by Kekla Magoon
First published 2024
Riley Halfmoon and Maya Dawn arrive in Urbanopolis to live with their activist grandmother. Riley, outgoing but missing her Muscogee family, expects instant friendship with her cousin. Maya, an introvert whose parents are stationed in Japan, craves solitude instead. At their new school, Maya finds her place in Robotics Club while Riley connects with the gymnastics team. Both cousins run for sixth-grade class president when they notice threats to their school's culture from a powerful hidden enemy. They discover they face opponents armed with money, power, and deception. The cousins abandon their competition and unite as superheroes instead. Riley brings her talent for understanding people. Maya contributes her skill with technology. Together, this dynamic pair works to protect their school and community. The story explores how family bonds strengthen through shared purpose and how young people can fight injustice when they combine their different strengths.
Genres: family, adventure, mystery, contemporary, young-adult, activism
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, superheroes
Setting: Japan, Muscogee, Urbanopolis
176 pages · Hardcover · Candlewick Press