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Lola

By Karla Arenas Valenti
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Brief Description
A simmering tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who'd journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. From the acclaimed author of Loteria comes a heartfelt story rooted in Mexican magical realism. A Pura Belpré Author... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3500

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"Determined to save her brother from the Darkness that plagues their home, ten-year-old Lola follows mythical chaneques into a secret world where she seeks help from the queen"--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A simmering tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who'd journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. From the acclaimed author of Loteria comes a heartfelt story rooted in Mexican magical realism.

A Pura Belpré Author Winner. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year.

Ten-year-old Lola has always been touched by magic. In her Mexico City home, built around a towering tree, she is accustomed to enchanted blooms that change with the seasons, a sandbox that spits out mysterious treasures, and mischievous chaneques that scuttle about unseen by all but her. Magic has always been a part of her life, but now she must embrace the extraordinary as never before.

Ever since The Thing That Happened, Lola's brother Alex has been sick. As his condition worsens, something begins eating away at the tree, causing its leaves and blossoms to crumble like ash. The two are related, Lola is sure of it, but how? Seeking a cure, she visits a grocery store oracle who bids her to follow the chaneques down one of their secret passages... into a hidden world.

Here in Floresta, a land of myths and monsters and marvels untold, lies the key to healing her brother. But the kingdom's young queen stands in the way. Lola must use her wits and face her deepest fears if there's any hope of saving Alex in time.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9798217123209

Publisher: Random House USA Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 March 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Random House USA Inc

Illustration: BLACK-AND-WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 350g

Pages: 272

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Karla Arenas Valenti Penguin Books

About the Author

Karla Arenas Valenti writes stories for and about kids, taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism and philosophical questions. Her storytelling is heavily influenced by her Mexican heritage and layered with ideas and concepts she's picked up in her many travels around the world. She is the recipient of the Pura Belpre Award, and her two middle grade novels Lola and Loteria have received a combined seven starred reviews. She currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books.

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