.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ryan Calejo's Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows is a fantasy-adventure for tweens that draws heavily on folklore from many Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Charlie's parents are missing so dealing with parental loss is a theme, along with remembering a past destructive house fire and going back to what remains. Lots of positive Latino role models and representations in the characters and in the frequent use of Spanish words and phrases. Lots of peril and fights with fantasy and supernatural beings from folklore, and lots of dark, creepy locations, too. Except for a school bully, all other violence is in the realm of fantasy, but blood's mentioned a few times and pain is described. Youngest readers may need help clarifying the calaca's argument about why folklore and its creatures are real. Rare strong language includes "jackass" and "damn." Lots of gross-out moments like eating worms, messing your pants, and a slobbery, tentacled tongue add tween appeal. Mild feelings of romantic interest and attraction and a couple of hugs. Explores themes about the links between culture and folklore, as well as about accepting yourself and your body as it changes and becomes something weird and new.
What's the Story?
CHARLIE HERNÁNDEZ & THE LEAGUE OF SHADOWS can barely stay a step ahead of the evil forces that want to destroy the barrier between our world and the underworld. Really, all Charlie wants is to find his parents who disappeared suddenly on the same afternoon their house burned down, and to understand the strange things that are happening to his body like growing horns, feathers, and one arm turning into a lobster claw. But each new clue to what's going on only brings another narrow escape from dark, mythical creatures straight out of his grandmother's folk tales. Can he and his new friend (and secret crush) Violet find Queen Joanna and the answers they need before the forces of darkness close in?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive representations in Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows. Why is it important to read books, watch movies and TV, or play games with diverse characters?
What do you think about the author's use of Spanish words and phrases? If you don't speak Spanish, were you able to figure out the meanings? Does it interupt or enhance the story to use both languages?
What's your favorite myth or story from folklore? Go to the library or try an online search to find lots more, from just about everywhere in the world.
