2026
WISE Score
A six-foot-tall middle schooler finds out his biologist mom is basically a foster parent for chupacabras in the Texas brush.
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Adrianna Cuevas is a reliable bet for middle-grade readers who want something more than a generic hero's journey. By grounding the supernatural in a Texas wildlife refuge, she makes the chupacabra feel as real as a stray dog—and just as worth saving.
It is a great pick for kids who liked The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez or the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. It moves fast, respects the reader's intelligence, and handles the 'tall kid' social anxiety with a lot of heart.
Perfect for the 8 to 12 crowd. It hits that sweet spot of high-stakes adventure and humor that works for kids who have moved past early chapter books but aren't quite ready for the heavy themes of YA.
Adrianna Cuevas consistently writes middle-grade stories where family bonds and cultural heritage are front and center. The plot focuses on protecting misunderstood creatures and clearing names rather than mindless conflict.
The 'cryptid wildlife refuge' concept is a fresh spin on the hidden-magic trope. Treating chupacabras like endangered species in the Texas brush is a clever, grounded way to handle folklore.
Standard middle-grade territory. There is some tension involving a corporate energy company and the 'monsters,' but it stays well within the comfort zone for the 8-12 crowd.
Jordi's struggle with his height and wanting to blend in is a relatable physical-identity hook. The story also touches on environmental ethics and the way powerful entities can scapegoat the defenseless.
Adrianna Cuevas has a knack for taking Latin American folklore and dropping it into the middle of a very recognizable American childhood. In Mischief and Monsters, the monster isn't some ancient evil coming to end the world; it's a creature that just needs a biologist and a volunteer to keep it from getting caught in the gears of a local energy company.
Jordi is an excellent anchor for the story. At twelve years old and six feet tall, his physical presence is a source of constant self-consciousness. This makes his work at the refuge—where he has to care for creatures that are also 'out of place'—feel earned and emotionally resonant.
This isn't just a monster-of-the-week story. It deals with the ethics of wildlife management and the way human industry impacts local ecosystems. It's the kind of book that pairs well with a science unit on habitats or a social studies look at Texas geography.
If your kid is a fan of the Tristan Strong series or Amari and the Night Brothers, they will find a similar vibe here: a kid discovering a hidden world right under their nose, but with a specific, grounded Texas grit that sets it apart. It's a solid addition to any middle-grade shelf and a great example of how to do 'modern myth' right.
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