EL NIÑO, By Pam Muñoz Ryan, Scholastic Press, May 6, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Fantasy, myth and reality come together in El Niño, a new book by Pam Muñoz Ryan that follows a swimmer as he heals from the loss of his sister.
Sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let go.
Kai Sosa is so passionate about swimming he is practically a fish. This summer, he’s determined to become the athlete he once was on an elite swim team.
But something invisible holds him back. His race times are off. Dreams of his sister Cali haunt him. And he hasn’t found her missing gold cuff, her last request. Mom is still talking about grief, even though it’s been two years since she disappeared. He’s fine now, isn’t he?
When Kai discovers a library book Cali had checked out multiple times―about an underwater realm and a mysterious place called the Library of Despair and Sorrow―details from the story begin to appear in his own life: dolphin pods, imposing rock towers, unusual sea creatures, and even Cali’s beloved bracelet. As myth and reality collide, El Niño unleashes its fury, and Kai is swept up in a storm of events that will change his understanding of love, death, grief, and how best to honor those we’ve lost. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
El Niño is a beautiful book in both packaging and content. Not only does author Pam Muñoz Ryan transport readers with her beautiful prose, but artist Joe Cepeda also captures the story with wondrous illustrations by artist Joe Cepeda, and it’s all printed in blue ink.
Kai is a thoughtful boy who loves swimming. Like his sister before him, he was on track to be a serious contender. But when Cali went missing, so did his abilities. Sure, he could still swim, but not up to as high a standard as before. It’s only when he returns to competitive swimming that he truly confronts his loss and finds a way forward.
Ryan expertly blends mythology and real life, utilizing the mythology of Queen Califia — the ruler of an island that houses the Library of Despair and Sorrow. It’s a world that brings Kai meaning and understanding, and one that seems to slip in and out of reality.
In the “real world,” Kai and his teammates are struggling to understand and to live up to their coaches’ training expectations. As the mom of a competitive swimmer, this part really rang true. Especially when the coaches have them do exercises that aren’t seemingly connected to winning and cutting time. This is where Kai’s teammates add some humor and grounding. I appreciated the emphasis on team support in particular. This part of the book is relatable, especially for middle graders dealing with increased expectations in sport and school.
With elements of mythology, fantasy and sports, El Niño should appeal to a large cross-section of readers. Ryan’s text is immersive and really captures attention.
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