Sparks fly when cultures collide in the fantastical, cross-generational novel The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau (Star in the Forest).
In the 1950s, on the Hill of Dust in rural Mexico, life takes an unexpected turn when a Roman--"Gypsy"--caravan rolls in. Enchanted by these colorful strangers, the Mixteco Indian villagers welcome the Romani and their "Traveling Cinema." Eleven-year old Teo is mourning his twin sister's death, but a girl who calls herself Esma, Gypsy Queen of Lightning, jolts the boy out of his grief. She crackles with the lightning she claims struck her--and Teo can feel it. Esma's grandmother Roza, the Mistress of Destiny, foretells that Teo and Esma will be loyal friends for life--and ultimately will save each other--but it's a longshot. Esma's people are nomadic, and her culture forbids friendship between boys and girls. Despite the odds, the unlikely pair sets out to prove that nothing is impossible. Bold Esme, who dreams of being a famous singer, is as determined as "the head of a lion" and Teo, a natural healer and friend to injured animals, lifts others up like "the wings of a bird." When the narrative shifts to the 21st century, an elderly Teo recounts their story for his grandson Mateo from Maryland, and it becomes clear the younger generation still has a role to play in Teo and Esma's destiny.
A celebration of culture and history, The Lightning Queen is a heartwarming, lyrical and inspiring tale of love, redemption and overcoming adversity. --Kyla Paterno, reviewer