Rick Riordan Presents: Race to the Sun (Paperback)
Winter 2019 Kids Indie Next List
“Nizhoni Begay is a heroine you won’t soon forget! Roanhorse delves into Native American mythology with glee as Nizhoni learns about her heritage and what it takes to become a hero. With a colorful cast of characters—Mr. Yazzie the horned toad being a personal favorite—it’s a race to the sun god for mythical weapons so Nizhoni and company can free her father from a tyrannical monster (who also happens to be an oil baron).”
— Sami Thomason, Square Books, Oxford, MS
Staff Reviews
Nizhoni can sense monsters. Not that anyone will believe her. Her younger brother, Mac, and her father, think she’s making it up for attention. When the suspicious man at her basketball game turns out to be her dad’s new boss, she attacks him in fear for her family. After her dad goes missing the next day, Nizhoni and Mac launch a rescue mission with the help of her best friend and Diné Holy People they meet along the way. This book is great for anyone, but especially those who love the Heroes of Olympus series. I will read everything that Rebecca Roanhorse writes, adult scifi, middle grade, anything. She is a fantastic storyteller.
— RosieRoanhorse (the Sixth World series for adults), who is Ohkay Owingeh and African-American, draws on her husband’s heritage to reimagine Navajo stories and characters, delivering a fast-paced, exciting adventure. While the antagonists could stand further development, Nizhoni’s blend of snark, confidence, and humor proves as multifaceted as the satisfying tale’s focus on friendship, family, and cultural legacy.—Publishers Weekly