THEA AND THE MISCHIEF MAKERS

After accidentally destroying the home of magical Filipino tricksters, Thea must find a way to make amends.

With her wins in Brazilian jujitsu, Thea Torres is finally the “popular sporty kid”—she’s even attending Junior Stunt Warrior summer camp with some of her cool new friends. But her self-image is threatened when she struggles with some of the obstacles and when Evan Rodriguez, a Mexican American friend from her old school who’s embarrassingly clumsy and geeky, shows up. Hoping to improve her skills, Thea decides to make a practice course in her backyard. Ignoring her father’s warnings about the goblinlike duwendes, Thea cuts a branch from the calamansi tree her late grandfather brought from the Philippines. That night, she’s awakened by a pair of angry duwendes who are tearing apart her room. Threatening to destroy her neighborhood next, they tell Thea she has to make a “true apology” within seven days: She must be sincere in her “words, heart, and offering.” As the damage escalates, Thea enlists Evan and her new friends to help. But the stresses of camp, saving her home, and keeping up her cool, fearless image might be too much. Infused with Filipino folklore and culture, this romp includes tricks, stunts, and an exploration of friendship. Thea’s struggles will resonate with many readers as she wrestles with her reputation, others’ expectations, and just being herself.

A heartfelt and fun-filled story full of action, adventure, and mischief.