My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the third book I’ve read by the talented Adrianna Cuevas. The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Cuba in my Pocket were very different books from The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto, but they each capture the genuine struggles of preteens and their very real challenges with changing family dynamics.

The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto ranges from spooky to sci-fi but at it’s core, it is a heartfelt story about a boy dealing with his mom’s sickness. This book explores how far-reaching grief can be for kids and adults alike. But this is a story of hope and building relationships rather than losing them.

I really enjoyed how Rafa’s world perception is colored by his obsession with his role-playing game, The Forgotten Age. His wonderful imagination helps him connect to others and make sense of the world around him. I also found his growing friendships with Jennie and Marcus to be my favorite parts of the book. Their comradery and honest emotions were beautifully written.

This was definitely another gem by Adrianna Cuevas!


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