This is what diverse middle grade fantasy should look like: culturally rich, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely exciting to read. Kwame Mbalia doesn't just drop folklore references and call it a day—he builds an entire mythology that feels alive and earned.
The grief storyline is the real deal. Tristan's guilt over surviving the bus accident that killed his best friend Eddie is woven throughout, and it's handled with real sensitivity. This isn't trauma as plot device; it's the actual story. Some kids will find that cathartic, others might find it heavy. Know your kid.
The fantasy elements deliver: the MidPass is weird and wonderful, the folk heroes feel like real characters (not museum pieces), and Anansi as trickster god brings genuine wit and danger. The Coretta Scott King Honor wasn't a diversity checkbox—this book earned it.
At 4.8 stars on Amazon and strong reviews from both parents and librarians, this is one of those books that works on multiple levels: entertaining enough that kids actually read it, meaningful enough that it sticks with them. If your middle schooler devoured Percy Jackson and is ready for something with a bit more emotional weight, this is an excellent next step.






