The Boy, the Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon - by Caris Avendaño Cruz (Hardcover)

About the Book

Three Filipino children, Bayani, Isay, and Aaron, venture into a mystical land of monsters and gods from Filipino lore, where they must navigate dangers and find their way back home.

Book Synopsis

From the author of Marikit and the Ocean of Stars, a magical middle grade adventure about three Filipino children who must find their way through a mystical land filled with monsters and gods from Filipino lore.

The town of Santo Cristo is known for two things--their colorful town fiesta capped off with a solemn evening procession, and the dozens of people that have disappeared over the years. When three kids--the headstrong Bayani, stubborn Isay, and anxious Aaron--find their way over the other side of a mysterious bridge and to a long-forgotten island of myth, they're faced with monsters, cryptids, and sinister characters. In this land of Night, they must find their way back to their world and keep their light burning bright lest they lose themselves too.

Review Quotes

"Cruz (Markit and the Ocean of Stars) draws upon Filipino mythology to deliver a fantastical tale about overcoming fear and cultivating a love for the earth and its inhabitants...An engaging tale that blends magical adventure with hopeful depictions of friendship." --Publisher's Weekly

"Cruz seamlessly weaves Filipino folklore into this atmospheric and charming adventure, balancing the story's darker elements with moments of humor and themes of hope and friendship...An enchanting and whimsical story about finding light within darkness." --Kirkus

About the Author

Caris Avendaño Cruz is the author of The Boy, the Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon and Marikit and the Ocean of Stars. She is a copywriter for internet brands and cool businesses, but her favorite things to write are magical stories led by kids of color. She lives in Bulacan, Philippines and posts on Instagram.