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Every morning, 12 year-old Lucía scales the massive Sombra Trees that shroud Coquí Island in darkness in search of their rare medicinal fruit.

 

Her secret advantage is a parrot named Malo with a sharp sense of smell and a sharper tongue.

 

But when her grandmother’s health deteriorates and the fruit grows scarce, Lucía ventures into a foggy labyrinth where even the most nimble climbers vanish.

 

When shady characters follow her and seize Malo, Lucía must use her wits to pull off her riskiest venture yet: escaping with her life.

Release Date: Summer 2027

Art by Molly Clasen

Pagán Photo Credit to Justin McRobert.jpg

​Photo by Justin McRobert

BIO

Darlene Pagán is working on her website. Stay tuned!

 

FAVORITES

 

Favorite Colors: Blue and Purple

Favorite Planet: Neptune

Favorite Constellation: Orion’s Belt

Favorite Forest: El Yunque Rainforest, Puerto Rico

Favorite Animal: Coquí

Favorite Fruit: Blueberries and Mango

Favorite Food: Vegetarian Pho

Favorite Puerto Rican Food: Pasteles

Favorite Dessert: Tembleque (coconut pudding)

Favorite Candy: Chocolate

 

Favorite Place: Forests

Favorite Weather: Rain

Favorite Middle Grade Novels:

  • The Girl and The Ghost, Hannah Alkaf

  • A Wish in the Dark, Christine Soontornvat

  • Skullduggery Pleasant Series, Derek Landy

  • The Thing About Jellyfish, Ali Benjamin

Favorite YA Novels:

  • The Marrow Thieves, Cherie Dimaline

  • The Bear and the Nightingale, Katherine Arden

  • They Both Die at the End, Adam Silvera

  • Anything by Laura Ruby

Favorite Adult Books:

  • The House of the Spirits, Isabel Allende (novel)

  • The Rock Eaters, Brenda Peynado (short stories)

  • The Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montgomery (nonfiction)

  • There, There, Tommy Orange (novel)

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