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Cousins in the Time of Magic
Three cousins get transported back to 1862 to play an important role in the Battle of Puebla, the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo today, in this enchanting middle grade fantasy adventure.
History is alive with magic. That’s what zany Tía Xia is always telling cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy. Daredevil Jorge couldn’t be more different than his cousins: Camila is a dreamer who adores animals and Siggy is an aspiring influencer who has an exclusive party to attend. And their aunt has many secrets, including a mysterious diamond-encrusted sword that Jorge definitely wasn’t supposed to see.
But when the three stumble upon a time portal in their aunt’s yard, they are transported back to 1862, a past filled with wonders—and dangers. To return to the present, they must race to deliver the sword to General Ignacio Zaragoza in time for the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico: the foundation of the holiday Cinco de Mayo.
As their journey to Mexico takes them through the Civil War–era United States, the cousins see just how much US history has been shaped by Latine communities. They must find the power within themselves to make sure things happen as they’re supposed to, without altering the past.
History is alive with magic. That’s what zany Tía Xia is always telling cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy. Daredevil Jorge couldn’t be more different than his cousins: Camila is a dreamer who adores animals and Siggy is an aspiring influencer who has an exclusive party to attend. And their aunt has many secrets, including a mysterious diamond-encrusted sword that Jorge definitely wasn’t supposed to see.
But when the three stumble upon a time portal in their aunt’s yard, they are transported back to 1862, a past filled with wonders—and dangers. To return to the present, they must race to deliver the sword to General Ignacio Zaragoza in time for the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico: the foundation of the holiday Cinco de Mayo.
As their journey to Mexico takes them through the Civil War–era United States, the cousins see just how much US history has been shaped by Latine communities. They must find the power within themselves to make sure things happen as they’re supposed to, without altering the past.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 25, 2025
7 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 30, 2025
5/30/2025 3.5 stars rounded up.
Bear with me while I tell you an anecdote here. I used to work in some decently nice restaurants, and at one of them had a manager of Mexican descent who loathed Cinco de Mayo. According to him, it's a holiday made up by American beer companies that no one in Mexico actually celebrates. And don't even get him started on the conflation with Mexican Independence, lol.
So I admittedly came into this book -- and what reads like the start of a fresh new middle grade series -- with a bit of a weather eye for tone given that the original Cinco de Mayo plays a pivotal role in the plot. It was thus immensely gratifying to read Emma Otheguy's note towards the end that this occasion has primarily been celebrated by Latines in the United States to commemorate the Mexican victory against the French. Why? Because it ensured that the Confederacy would not gain a crucial ally on its southern border during the American Civil War. There's a whole bunch of other stuff involving the Monroe Doctrine, but the defeat of the French imperial forces at Pueblo ensured that democracy and liberty would continue to have a fighting chance in the Western Hemisphere.
Is that something I knew before reading this book? Heck no! Is it a darn good reason to celebrate? Absolutely! Does it one hundred percent explain the disparity in opinions regarding the day? Yes, and I'm super grateful that Ms Otheguy has gone to the trouble of explaining it all in a super accessible manner in this new portal fantasy novel for kids.
The story itself revolves around three cousins: wannabe influencer Siggy, quiet and caring Camilla, and daredevil Jorge. On Mondays, they hang out with their Tia Xia after school, as she has the day off from work at the museum. One afternoon, Jorge accidentally witnesses her come into possession of a jeweled sword. He's intrigued by the fact that she chooses to hide it in the oversized tinajon in the backyard. When he goes to investigate, Camilla and Siggy follow, launching them all on an adventure of a lifetime, as they find themselves somehow transported back to 1862.
There's a lot of really interesting historical adventure in these pages, as the kids discover the involvement and importance of Latine influence during the American Civil War. Each of the kids also goes through some significant personal growth as they experience history firsthand. Ofc, there's more than a sprinkling of magic to help the kids on their way, a magic almost as potent as their strong family ties. Ms Otheguy caps it all off with several pages of historical notes, a glossary, a bibliography and recommended reading.
I learned so much from this fascinating book but do wonder whether a younger reader might get a little bored at the earnestness of the text. While it starts off lively, the story feels like it develops a flow problem once the kids find themselves in the past, as if it has to dutifully hit a series of plot points rather than unfold organically. Perhaps a younger reader might not even notice that this book is very much meant to be good for them. And it's certainly a very small complaint overall given the rich perspective that Cousins In The Time Of Magic otherwise affords to readers who likely know very little of why this particular chapter of history matters. Definitely recommended for anyone interested in learning more about North American history from important, if undersung, viewpoints.
Cousins In The Time Of Magic by Emma Otheguy was published February 25 2025 by Atheneum Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
Bear with me while I tell you an anecdote here. I used to work in some decently nice restaurants, and at one of them had a manager of Mexican descent who loathed Cinco de Mayo. According to him, it's a holiday made up by American beer companies that no one in Mexico actually celebrates. And don't even get him started on the conflation with Mexican Independence, lol.
So I admittedly came into this book -- and what reads like the start of a fresh new middle grade series -- with a bit of a weather eye for tone given that the original Cinco de Mayo plays a pivotal role in the plot. It was thus immensely gratifying to read Emma Otheguy's note towards the end that this occasion has primarily been celebrated by Latines in the United States to commemorate the Mexican victory against the French. Why? Because it ensured that the Confederacy would not gain a crucial ally on its southern border during the American Civil War. There's a whole bunch of other stuff involving the Monroe Doctrine, but the defeat of the French imperial forces at Pueblo ensured that democracy and liberty would continue to have a fighting chance in the Western Hemisphere.
Is that something I knew before reading this book? Heck no! Is it a darn good reason to celebrate? Absolutely! Does it one hundred percent explain the disparity in opinions regarding the day? Yes, and I'm super grateful that Ms Otheguy has gone to the trouble of explaining it all in a super accessible manner in this new portal fantasy novel for kids.
The story itself revolves around three cousins: wannabe influencer Siggy, quiet and caring Camilla, and daredevil Jorge. On Mondays, they hang out with their Tia Xia after school, as she has the day off from work at the museum. One afternoon, Jorge accidentally witnesses her come into possession of a jeweled sword. He's intrigued by the fact that she chooses to hide it in the oversized tinajon in the backyard. When he goes to investigate, Camilla and Siggy follow, launching them all on an adventure of a lifetime, as they find themselves somehow transported back to 1862.
There's a lot of really interesting historical adventure in these pages, as the kids discover the involvement and importance of Latine influence during the American Civil War. Each of the kids also goes through some significant personal growth as they experience history firsthand. Ofc, there's more than a sprinkling of magic to help the kids on their way, a magic almost as potent as their strong family ties. Ms Otheguy caps it all off with several pages of historical notes, a glossary, a bibliography and recommended reading.
I learned so much from this fascinating book but do wonder whether a younger reader might get a little bored at the earnestness of the text. While it starts off lively, the story feels like it develops a flow problem once the kids find themselves in the past, as if it has to dutifully hit a series of plot points rather than unfold organically. Perhaps a younger reader might not even notice that this book is very much meant to be good for them. And it's certainly a very small complaint overall given the rich perspective that Cousins In The Time Of Magic otherwise affords to readers who likely know very little of why this particular chapter of history matters. Definitely recommended for anyone interested in learning more about North American history from important, if undersung, viewpoints.
Cousins In The Time Of Magic by Emma Otheguy was published February 25 2025 by Atheneum Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
November 22, 2024
Three cousins, Camila, Siggy, and Jorge, spend every Monday afternoon at their aunt’s house in Miami. Tía Xía works at a local historical museum and is always trying to teach the kids about important events and instill pride in their Mexican-Cuban heritage. Camila is quiet, animal-loving and practical, Jorge (the youngest of the three) is a daredevil, and Siggy is trying to find his niche as a social media influencer. One rainy day, Jorge is doing tricks on the roof when he witnesses his aunt receiving a flashy sword from her co-worker at the historical museum. Tía promptly stashes the sword inside a large clay pot called a tinajón in her front yard. Jorge tries to convince his cousins of what he saw, and they all climb inside the tinajón, only to emerge on a sunny beach where boats are waiting on the shore. They climb into one and are carried out into the water; Tía Xía comes through the portal shortly thereafter, and is swiftly borne in a different direction by the current.
The cousins soon find themselves pursued by an ironclad ship, make the acquaintance of a boy named Alfonso, and learn that they have been transported to Virginia in 1862. Alfonso is searching for his father, Federico, who is a Cuban-born Union spy who uses hydrogen balloons to spy on the Confederate army, and as it turns out, is a friend of the time-traveling Tía Xía. The kids find Federico’s grounded balloon and meet up with Oscar, an enslaved boy, who helps them determine that Federico is imprisoned in a nearby Confederate stronghold. The children stage an elaborate rescue and Federico thanks them by giving them the balloon to head to Mexico to find Tía Xía, who is looking for her friend “Nacho,” also known as General Ignacio Zaragoza, to give him the sword. When the trio arrives in the town of Puebla, they learn that their aunt is a familiar figure there, and has been captured by French soldiers. Before they can find her, they get a front row seat for a famous battle, which is now celebrated on Cinco de Mayo, in which the Mexicans stood up to the invading French army and thwarted the colonization attempts of Napoleon III. They ultimately return to the 21st century with a new respect for their family heritage, appreciation for their sometimes-flighty aunt, and a desire to head back to the past as soon as possible!
Cousins in the Time of Magic is an action-packed time travel adventure that also takes on important social issues of both past and present. The kids’ modern-day problems, particularly Siggy’s struggles with Tía Xía’s snooty neighbors, pale in comparison when they see what their forebears experienced in both countries. They encounter overt racism and microaggressions in both time periods, and are surprised by the presence of Latinos in the United States and their involvement in the military. Attentive readers will learn a lot about the origins of the Cinco de Mayo holiday and how it relates to the concurrent American Civil War, and will love the bond between the three cousins and the connections they make with the young friends they meet in the past. The book definitely feels like the beginning of a series, and I hope future installments will shed more light on Latin American history. Copious back matter includes an author’s note, definitions of certain terms, notes about events and people the kids encountered, and a comprehensive list for further reading. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
The cousins soon find themselves pursued by an ironclad ship, make the acquaintance of a boy named Alfonso, and learn that they have been transported to Virginia in 1862. Alfonso is searching for his father, Federico, who is a Cuban-born Union spy who uses hydrogen balloons to spy on the Confederate army, and as it turns out, is a friend of the time-traveling Tía Xía. The kids find Federico’s grounded balloon and meet up with Oscar, an enslaved boy, who helps them determine that Federico is imprisoned in a nearby Confederate stronghold. The children stage an elaborate rescue and Federico thanks them by giving them the balloon to head to Mexico to find Tía Xía, who is looking for her friend “Nacho,” also known as General Ignacio Zaragoza, to give him the sword. When the trio arrives in the town of Puebla, they learn that their aunt is a familiar figure there, and has been captured by French soldiers. Before they can find her, they get a front row seat for a famous battle, which is now celebrated on Cinco de Mayo, in which the Mexicans stood up to the invading French army and thwarted the colonization attempts of Napoleon III. They ultimately return to the 21st century with a new respect for their family heritage, appreciation for their sometimes-flighty aunt, and a desire to head back to the past as soon as possible!
Cousins in the Time of Magic is an action-packed time travel adventure that also takes on important social issues of both past and present. The kids’ modern-day problems, particularly Siggy’s struggles with Tía Xía’s snooty neighbors, pale in comparison when they see what their forebears experienced in both countries. They encounter overt racism and microaggressions in both time periods, and are surprised by the presence of Latinos in the United States and their involvement in the military. Attentive readers will learn a lot about the origins of the Cinco de Mayo holiday and how it relates to the concurrent American Civil War, and will love the bond between the three cousins and the connections they make with the young friends they meet in the past. The book definitely feels like the beginning of a series, and I hope future installments will shed more light on Latin American history. Copious back matter includes an author’s note, definitions of certain terms, notes about events and people the kids encountered, and a comprehensive list for further reading. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
October 19, 2024
What worked:
The book presents three cousins with contrasting personalities. Readers are immediately introduced to Jorge’s risk-taking when he accepts a neighbor’s dare to climb onto his garage roof and do a handstand. Camila is more logical and likes to follow the rules. However, she silently dreams of having a magical adventure and that’s exactly what happens in the story. Siggy is the oldest but he’s more concerned about adding to his podcast followers and advertisers than doing anything to support his cousins. Everyone, including Tia Xia, knows the neighbor boy is an arrogant, self-centered snob but Siggy hopes to enter his inner circle and become a bigger influencer. Siggy and Camila’s personalities undergo the biggest transformations as the plot unfolds.
The kids are transported back to Virginia in 1862 where they’re deposited into the middle of the Civil War. Factual information about this period is shared including Old Ironside trying to shoot them out of the water when they first appear. Slavery during this time is described as the characters encounter a young boy who’s separated from his father. However, the role of Latinos during this time isn’t commonly shared in historical writings and the author makes it a large point of this book. The setting shifts to Mexico where the citizens are waging their own battle against a French invasion. This Mexican conflict isn’t commonly known, probably because the U.S. Civil War overshadows it. The Civil War helped to free slaves but the plot stresses that freedom must be everywhere.
The book shares information about U.S. and Mexican history and the author includes sections in the back to help. First, there’s an “Author’s Note” where she provides information and stories related to the Mexican conflict and Latinos during this time period. Then, there’s a section called “Special Notes” where she describes people and terms that are mentioned in the story. A glossary follows that where the vocabulary used is obviously defined. The author provides additional books for those interested in further reading and a bibliography is provided to identify sources of information used in the story.
What didn’t work as well:
The transition of characters from 160 years in the future is a bit too smooth. Camila immediately thinks she’s traveled back in time and her cousins aren’t shocked about the realization. Kids from the past are surprised when they meet Jorge and his cousins but they quickly accept time travel and go on like nothing strange is happening.
The final verdict:
The book presents an interesting perspective on Latino influence in North American history. Factual information is blended into an exciting adventure set during a defining moment in the United States. Overall, I recommend you give this first book in the new series a shot.
The book presents three cousins with contrasting personalities. Readers are immediately introduced to Jorge’s risk-taking when he accepts a neighbor’s dare to climb onto his garage roof and do a handstand. Camila is more logical and likes to follow the rules. However, she silently dreams of having a magical adventure and that’s exactly what happens in the story. Siggy is the oldest but he’s more concerned about adding to his podcast followers and advertisers than doing anything to support his cousins. Everyone, including Tia Xia, knows the neighbor boy is an arrogant, self-centered snob but Siggy hopes to enter his inner circle and become a bigger influencer. Siggy and Camila’s personalities undergo the biggest transformations as the plot unfolds.
The kids are transported back to Virginia in 1862 where they’re deposited into the middle of the Civil War. Factual information about this period is shared including Old Ironside trying to shoot them out of the water when they first appear. Slavery during this time is described as the characters encounter a young boy who’s separated from his father. However, the role of Latinos during this time isn’t commonly shared in historical writings and the author makes it a large point of this book. The setting shifts to Mexico where the citizens are waging their own battle against a French invasion. This Mexican conflict isn’t commonly known, probably because the U.S. Civil War overshadows it. The Civil War helped to free slaves but the plot stresses that freedom must be everywhere.
The book shares information about U.S. and Mexican history and the author includes sections in the back to help. First, there’s an “Author’s Note” where she provides information and stories related to the Mexican conflict and Latinos during this time period. Then, there’s a section called “Special Notes” where she describes people and terms that are mentioned in the story. A glossary follows that where the vocabulary used is obviously defined. The author provides additional books for those interested in further reading and a bibliography is provided to identify sources of information used in the story.
What didn’t work as well:
The transition of characters from 160 years in the future is a bit too smooth. Camila immediately thinks she’s traveled back in time and her cousins aren’t shocked about the realization. Kids from the past are surprised when they meet Jorge and his cousins but they quickly accept time travel and go on like nothing strange is happening.
The final verdict:
The book presents an interesting perspective on Latino influence in North American history. Factual information is blended into an exciting adventure set during a defining moment in the United States. Overall, I recommend you give this first book in the new series a shot.
September 24, 2024
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy live in Miami and often are "babysat" by their Tia Xia, who doesn't watch them all that closely, even when one of them takes a dare from local bully Cooper to do a handstand on the roof in the rain. Cooper is having a Cinco de Maya party, but Tia Xia tells the kids that they don't understand the true meaning of Cinco de Maya. When the kids find a sword, and Camilla head is stuck in a pot, they find that their aunt's yard is a time travel portal, and soon find themselves in Virginia in the 1800s. They are on a boat, being chased by an Ironclad, and while they have a fuzzy message on their cell phone to contact Frederico, they lose sight of their aunt. They are soon helped by Alphonso, who says his father is Frederico, and he's an office from the Union army whose hydrogen balloon went off course. Oscar, whose family is enslaved, takes the kids to a plantation that is serving as military headquarters, hoping to find him. When they do, they find that their aunt was trying to get a magical sword to Zaragoza, who must defeat the French. They take a balloon to Pubela City to meet up with Tia Xia, but Siggy is captured and Camila and Jorge meet Pascuala, an indigenous girl who tries to help them. Will the Mexicans be able to prevail against their European colonizers?
Strengths: This had some interesting historical perspective on parts of history tangential to some things I already knew. The inclusion of the hydrogen balloons was particularly intriguing, and I liked that there were notes at the back of the book explaining if the characters were real or fictional. I was a huge fan of the 1980s television show VOYAGERS! so love the idea of traveling back in time to change history.
Weaknesses: I would love to see a historical novel about this time period without the fantasy elements; I read this book last night, and this morning the first thing that popped into my mind was that Zaragoza used a magical sword to win the Mexican-American war. Not quite the takeaway I wanted.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Gutman's The Fabulous Four or Messner's Ranger in time series, but want a Latine perspective on history.
Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy live in Miami and often are "babysat" by their Tia Xia, who doesn't watch them all that closely, even when one of them takes a dare from local bully Cooper to do a handstand on the roof in the rain. Cooper is having a Cinco de Maya party, but Tia Xia tells the kids that they don't understand the true meaning of Cinco de Maya. When the kids find a sword, and Camilla head is stuck in a pot, they find that their aunt's yard is a time travel portal, and soon find themselves in Virginia in the 1800s. They are on a boat, being chased by an Ironclad, and while they have a fuzzy message on their cell phone to contact Frederico, they lose sight of their aunt. They are soon helped by Alphonso, who says his father is Frederico, and he's an office from the Union army whose hydrogen balloon went off course. Oscar, whose family is enslaved, takes the kids to a plantation that is serving as military headquarters, hoping to find him. When they do, they find that their aunt was trying to get a magical sword to Zaragoza, who must defeat the French. They take a balloon to Pubela City to meet up with Tia Xia, but Siggy is captured and Camila and Jorge meet Pascuala, an indigenous girl who tries to help them. Will the Mexicans be able to prevail against their European colonizers?
Strengths: This had some interesting historical perspective on parts of history tangential to some things I already knew. The inclusion of the hydrogen balloons was particularly intriguing, and I liked that there were notes at the back of the book explaining if the characters were real or fictional. I was a huge fan of the 1980s television show VOYAGERS! so love the idea of traveling back in time to change history.
Weaknesses: I would love to see a historical novel about this time period without the fantasy elements; I read this book last night, and this morning the first thing that popped into my mind was that Zaragoza used a magical sword to win the Mexican-American war. Not quite the takeaway I wanted.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Gutman's The Fabulous Four or Messner's Ranger in time series, but want a Latine perspective on history.
March 9, 2025
What I liked:
- the setting! Florida and the story of Cinco De Mayo came out in full, lush detail and this is a story about an important but lesser-known event in US history that becomes fully visualized in this time-travelling mystery
- love, love, loved Tia - and getting to see through her perspective as well. Adult characters in middle-grade novels can often seem one-note or simply a foil or plot device and I loved how multi-dimensional she was. Tough as nails but loving and a fighter-historian! How fun is that!?
Things I was so-so about:
- there were SO many characters being introduced it was a little hard to keep track of. However, since this is the first series, I did enjoy the fact that we will probably get to know each of these distinct cousins a little better with each subsequent book.
If you like historical mysteries with a fresh setting and a plethora of characters, this is a good start to a new series.
- the setting! Florida and the story of Cinco De Mayo came out in full, lush detail and this is a story about an important but lesser-known event in US history that becomes fully visualized in this time-travelling mystery
- love, love, loved Tia - and getting to see through her perspective as well. Adult characters in middle-grade novels can often seem one-note or simply a foil or plot device and I loved how multi-dimensional she was. Tough as nails but loving and a fighter-historian! How fun is that!?
Things I was so-so about:
- there were SO many characters being introduced it was a little hard to keep track of. However, since this is the first series, I did enjoy the fact that we will probably get to know each of these distinct cousins a little better with each subsequent book.
If you like historical mysteries with a fresh setting and a plethora of characters, this is a good start to a new series.
March 28, 2025
I was so excited to read this book because as it happens, my birthday is on Cinco de Mayo! It's a common false belief that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day, when in fact it is when the won the Battle of Puebla against the French, who wanted to take over and install their own monarchy.
The book provides great historical background, along with some notes, further reading suggestions and historical facts in the back of the book. I loved how it made history interesting and fun by transporting modern kids back to that time and including lots of adventures. The author has some Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout, which was super fun for me as I am learning Spanish. I loved the focus on the cousin (primo) relationships, and how down to earth the kids were. The perspective actually jumps, letting you follow each of the kids in turn during the book. Overall, a fun, adventuterous middle grade novel!
Thank you to Simon Kids for my copy.
The book provides great historical background, along with some notes, further reading suggestions and historical facts in the back of the book. I loved how it made history interesting and fun by transporting modern kids back to that time and including lots of adventures. The author has some Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout, which was super fun for me as I am learning Spanish. I loved the focus on the cousin (primo) relationships, and how down to earth the kids were. The perspective actually jumps, letting you follow each of the kids in turn during the book. Overall, a fun, adventuterous middle grade novel!
Thank you to Simon Kids for my copy.
March 3, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! The mix of adventure and history kept me hooked, and I love when fiction helps bring historical events to life. Otheguy masterfully balances fact and fantasy, making Cousins in the Time of Magic an unforgettable read for young audiences. If you love The Magic Tree House but want something with more depth and excitement, this book is a must-read!
Thank you to the publisher and author for the book and my honest review. Read my full review and enter my giveaway for this book! Ends March 31, 2025. https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
Thank you to the publisher and author for the book and my honest review. Read my full review and enter my giveaway for this book! Ends March 31, 2025. https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
June 16, 2025
What is the importance of May 5 (cinco de mayo) to US history? We may not know it, but Puebla's defeat of the French had a big impact on our own Civil War. Three cousins get magically sent back to that time, following their madcap Tia Xia and learning along the way the answer to that question. Like a well-written mystery, where if a pistol appears in chapter one, it will have been fired by the end, the children bring random things in their pockets that they end up using in their adventure. The author does a good job of keeping the children's challenges (and solutions) believably child-sized and not, for instance, having them actually fight in the battle.
March 2, 2025
👦🏻reviews: Ah-ha! Now the story of Cinco de Mayo is even clearer. These three cousins remind me of my own crazy ones. Jorge, Camilla and Siggy with their own unique qualities have brought their own stories and specialties to this book. These cousins are funny, mysterious and brave while chasing their adventures. It is an easy read and plenty of good adventure!
April 21, 2025
solid start to a new historical fiction series.
August 13, 2025
Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy is about three cousins who discover a magical portal that transports them into the past. Jorge, Camila, and Siggy have always been told by their eccentric Tía Xia that history is filled with magic. The three cousins are very different from one another: Jorge is a daredevil, Camila is a dreamer who loves animals and spends her time reading, and Siggy is an aspiring influencer who manages to score an invite to an exclusive party. While they’ve always known their aunt to be aloof and secretive, everything changes when they discover a mysterious diamond-encrusted sword—clearly a clue to something much bigger.
As they search for answers about the sword, the trio stumbles upon a magical portal that transports them to the year 1862. They quickly learn that while the past holds many wonders, it is also filled with danger. In order to return home, they must ensure the sword is delivered to General Ignacio Zaragoza before the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico—the event that would later inspire the Cinco de Mayo holiday. To succeed, the cousins must rely on their individual strengths and work together to protect history without accidentally changing it.
The novel was an okay read. I wasn’t familiar with General Ignacio Zaragoza or the details behind Cinco de Mayo, so I appreciated learning more about that history. I liked that the author included Latin American history and culture, and that she clarified which characters were fictionalized. However, I can’t quite pinpoint why, but nothing in the story really wowed me or made me feel invested in continuing with the rest of the series. I believe young readers who enjoy time travel adventures—especially those with a Latinx background—may connect with this story more deeply than I did. It’s a great starting point for learning about aspects of Latin American history that are often left out of traditional history books.
As they search for answers about the sword, the trio stumbles upon a magical portal that transports them to the year 1862. They quickly learn that while the past holds many wonders, it is also filled with danger. In order to return home, they must ensure the sword is delivered to General Ignacio Zaragoza before the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico—the event that would later inspire the Cinco de Mayo holiday. To succeed, the cousins must rely on their individual strengths and work together to protect history without accidentally changing it.
The novel was an okay read. I wasn’t familiar with General Ignacio Zaragoza or the details behind Cinco de Mayo, so I appreciated learning more about that history. I liked that the author included Latin American history and culture, and that she clarified which characters were fictionalized. However, I can’t quite pinpoint why, but nothing in the story really wowed me or made me feel invested in continuing with the rest of the series. I believe young readers who enjoy time travel adventures—especially those with a Latinx background—may connect with this story more deeply than I did. It’s a great starting point for learning about aspects of Latin American history that are often left out of traditional history books.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews