The Firefly Crown

The magical ability to control insects determines social standing in this fast-paced, action-packed fantasy adventure by Diño (The Serpent Rider). Twelve-year-old Yumi’s seeming inability to use magic to compel crickets like her mambabarang, or sorcerer, parents leaves her feeling discouraged and inadequate. When her parents and other mambabarang are summoned to the palace to witness the empress’s coronation, Yumi stows away on the transport ship, eager to capitalize on her proven affinity for metalwork by befriending a skilled craftsperson in the capital city of Tinanglawan. En route, the vessel is attacked by the Ghost Swarm, a mysterious force of undead bugs. After Yumi blows her cover and, with the help of a cricket, saves the ship from the horde, she’s praised for her courage and quick thinking. But when the empress’s Firefly Crown—a magical object used to boost one’s ability to impel fireflies, the empire’s only hope of defeating the Ghost Swarm—is stolen, Yumi is unjustly blamed. To clear her name, Yumi must uncover the real thief or risk jeopardizing both the empire’s future and her own. An inventive magic system leaves room for readers’ imaginations to run wild, and Yumi’s cheeky, self-effacing first-person narration provides an accessible entry point for considering complex topics such as class differences and personal loyalties. Yumi’s mother is described as having pale skin. Ages 8–11. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Nov.)