RICA BAPTISTA

When an odd package arrives, Rica Baptista is intrigued.

Something mysterious is happening at Rica’s house: Uncle Moose has sent a box addressed to himself! Strangest of all, no one else seems as curious as Rica, not even her teenage cousin Serenity, who’s staying with Rica’s family for the week while Serenity’s father (Rica’s Uncle Will) goes camping with her twin siblings. What could be in the box? Rica and BFF Laini mull the possibilities: a rainbow polka-dotted unicorn? An alien? Uncle Moose will be visiting in a few days, and he’ll let the family know what’s inside when he arrives, but Rica can’t wait. Sharing a bedroom with Serenity proves a lot less magical than Rica’s fantasies, especially after a video call with Uncle Will that leaves Serenity sulky. As Rica realizes that her cousin feels left out, she and Laini decide to cheer her up—after all, what if the box’s secret item is the ability to make people feel better? Rica once more proves an enchanting narrator with an authentic voice, by turns wildly imaginative and grounded in her compassion for Serenity. Her Cabo Verdean American family is loving and funny, gently bantering while doing their best to support Serenity; cultural references (for instance, Momma preparing a stew known as cachupa) are gently woven in. Jose’s black-and-white artwork makes effective use of shading, depicting characters with distinctive facial features. Laini is light-skinned.

Heartfelt and engaging.