The Storm Runner
(Storm Runner #1)

Gr 4-8--Zane Obispo has a pretty sweet life: a mom who loves him; his fun, wrestling-loving Uncle Hondo; eccentric, caring neighbors; a loyal dog; and his very own backyard volcano. The downside is he'll be starting a new school, where he knows kids will make fun of his limp and his cane. When Zane and his dog Rosie discover a secret entrance to the volcano, Zane has no idea they've just put an ancient prophecy into motion, one that features him as a main player. Soon he meets a shape-shifter named Brooks who tells Zane that not only is Zane supernatural, but it is foretold that he plays a role in releasing Ah-Puch--the Mayan god of death, disaster, and darkness--from his prison in the volcano. Zane learns that there is more truth to the myths in his Mayan book than he ever imagined and that his father--whom he has never know--is also a major part of the prophecy. Zane sets off a chain of events that bring him closer to the truth about his ancestry and show him a world he thought only existed in books. Fantastic and villainous creatures from Mayan folklore combine with clever, realistic, and heartwarming characters. VERDICT A page-turning and well-written trip into the world of Mayan mythology, perfect for fans of David Bowles's Garza "Twins" and Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series.--Selenia Paz, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX