The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song

(Tales of the Feathered Serpent #2)
By David Bowles, Charlene Bowles
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In this graphic novel retelling of an Indigenous Mexican tale, demigod twins must use their magic of song to rescue their father and uncle from the perilous Land of the Dead. A supreme middle-grade adventure!

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Front cover for Los héroes gemelos y la magia de la canción by David Bowles and Charlene Bowles
This book is also available in Spanish
Los héroes gemelos y la magia de la canción
By David Bowles, Charlene Bowles

Description

In the age when Maya demigods lived among us, two carefree brothers, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, are foolishly lured to Xibalba, the Land of the Dead, to play a game. Unfortunately, it was a one-way trip. Unable to return to the sea-ringed world above, One Hunahpu’s firstborn sons must be raised by their grandmother.

Yet all hope is not lost. Down in Xibalba, One Hunahpu meets the rebellious Lady Blood, and their love leads to another set of twin sons, destined to save their father and uncle and restore balance to the cosmos. But won’t be easy! Lady Blood is shunned in the world above, and the twins are taunted by their half-brothers’ cruel pranks. If they choose to use a little trickster magic, maybe… just maybe… they might succeed.

Adapted from author David Bowles’s retellings and translations of essential pre-Columbian texts like the Popol Vuh, the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series bring Indigenous Mesoamerican stories alive for young readers!

About the Creators

David Bowles

David Bowles is a Mexican American author from south Texas, where he teaches at the University of Texas Río Grande Valley. He has written several award-winning titles, most notably The Smoking Mirror and They Call Me Güero. His graphic novels include the Clockwork Curandera trilogy and the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series, based on stories from his critically acclaimed Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky. His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, School Library Journal, Strange Horizons, English Journal, Rattle, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children's Literature. In 2017, David was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters. He is online at davidbowles.us and on Twitter at @DavidOBowles.

Charlene Bowles
Charlene Bowles

Charlene Bowles is a comic artist and illustrator based in Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2018. Rise of the Halfling King is her debut graphic novel and her work has also been featured on the covers of the award-winning Garza Twins books. She is currently developing many of her own comic projects.

Reviews

  • "Immersive, magical, and undeniably clever."J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author

    - J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author
  • "This book has it all! Magic, music, and mayhem. . . . David Bowles and Charlene Bowles are masters at bringing these ancient stories to life with contemporary comedic pacing and beautifully crafted artwork."

    - Pedro Martín, award-winning author-illustrator of Mexikid
  • "My 9-year-old son and were absolutely entranced by this empowering, action-packed and authentic Mesoamerican story. His first question after finishing: 'When's the next one coming out?'"Julio Anta, Eisner Award-nominated author of Frontera and This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story and Home

    - Julio Anta, Eisner Award-nominated author of Frontera and This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story and Home
  • "These books transport you to a rich and vibrant world of gods, demigods, and magic. I fell in love with the bold and expressive art style — such strong linework and detailed costuming! This series has piqued my interest in indigenous folklore in my own family — what knowledge have we lost to violent colonialism, and what stories remain?"

    - Christine Suggs, creator of ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico
  • "This latest installment in David Bowles' series devoted to Mesoamerican folklore weaves demigod-filled bombast with fanciful hijinks, star-crossed romance, and heaps of humor. Charlene Bowles' artwork continues to leverage bold lines, earthy tones, and fluid action to further delight.... An engrossing tale of fledgling heroics."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781947627697
  • Publication Date Oct 29, 2024
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 7 in
  • Weight 0.58 lbs
  • Page Count 80
  • Interests

  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / Mexico
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
  • Themes Courage, Cultural Diversity, Diversity, Families, Fantasy, Fiction, Folktale / Folklore / Traditional Literature, Grandparents, Graphic Novel, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Middle Grade, Overcoming Obstacles, Siblings, Spanish
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 8
  • Guided Reading U
  • DRA 44
  • Interest Level Grades 4 - 8
  • Reading Level Grades 5 - 6
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy