What do you think?
Rate this book
El Niño
An enthralling aquatic adventure rippling with mystery and magical realism from the beloved, New York Times bestselling author of Esperanza Rising and Echo. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Tae Keller, Jacqueline Woodson, and Meg Medina.
During a summer of El Niño weather conditions, Kai Sosa hopes to prove his swimming prowess on an elite invitational team. Once an up-and-coming athlete, he is determined to live up to his family's swimming legacy in a competition against the infamous Sea Wolves, even if he is the team's weakest link.
But recently, he's been haunted by puzzling dreams where he sees his dead sister, Cali, swimming in the Pacific Ocean with dolphins. When he wakes, it's hard to hold back the dam of feeling he's been working so hard to contain. He becomes convinced Cali's sending him a message about her last request-to find a beloved gold cuff that went missing.
When Kai finally finds the elusive bracelet, it leads him to the local library-and a book Cali had checked out multiple times about a mythic mermalien queen of the same name, who once ruled over an underwater realm. Then, while surfing, Kai encounters an unusual sea-creature, as big as he, with long black hair and a fluked tail. Could it be the creature from the myth, or are Kai's mind and the sea playing tricks? In a climactic head-to-head face-off with the Sea Wolves, everything becomes clear as Kai tests his strength, unleashes the dam, and discovers that sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let it go.
During a summer of El Niño weather conditions, Kai Sosa hopes to prove his swimming prowess on an elite invitational team. Once an up-and-coming athlete, he is determined to live up to his family's swimming legacy in a competition against the infamous Sea Wolves, even if he is the team's weakest link.
But recently, he's been haunted by puzzling dreams where he sees his dead sister, Cali, swimming in the Pacific Ocean with dolphins. When he wakes, it's hard to hold back the dam of feeling he's been working so hard to contain. He becomes convinced Cali's sending him a message about her last request-to find a beloved gold cuff that went missing.
When Kai finally finds the elusive bracelet, it leads him to the local library-and a book Cali had checked out multiple times about a mythic mermalien queen of the same name, who once ruled over an underwater realm. Then, while surfing, Kai encounters an unusual sea-creature, as big as he, with long black hair and a fluked tail. Could it be the creature from the myth, or are Kai's mind and the sea playing tricks? In a climactic head-to-head face-off with the Sea Wolves, everything becomes clear as Kai tests his strength, unleashes the dam, and discovers that sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let it go.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
28 people are currently reading
3807 people want to read
About the author
Pam Muñoz Ryan
81 books1,663 followersPam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, ECHO, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She the author recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré medal, the PEN USA award, and many others. Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from San Diego State University and lives in north San Diego county with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
April 19, 2025
A cute middle grade mythology read pertaining to Kai losing his sister Cali two years ago while she was out on the ocean. Her board was found, she was not. Since then Kai has been on edge. His swimming is not up to par and he's fearing that he will lose his spot on the 8th grade swimming team. The team goes out on the ocean for swimming one day, where Kai seems to think he's discovered his sister has become the legendary Queen Califia that was a mythical character in a book the Cali has stashed in her room and loved dearly.
Will his family stick with him on what he saw, will his teammates? Will he be able to pull himself back to himself? It is cute read and should be loved by both children and adults.
Thank you Young Adult Books Central for the opportunity to read the book through NetGalley.
Will his family stick with him on what he saw, will his teammates? Will he be able to pull himself back to himself? It is cute read and should be loved by both children and adults.
Thank you Young Adult Books Central for the opportunity to read the book through NetGalley.
May 10, 2025
I'm a little torn on this book. I think I definitely preferred the contemporary realistic storyline to the fantastical one, which I felt was a little underdeveloped in terms of its true connection to Kai's "real" life. And on that subject, I wasn't really sure if the reader was supposed to believe the mythological story as true and actually happening - or something Kai's hurting heart created to ease his grief. I guess it could be a bit of both, or something the author wants readers to decide for themselves. That sometimes works for me as a reader, but here it didn't quite.
I did really enjoy the setting, characters and ocean facts. The swim team gelling as they did was also heartwarming.
I did really enjoy the setting, characters and ocean facts. The swim team gelling as they did was also heartwarming.
May 5, 2025
This story captivated me and kept me reading all Sunday afternoon without pause. While the story itself was heartbreaking and difficult to read, there was closure and a sense of being able to move beyond the grief. Beautiful and hopeful.
May 12, 2025
Sweet read!!
October 21, 2025
To me, this was all over the place.
I like the main story of the boy dealing with his grief over his sister's death.
And him, trying to get back to the speeds that he used to have as a swimmer before she passed. But then there's so much else the fantastical elements just didn't flow for me. The cuff Was kind of a side plot that wasn't really needed?
And then the title, no idea why it's called that. there's a storm at the end. But it has no meaning to the story. So confused. a decent book, but I think it just needed to deal with that main story, and not have some side plots that didn't make sense to me. Just my opinion.
I like the main story of the boy dealing with his grief over his sister's death.
And him, trying to get back to the speeds that he used to have as a swimmer before she passed. But then there's so much else the fantastical elements just didn't flow for me. The cuff Was kind of a side plot that wasn't really needed?
And then the title, no idea why it's called that. there's a storm at the end. But it has no meaning to the story. So confused. a decent book, but I think it just needed to deal with that main story, and not have some side plots that didn't make sense to me. Just my opinion.
September 1, 2025
This book has a special connection: 2 Pura belpre winners year I was on committee author & illustrator (Esperanza Rising & Juan Bobo)
Beginning folktale of California as an island and Amazonian queen
Kai on swim team
Cali older sister who went missing/died 2 years ago
El Niño warm waters bring strange creatures, not native to that area, to the shore
Folktale book Cali was reading mermaliens with blue print just like this book
Kai dealing with grief, swimming competition legacy, teammates, magical realism/folktale of lost island of California. Great author note on book’s inspirations.
Beginning folktale of California as an island and Amazonian queen
Kai on swim team
Cali older sister who went missing/died 2 years ago
El Niño warm waters bring strange creatures, not native to that area, to the shore
Folktale book Cali was reading mermaliens with blue print just like this book
Kai dealing with grief, swimming competition legacy, teammates, magical realism/folktale of lost island of California. Great author note on book’s inspirations.
August 25, 2025
(3.25/5) MMC is a competitive swimmer in Southern California; the rival team is the San Marcos Sea Wolves. Couldn’t have dreamt it any other way. Will be reading it in Spanish in the future.
May 29, 2025
I love Pam Ryan's books. Magical realism, grief, loss, hope... beautiful story.
May 22, 2025
Original story woven into a real world setting where a family grieves the loss of a beloved sister and daughter in a mysterious surfing accident. Interesting concept that I found a wee bit confusing. I gave up on the written book and listened to the audio which was really well done with new reporting voices and ocean sound effects. Although it was not my cup of tea, I think kids will like it.
Pam Munoz Ryan is one of my favorite middle grade novelist. I will continue to read all her books. Echo is my very favorite.
Pam Munoz Ryan is one of my favorite middle grade novelist. I will continue to read all her books. Echo is my very favorite.
July 5, 2025
This sort of thing has been tried before. I preferred Amber McBride’s Gone Wolf from 2023 (though perhaps it had similar issues) and especially The Lost Library (also ‘23) by Stead and Mass.
August 1, 2025
It's been two years since sixteen year old Cali disappeared while surfing and her family is still mourning her loss. Cali was a dynamic personality who was very close to her brother, Kai, an eighth grader. It looked like Kai was going to be a successful competitive swimmer like Cali, yet he hasn't been able to progress because of his grief. Then he finds a book that Cali was obsessively reading. It's about a mythical island that sank into the Pacific Ocean and the inhabitants learned to live underwater as mermaliens. Kai makes a connection between this island, Cali’s disappearance, and an underwater kingdom which guards the Library of Despair and Sorrow. Ryan is a powerful storyteller and she does a compelling job telling Kai’s story of dealing with swimming competitions, looking for Cali's lost golden cuff, and his relationship with family and friends. It’s the underwater world where Cali is a queen protecting the Library of Despair and Sorrow that feels rushed and unfinished. Kai eventually comes to terms with losing Cali because he believes she is living in an underwater kingdom. This is an interesting story, but I'm not sure what really happened. Did Kai ever come to terms with loss and death? Maybe. This will be an unsatisfying story for readers who want realistic endings, but readers who appreciate magical realism will find much to ponder.
March 13, 2025
Wonderful middle grade title filled with a strong storyline based on mythology but also firmly grounded in a realistic look at loss and recovery with swimming linking the two. Pam Munoz Ryan, author of award-winning middle grade titles Echo and Esperanza Rising and picture book When Marion Sang, has been recognized for her tremendous body of work and this one stands strong among her previous titles.
Kai is a rising 8th grade student who is finally taking his place on the same prestigious swim team as his sister who disappeared while surfing a year earlier. The family, mom, dad, younger sister Abby and Kai, are all still struggling with Cali’s likely death and in very different ways. Kai’s swim times are floundering, Abby creates memorials with pictures and shells, mom reduced her work hours at the time of the disappearance and never returned to full time, and dad will not take part in anything connected to swimming although he previously was highly involved in his kids’ training. Then Kai becomes aware of certain mythology surrounding a kingdom of “mermaliens,” transformed humans who live on a hidden and submerged island of great riches and a library of protected and sorrowful memories of generations of people. An open ocean swim leads him to that kingdom where he finds Cali reigning as queen and fighting to protect the library against a rival group of undersea beings, Los Lobos, who aim to take both riches and the many memories in order to achieve a position of power in the world. To avert disaster, Kai must recover Cali’s heirloom cuff, her source of power, from Los Lobos and return it to the keepers of the library. Or, maybe all his reading about this particular mythology, important to Cali, and his failure to recover lost Cali’s bracelet, a concussion stemming from the open ocean swim practice and grief led to a fantasy that helped him deal with his unresolved feelings over the loss of his sister???? Readers will have to make their own decision, but I loved this one and am happy to go either way!
Ryan keeps her text free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Target audience is grades 5-7, with strong 4th grade readers also likely to enjoy this one if its 256 pages are not too daunting.
Thanks for the electronic arc, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
Kai is a rising 8th grade student who is finally taking his place on the same prestigious swim team as his sister who disappeared while surfing a year earlier. The family, mom, dad, younger sister Abby and Kai, are all still struggling with Cali’s likely death and in very different ways. Kai’s swim times are floundering, Abby creates memorials with pictures and shells, mom reduced her work hours at the time of the disappearance and never returned to full time, and dad will not take part in anything connected to swimming although he previously was highly involved in his kids’ training. Then Kai becomes aware of certain mythology surrounding a kingdom of “mermaliens,” transformed humans who live on a hidden and submerged island of great riches and a library of protected and sorrowful memories of generations of people. An open ocean swim leads him to that kingdom where he finds Cali reigning as queen and fighting to protect the library against a rival group of undersea beings, Los Lobos, who aim to take both riches and the many memories in order to achieve a position of power in the world. To avert disaster, Kai must recover Cali’s heirloom cuff, her source of power, from Los Lobos and return it to the keepers of the library. Or, maybe all his reading about this particular mythology, important to Cali, and his failure to recover lost Cali’s bracelet, a concussion stemming from the open ocean swim practice and grief led to a fantasy that helped him deal with his unresolved feelings over the loss of his sister???? Readers will have to make their own decision, but I loved this one and am happy to go either way!
Ryan keeps her text free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Target audience is grades 5-7, with strong 4th grade readers also likely to enjoy this one if its 256 pages are not too daunting.
Thanks for the electronic arc, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
June 5, 2025
“Welcome to the wide open beautiful.”
🏝️
Kai Sosa comes from a long line of professional swimmers and this is his summer to prove he can pass muster. Unfortunately he doesn’t feel like he’s as good as his sister, Cali, who passed away two years ago. When Kai sees a mysterious sea creature that he believes to be his sister, he investigates underwater to a realm where a mythic Amazonian queen once ruled. Caught between two worlds Kai must learn to let go of the past and move into his future.
👑
This was a sweet and moving MG cli-fi magical realism story. You can’t help for root for Kai. Like most of Ryan’s books this one is filled with grief, loss and ultimately, hope.
CW: death of a sibling, grief, climate issues, concussion
🏝️
Kai Sosa comes from a long line of professional swimmers and this is his summer to prove he can pass muster. Unfortunately he doesn’t feel like he’s as good as his sister, Cali, who passed away two years ago. When Kai sees a mysterious sea creature that he believes to be his sister, he investigates underwater to a realm where a mythic Amazonian queen once ruled. Caught between two worlds Kai must learn to let go of the past and move into his future.
👑
This was a sweet and moving MG cli-fi magical realism story. You can’t help for root for Kai. Like most of Ryan’s books this one is filled with grief, loss and ultimately, hope.
CW: death of a sibling, grief, climate issues, concussion
January 1, 2025
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central
It has been two years since Kai Sosa's older sister Cali was lost at sea while surfing during a rogue fog, and even though he feels that everyone expects him to be back to normal, he's not. He still thinks about his sister, and even thinks he sees or hears her when he is near the ocean. He's also having trouble getting back into swimming. He and his friend, Spinner, are picked for an elite team by Coach Dominie, but Kai's times don't seem to improve no matter how hard he works. His parents, who had him talk to a school counselor for a bit, seem to be doing okay, although 8 year old sister Abby still talks about Cali. Neighbor Ray, whose grandson Aaron was a friend of Cali's, seems to understand where Kai is. While working hard to practice and make connections with his teammates, Kai also becomes absorbed by a book he finds in Cali's swim bag, telling the story of Queen Califia and he underwater realm, and thinks that it holds clues to a missing gold cuff bracelet that Cali wanted his assistance to find. The coaches are very demanding, and the parents even meet to discuss if new coaches should be found, but ultimately, the team tries to embrace the "one pod" philosophy. While on an open water swim, which is frightening to some of the team because of what happened to Cali, Kai hits his head and hallucinates that he and his teammates visit Cali in an underwater kingdom, where she gives them clues to help find the bracelet. Kai also has to deal with seeing a dolphin, whom Cali had named Luna, who shows up with a calf who later dies. Will Kai and his family be able to process their emotions and make enough peace with Cali's loss to honor her legacy?
Ryan does a great job at addressing Latine history and concerns, and El Niño also bears some semblance to her epic Echo and Mañanaland in its exploration of folklore. Cepeda's illustrations (not all of which appeared in the advanced copy), text in blue ink, and intricate designs on the side of the pages of Queen Califia's story all add to the fairy tale feel of this novel.
This will appeal to readers who want tales of swimming, like Binn's Courage, Morrison's Up For Air, and Mendez' Aniana del Mar Jumps In, and the cover reminds me strongly of George's Shark Beneath the Reef, a 1989 title that also had a Latine main character Tomás Torres, although George herself was not Latine. It is also has themes of processing grief similar to Faruqi's Call Me Adnan or Morris and Brown's Willa and the Whale.
While much of the story centers around Kai's processing of what happened to his sister, his struggles with getting better times and staying on the swim team address concerns that many middle grade readers have and keep the pace of the story lively. The coaches somewhat outrageous training methods add a bit of humor, and Kai's teammates react to him in realistic ways. Spinner is an especially great character, and I enjoyed seeing how Kai interacted with Abby. The fact that the mother paid for Cali's library book after her death was a nice touch and a departure from the middle grade trope of showing grieving parents as unable to cope.
Ryan's books are lyrical, heart print tales that are as close as middle grade books come to literary fiction, which is evident in the number of awards her writing has accrued. El Niño is a swimmingly good tale for readers who want to immerse themselves in the story of Queen Califia and join Kai as he uses the tale to navigate his way forward after his sister's death.
It has been two years since Kai Sosa's older sister Cali was lost at sea while surfing during a rogue fog, and even though he feels that everyone expects him to be back to normal, he's not. He still thinks about his sister, and even thinks he sees or hears her when he is near the ocean. He's also having trouble getting back into swimming. He and his friend, Spinner, are picked for an elite team by Coach Dominie, but Kai's times don't seem to improve no matter how hard he works. His parents, who had him talk to a school counselor for a bit, seem to be doing okay, although 8 year old sister Abby still talks about Cali. Neighbor Ray, whose grandson Aaron was a friend of Cali's, seems to understand where Kai is. While working hard to practice and make connections with his teammates, Kai also becomes absorbed by a book he finds in Cali's swim bag, telling the story of Queen Califia and he underwater realm, and thinks that it holds clues to a missing gold cuff bracelet that Cali wanted his assistance to find. The coaches are very demanding, and the parents even meet to discuss if new coaches should be found, but ultimately, the team tries to embrace the "one pod" philosophy. While on an open water swim, which is frightening to some of the team because of what happened to Cali, Kai hits his head and hallucinates that he and his teammates visit Cali in an underwater kingdom, where she gives them clues to help find the bracelet. Kai also has to deal with seeing a dolphin, whom Cali had named Luna, who shows up with a calf who later dies. Will Kai and his family be able to process their emotions and make enough peace with Cali's loss to honor her legacy?
Ryan does a great job at addressing Latine history and concerns, and El Niño also bears some semblance to her epic Echo and Mañanaland in its exploration of folklore. Cepeda's illustrations (not all of which appeared in the advanced copy), text in blue ink, and intricate designs on the side of the pages of Queen Califia's story all add to the fairy tale feel of this novel.
This will appeal to readers who want tales of swimming, like Binn's Courage, Morrison's Up For Air, and Mendez' Aniana del Mar Jumps In, and the cover reminds me strongly of George's Shark Beneath the Reef, a 1989 title that also had a Latine main character Tomás Torres, although George herself was not Latine. It is also has themes of processing grief similar to Faruqi's Call Me Adnan or Morris and Brown's Willa and the Whale.
While much of the story centers around Kai's processing of what happened to his sister, his struggles with getting better times and staying on the swim team address concerns that many middle grade readers have and keep the pace of the story lively. The coaches somewhat outrageous training methods add a bit of humor, and Kai's teammates react to him in realistic ways. Spinner is an especially great character, and I enjoyed seeing how Kai interacted with Abby. The fact that the mother paid for Cali's library book after her death was a nice touch and a departure from the middle grade trope of showing grieving parents as unable to cope.
Ryan's books are lyrical, heart print tales that are as close as middle grade books come to literary fiction, which is evident in the number of awards her writing has accrued. El Niño is a swimmingly good tale for readers who want to immerse themselves in the story of Queen Califia and join Kai as he uses the tale to navigate his way forward after his sister's death.
September 22, 2025
A fable of “the isle of women” engages readers of various ages and interests based on stories about explorers, sailors, fortune hunters, and ordinary people. Indulge your imagination with mystical marine life and the trials and tribulations of competing on a high school swim team. Kai Sosa desires to prove himself worthy of his family’s swimming records and accolades.
Kai’s nightmares are influenced by the haunting memories of his lost sister Cali. Sleepwalking, Kai imagines his dead sister swimming with dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. Despite unexplained weather fluctuations, warming waters, rogue fog, rock towers, strange creatures, and interesting sea animals, Kai searches for answers. When he uncovers a library book Cali read several times, he learns about a mysterious place called the Library of Despair and Sorrow.
Puzzled, Kai searches for one of Cali’s missing protective gold cuffs, an heirloom symbolic of her strength. Kai’s supportive parents, younger sister, and teammates focused on “the pod is one,” and other dolphin beliefs and behaviors. Imagine communicating with a friendly dolphin, Luna and her calf, then hearing Cali’s lingering spirits. El Niño’s ferocity storms and alters his “understanding of love, death, grief, and how best to honor those we have lost.” Kai, his family, and teammates unite cherishing Cali’s athletic prowess in the pool and in the Pacific.
If you are intrigued by surfing, fantasy, magic, fables, myths, realistic sports, and family sacrifice, read El Niño. Tweens, teens, and adults will find tales of magnificent marine life woven with imagery, metaphors, and harmony refreshing. Praise to Ryan for treasuring dreams, reality, and relationships and Cepeda for illustrations inspiring imagination.
Kai’s nightmares are influenced by the haunting memories of his lost sister Cali. Sleepwalking, Kai imagines his dead sister swimming with dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. Despite unexplained weather fluctuations, warming waters, rogue fog, rock towers, strange creatures, and interesting sea animals, Kai searches for answers. When he uncovers a library book Cali read several times, he learns about a mysterious place called the Library of Despair and Sorrow.
Puzzled, Kai searches for one of Cali’s missing protective gold cuffs, an heirloom symbolic of her strength. Kai’s supportive parents, younger sister, and teammates focused on “the pod is one,” and other dolphin beliefs and behaviors. Imagine communicating with a friendly dolphin, Luna and her calf, then hearing Cali’s lingering spirits. El Niño’s ferocity storms and alters his “understanding of love, death, grief, and how best to honor those we have lost.” Kai, his family, and teammates unite cherishing Cali’s athletic prowess in the pool and in the Pacific.
If you are intrigued by surfing, fantasy, magic, fables, myths, realistic sports, and family sacrifice, read El Niño. Tweens, teens, and adults will find tales of magnificent marine life woven with imagery, metaphors, and harmony refreshing. Praise to Ryan for treasuring dreams, reality, and relationships and Cepeda for illustrations inspiring imagination.
June 24, 2025
Another fantastic bookish serendipity selection from brown bagged ARC pile at my local indie.
This is the story of Kai, a talented swimmer struggling with the weight of expectations and grief from losing his beloved older sister. The Sosa family is a family of talented swimmers. Cali was a talented swimmer with a bright future ahead of her. Everyone is still reeling ~ 2 years after her disappearance/presumed death. Kai still loves swimming but isn't meeting his times and faces potentially being demoted from his competitive swim team.
Told from Kai's perspective. Yay, for limited perspectives! Kai's challenges with grief are obvious. He has troubles sleeping, sleep walks and struggles with swimming. The challenges the other members of the family are facing are hinted at. Mr. Sosa, is no longer interested in coaching swimming. Which does leave Kai a little bit adrift.
Kai finds a book of his sister's about a goddess named Cali. when strange things start to happen in the water and his new swim coaches lecture about some of these things....Kai begins to wonder. Is Cali in some other world? Is there a magical world that helps keep his real world safe?
Fantastic summer vibes with beach scenes and swimming school. elements of friendship and teamwork. A great book that isn't too heavy if young readers need something to help them while exploring their own grief. Loved the adventure component that allows readers to decide if they think the magical elements are real or just a coping mechanism.
enjoyable read that I would recommend.
This is the story of Kai, a talented swimmer struggling with the weight of expectations and grief from losing his beloved older sister. The Sosa family is a family of talented swimmers. Cali was a talented swimmer with a bright future ahead of her. Everyone is still reeling ~ 2 years after her disappearance/presumed death. Kai still loves swimming but isn't meeting his times and faces potentially being demoted from his competitive swim team.
Told from Kai's perspective. Yay, for limited perspectives! Kai's challenges with grief are obvious. He has troubles sleeping, sleep walks and struggles with swimming. The challenges the other members of the family are facing are hinted at. Mr. Sosa, is no longer interested in coaching swimming. Which does leave Kai a little bit adrift.
Kai finds a book of his sister's about a goddess named Cali. when strange things start to happen in the water and his new swim coaches lecture about some of these things....Kai begins to wonder. Is Cali in some other world? Is there a magical world that helps keep his real world safe?
Fantastic summer vibes with beach scenes and swimming school. elements of friendship and teamwork. A great book that isn't too heavy if young readers need something to help them while exploring their own grief. Loved the adventure component that allows readers to decide if they think the magical elements are real or just a coping mechanism.
enjoyable read that I would recommend.
November 16, 2025
📚 El Niño by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a #2025NewRelease and a #NewberyContenderChallenge pick hosted by Patti @mamadaughterbookclub. It’s the perfect summer read — especially if you're into stories with swimming, family bonds, and a touch of magical realism. 🏊♂️✨
This is actually the second book I’ve read this summer about competitive swimming, and it didn’t disappoint!
Kai Sosa comes from a family of swimmers — his sister Cali was a star, and his dad was too. When Kai is invited to join an elite summer swim team, the pressure is on. But the weight he carries isn’t just athletic — it’s emotional. He’s still grieving the loss of Cali, who died two years earlier. Her missing gold cuff and a mysterious book she kept checking out from the library lead Kai on a journey that blends memory, magic, and healing.
As Kai trains, he begins to dream of a mythical underwater realm where dolphins and sea creatures gather — a world that just might hold the key to understanding his grief and finding peace.
This is a thoughtful, beautifully written story about loss, resilience, and the power of connection — both in and out of the water. I’d call it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
This is actually the second book I’ve read this summer about competitive swimming, and it didn’t disappoint!
Kai Sosa comes from a family of swimmers — his sister Cali was a star, and his dad was too. When Kai is invited to join an elite summer swim team, the pressure is on. But the weight he carries isn’t just athletic — it’s emotional. He’s still grieving the loss of Cali, who died two years earlier. Her missing gold cuff and a mysterious book she kept checking out from the library lead Kai on a journey that blends memory, magic, and healing.
As Kai trains, he begins to dream of a mythical underwater realm where dolphins and sea creatures gather — a world that just might hold the key to understanding his grief and finding peace.
This is a thoughtful, beautifully written story about loss, resilience, and the power of connection — both in and out of the water. I’d call it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
October 23, 2025
thank you so much to scholastic for sending me a copy!! all opinions are my own!
this was so cute and i LOVED how it's based in both a weather fenomenon and a legend about a mythical while talking about grief and trying to move on when you've lost someone special to you. i loved the fact that it was middle grade, yet sometimes i felt the writing was too easy but maybe that's because i don't read as much and it's supposed to be easier for young people to understand 🤔 i could see the plot twists from a mile away but i didn't mind because it was really entertaining to read how the MC realized so many things by himself. i didn't mind the fragments of the mythical story because they added the much needed element for us to understand. and the drawings are TOP, i really love the artist and i hope they get more jobs from now onw!
it was a nice story to conmemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and i'm so glad to have read another middle grade i can recommend 😍
this was so cute and i LOVED how it's based in both a weather fenomenon and a legend about a mythical while talking about grief and trying to move on when you've lost someone special to you. i loved the fact that it was middle grade, yet sometimes i felt the writing was too easy but maybe that's because i don't read as much and it's supposed to be easier for young people to understand 🤔 i could see the plot twists from a mile away but i didn't mind because it was really entertaining to read how the MC realized so many things by himself. i didn't mind the fragments of the mythical story because they added the much needed element for us to understand. and the drawings are TOP, i really love the artist and i hope they get more jobs from now onw!
it was a nice story to conmemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and i'm so glad to have read another middle grade i can recommend 😍
November 18, 2025
I listened to the audiobook, which was very well done. Great narration and excellent background music and sound effects. The print book is also very cool, with detailed illustrations and ocean-blue text.
I think I underestimated the complexity of the story and so was taken aback when it wasn't clear to me if the fantasy part of the story was "real" or just in Kai's imagination. Maybe that's the point. I found it a little unsatisfying because I was hoping that it would be more like PMR's Echo where magic and history come together. In the end, this is more of a story about grieving than a fantasy adventure.
I think the parts of the story about competitive swimming will appeal to athletes, though I was more interested in the legend of Califia.
I think I underestimated the complexity of the story and so was taken aback when it wasn't clear to me if the fantasy part of the story was "real" or just in Kai's imagination. Maybe that's the point. I found it a little unsatisfying because I was hoping that it would be more like PMR's Echo where magic and history come together. In the end, this is more of a story about grieving than a fantasy adventure.
I think the parts of the story about competitive swimming will appeal to athletes, though I was more interested in the legend of Califia.
January 12, 2026
Blending magical realism with a story about grief, loss, and depression, Pam Munoz Ryan creates a likeable character in Kai Sosa, who continues to mourn the loss of his beloved older sister, Cali. After she disappeared two years ago while surfing, Kai's competitive swimming times have decreased, and he's uncertain about how to improve. When he finds a library book that Cali checked out numerous times and never returned, he's intrigued by its contents, especially when some of the elements in the book seem too close for comfort. (I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling this one for others, who might comfort in its ending, but I will say I love the idea of the Library of Despair and Sorrow that is described here.) Parts of the plot seemed far-fetched, but fans of this author will be willing to let those go as they get swept up in Kai's story and maybe wish that it could all be true.
November 27, 2024
Another fabulous novel from Pam Muñoz Ryan, tying together climate change in Southern California with the mythological stories of the Island of California.
Kai is still mourning the loss of his older sister Cali two years before. Since she disappeared in the ocean and was declared dead, he lost his competitive swimming edge and his father/coach has withdrawn into himself. Kai gets a spot on Cali's former swim league team but finds the coaches techniques very unusual. He starts to wonder if both the coaches and an old library book he found in Cali's room about Queen Califia and a mythic underwater realm have something to do with Cali's disappearance. Could this sunken island off the coast of California really exist? An exciting adventure about love and loss. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
ARC provided by publisher
Kai is still mourning the loss of his older sister Cali two years before. Since she disappeared in the ocean and was declared dead, he lost his competitive swimming edge and his father/coach has withdrawn into himself. Kai gets a spot on Cali's former swim league team but finds the coaches techniques very unusual. He starts to wonder if both the coaches and an old library book he found in Cali's room about Queen Califia and a mythic underwater realm have something to do with Cali's disappearance. Could this sunken island off the coast of California really exist? An exciting adventure about love and loss. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
ARC provided by publisher
July 25, 2025
What a perfect read for J this summer. He had the pleasure of meeting the author in person at our local bookshop this past spring after having read Esperanza Rising for 5th grade class. So many elements of this story relate to his life. One of his older sisters “missing” (gone to live at a science and math school this past year) and they are exact years apart as Kai and Cali. They also communicate and connect through shared books. There was a huge storm flood in our area. J is on the swim team and his older sister is a HUGE support as she is captain of her swim team. He is super into magical realism. The turn this story took showing Kai’s capacity for empathy with a dolphin mother about took me out. I am so grateful for the right time this book came into our lives and having read it when J’s the same age as the protagonist ❤️
January 10, 2026
Kai has lived with the grief of his sister Cali's death for two years and it seems that his grief has also prevented him from continuing as a rising star in the world of competitive swimming. When Kai is chosen for an invitation-only swim team, he hopes he can return to the glorious times of his previous swim career. However, his new coaches are really odd, with their emphasis on ocean ecology and the team being a pod. Combine that with the find of an overdue library book, a missing gold cuff, and the legend of California, and there is the making of a lyrical book that merges stories until the reader is not sure about what the true story might be and what might be myth. This book was much different from what I thought it would be at the outset. I enjoyed reading it, and wonder if there might possibly be a sequel
February 10, 2025
“Unbeknown to most, the island's greatest treasure was a closely held secret, far more valuable than gold: priceless offerings from humankind—pearls of emotion relinquished to the islanders' care during the most heart-rending circumstances. These feelings were stored in countless tiny shells, each one closed tight like hands cupped in prayer. Every cockle was swaddled, cradled, and tenderly archived within a mysterious edifice-the Library of Despair and Sorrow.
The library—a safe harbor for sadness-could never be left unattended. For if the library was ever threatened or breached, and the contents released en masse, an avalanche of anguish would descend upon the
earth.
Imagine the torment.”
The library—a safe harbor for sadness-could never be left unattended. For if the library was ever threatened or breached, and the contents released en masse, an avalanche of anguish would descend upon the
earth.
Imagine the torment.”
March 20, 2025
Special thanks to Pam Muñoz Ryan, Scholastic Press, and The North Texas Teen Book Fair for giving me an Arc of this book!
This book had a very unique way of portraying grief. I loved the message of seeking help for mental health! I also loved the scenes with Cali's Realm and all the research that went into the story!
My favorite quote: "Fear Is technically the excitement before triumph[.]" Pg. 133
3/1/25 I got to meet the author! She signed Echo and gave me this book! We took pictures and she gave me a signed poster of her first book! She was very kind and passionate about her work!
If you liked this book, then I suggest:
Echo by this author
The Aquamarine Surfboard
Challenger Deep
The Willow Falls series
Confetti Girl
Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel
Umbrella Summer
My Life in Pink & Green
Kiki's Delivery Service
This book had a very unique way of portraying grief. I loved the message of seeking help for mental health! I also loved the scenes with Cali's Realm and all the research that went into the story!
My favorite quote: "Fear Is technically the excitement before triumph[.]" Pg. 133
3/1/25 I got to meet the author! She signed Echo and gave me this book! We took pictures and she gave me a signed poster of her first book! She was very kind and passionate about her work!
If you liked this book, then I suggest:
Echo by this author
The Aquamarine Surfboard
Challenger Deep
The Willow Falls series
Confetti Girl
Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel
Umbrella Summer
My Life in Pink & Green
Kiki's Delivery Service
April 6, 2025
Kai is still grieving over the loss of his sister, Cali, two years after she disappears while surfing. Although he makes it onto the town’s prestigious swim team, his times suffer and as hard as he tries he can’t get into the groove. Then one day while swimming in the ocean he enters a magical underwater kingdom ruled by a queen who looks exactly like his sister and he is told it is up to him to protect the kingdom from Los Lobos, the evil underwater villains determined to defeat the kingdom. Ryan has done a fantastic job of melding realistic fiction with a bit of magic realism and mythology, resulting in a middle grade read that should be on everyone’s list. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2025
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Scholastic. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Magical Realism, Latine History, Mythology
EL NIÑO is what I call a "sad book"—because it's helping kids process emotions about big events. In this case, Kai has lost his sister and is figuring out his life after this tragedy.
I like how the magical realism is added into this book. It makes it more approachable and hopeful. I also like how Ryan gives us more insight into Latina culture. There are also some light-hearted moments to give the book balance.
Kids who want a lot of realism in their books will like this, and the kids who like fantasy will also be satisfied.
I hope you enjoy it too.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Magical Realism, Latine History, Mythology
EL NIÑO is what I call a "sad book"—because it's helping kids process emotions about big events. In this case, Kai has lost his sister and is figuring out his life after this tragedy.
I like how the magical realism is added into this book. It makes it more approachable and hopeful. I also like how Ryan gives us more insight into Latina culture. There are also some light-hearted moments to give the book balance.
Kids who want a lot of realism in their books will like this, and the kids who like fantasy will also be satisfied.
I hope you enjoy it too.
May 6, 2025
Another amazing story from Pam Munoz Ryan!! She has an amazing gift of mixing real life and mythology to tell the story of Kai and how he deals with the loss of his sister. Two years ago Kai's sister disappeared in the ocean. Dealing with her loss, Kai struggles to follow his dream of competative swimming.
As with her other stories, Pam Munoz Ryan has a delicate yet honest way of dealing with heavy topics. My heart was broken and healed with Kai's story. I am in aw of how she writes with brutal honesty and a super gentle touch.
This is a great fit starting with upper 4th graders. I have added to my library for 6th and 7th graders, and there is a line to borrow it!!! I feel that 8th graders would relate since Kai is going into the 8th grade.
As with her other stories, Pam Munoz Ryan has a delicate yet honest way of dealing with heavy topics. My heart was broken and healed with Kai's story. I am in aw of how she writes with brutal honesty and a super gentle touch.
This is a great fit starting with upper 4th graders. I have added to my library for 6th and 7th graders, and there is a line to borrow it!!! I feel that 8th graders would relate since Kai is going into the 8th grade.
August 5, 2025
Children’s/MG
Fantasy/Magical realism
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Kai Sosa comes from a family of competitive swimmers living in Southern Cali and has taken up the torch left by his older sister, Cora, after she goes missing in the sea while trying to help an injured dolphin but Kai is having a hard time keeping up. Then he sees a mysterious sea creature that looks like his sister in the sea and finds himself in an underwater realm!
This is such a lovely book, with beautiful blue ink text and illustrations, and is a perfect summer read and/or the perfect gift for your mermaid/mermen lovers! A heartwarming story that focuses on grief, mixed with a weather phenomenon and a little bit of underwater magic!
Fantasy/Magical realism
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Kai Sosa comes from a family of competitive swimmers living in Southern Cali and has taken up the torch left by his older sister, Cora, after she goes missing in the sea while trying to help an injured dolphin but Kai is having a hard time keeping up. Then he sees a mysterious sea creature that looks like his sister in the sea and finds himself in an underwater realm!
This is such a lovely book, with beautiful blue ink text and illustrations, and is a perfect summer read and/or the perfect gift for your mermaid/mermen lovers! A heartwarming story that focuses on grief, mixed with a weather phenomenon and a little bit of underwater magic!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews