LA MALA SUERTE IS FOLLOWING ME

Misfortune follows when La Mala Suerte comes into Miguel’s life.

Once the “luckiest boy in town,” Miguel invites La Mala Suerte by opening his umbrella inside the house. Abuelita cautions Miguel that Mrs. Bad Luck—cheekily depicted here as a grinning shadow—is “invisible and follows you wherever you go.” The young soccer player brushes off her warning but subsequently slips and falls as he attempts to outrun his bad luck. Uh-oh. And at school, La Mala Suerte trips him up during a math exam and fútbol practice. ¡Ay, no! Miguel tries everything to get rid of his bad luck before his upcoming soccer tournament, including sweeping away the bad luck, seeking a four-leaf clover, and using his tía’s “existential” oils. Nothing works until Mami encourages him to make his own luck. Can it really be that easy? Written in first person from Miguel’s perspective, Siqueira’s humorous take on superstitions balances zaniness and sincerity with ease, complemented by Aguilera’s vibrant, expressive artwork. The text incorporates Spanish words throughout. An appendix on common superstitions and their origins in different countries provides intriguing background information, with a brief activity and research prompt. Miguel and his family are brown-skinned and Latine, while secondary characters are racially diverse.

Good, clean superstitious fun.