EL NIÑO

San Diego boy Kai Sosa’s older sister, Cali, was a championship swimmer; two years ago, she disappeared in a dense ocean fog and is presumed dead.

When Kai is recruited by Cali’s elite swim team, he faces the pressure of living up to her legacy while navigating his grief and struggling to reclaim his competitive edge in the sport. The coaches have an unorthodox approach that leaves Kai and his teammates questioning whether they’ll be ready to compete. Amid this turmoil, Kai discovers an overdue library book that Cali borrowed, The Elusive Island of California. It’s filled with lore about Queen Califia and a mythical submerged island. The book’s tales of gold, a Library of Despair and Sorrow, and a mysterious underwater realm strike an eerie chord with Kai. As vivid dreams and sleepwalking episodes draw him to the ocean, Mexican American Kai begins to wonder if the legendary island could actually exist and if the myths might hold clues to Cali’s disappearance. Blending the emotional depth of grief with the intrigue of mythology, Ryan’s story explores the intersection of family, resilience, and natural weather cycles in Southern California. The magic of the Califia legend is tempered by the reality of life after loss, and both aspects of the story are richly detailed. The navy blue font and Cepeda’s striking illustrations complement the uniquely beautiful story. (This review was updated for clarity.)

A compelling tale of love, loss, and myth.