Tessa Miyata Is No Hero

June 15, 2023
Thrown into a world of Japanese gods and spirits, Tessa must find the courage and strength to defeat an evil samurai spirit. Tessa Miyata is cursed. At the beginning of sixth grade, she began seeing a masked woman who's invisible to everyone else, leading to her being shunned socially. A year later, an incident gets her expelled from summer camp. Gram, the maternal grandmother who has cared for Tessa and her sisters since their parents died, sends her to spend the summer in Japan with Ojiichan and Obaachan, her paternal grandparents. But Tessa's grand Tokyo vacation plans get shut down when she's forced to hang out with neighbor boy Jin, who is clearly reluctant too. The kids finally get to run an errand for Ojiichan in Tokyo, but it turns disastrous when bullies break the precious heirloom daruma doll entrusted to them, releasing the spirit of legendary samurai Taira Masakado, who died over 1,000 years ago. With the help of a kitsune, or nine-tailed fox, Tessa and Jin must work together, train to battle monsters, and try to save Tokyo from Lord Taira. In this exciting, action-packed story, Tessa struggles with loneliness and feels like she doesn't belong anywhere, but she discovers true strength, bravery, selflessness, and resilience. The magical world of Japanese spirits is beautifully crafted, with cultural elements seamlessly woven throughout. A glossary and interspersed black-and-white illustrations provide additional context. A delightfully spirited Japanese mythology-inspired adventure that's full of heart. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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June 12, 2023
A determined tween trains to battle an ancient Japanese warrior threatening present-day Tokyo in this mythical fantasy adventure by Abe (Alliana, Girl of Dragons). Twelve-year-old Tessa Miyata, who has been raised by her Gram in California following her parents’ deaths, has been labeled a “weirdo” by her classmates for her ability to see things others can’t. Once summer begins, Tessa is excited to visit her paternal grandparents in Japan with her two older sisters, hoping for a break from her mysterious visions and a chance at a fresh start. Except she still sees things, including a strange glow emanating from the glass-encased daruma doll that Ojiichan sends her to deliver to an antique shop. When the case breaks, Tessa learns that it was binding the spirit of Taira Masakado, a thousand-year-old samurai lord who almost overthrew Japan. Accompanied by Jin Uehara, a neighborhood boy and martial arts whiz, and Kit, a magical fox spirit, Tessa must do whatever it takes to save Tokyo from the escaped lord. Otherworldly beings and ethereal landscapes, inspired by Japanese mythology, fill this energetic tale of acceptance and friendship that centers a compassionate, loyal protagonist. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic.

July 1, 2023
Grades 3-6 Yikes and Yakult! From internet bullies to ominous ancient spirits that only she can see, Tessa Miyata can't seem to catch a break. So when she and her sisters are invited to spend the summer with their grandparents in Japan, Tessa is excited to start over. But then a vengeful samurai spirit attacks a local shrine, and Tessa and her friends, both mortal and spirit, have to find a way to save the city (and Tessa's self-worth, while they're at it). Tenuous world building and inconsistent characters keep the story from more meaningfully exploring its supernatural and emotional premise, but readers interested in the mythology can enjoy a light-hearted take on figures from Japanese lore. This fast-paced middle-grade fantasy feels like a book dreaming of being an animated series, complete with training sequences, quippy talking-animal sidekicks, and plentiful pop-culture references. Informed by the author's own summers in Japan, Abe (Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch, 2021) revisits familiar themes of determination and learning to believe in yourself in this high-energy--if somewhat underdeveloped--coming-of-age story.

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December 8, 2023

Gr 4-7-Meet Tessa Miyata, the definitely-cursed protagonist of Abe's ("Eva Evergreen") new middle grade series. Gran sends Tessa to spend the summer after sixth grade with Obaachan and Ojiichan in Japan. Tessa has always had extraordinarily bad luck (which surely doesn't have anything to do with her invisible kitsune charm bracelet) but when she and Jin, a neighbor boy, find themselves the last line of defense against the manifestation of an ancient samurai keen on absorbing all the life-force in Tokyo, her misfortune may turn deadly. Secret identities, lost memories, legendary warriors, and mythical creatures abound in Takamagahara, the City of Legends. Abe balances humor, action, and identity in this first series installment. Kit, the (potentially) powerful kitsune, provides delightful banter as a quest guide for Tessa and Jin. While Tessa's story will feel familiar to seasoned fantasy readers, she is notable in her choices and perseverance; Tessa is willing to do what needs to be done, even when the (literal) gods won't. This blending of chance and choice makes Tessa a lovable and inspiring heroine. A rich Japanese glossary and small illustrations supplement the text well. This is a great series starter and an easy recommendation for fans of myths, legends, and fantasy-adventure. VERDICT Action with myth and heart. Recommended as a general purchase.-Taylor Worley

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