Susan the Librarian

The publisher’s summary

Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.

Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa’s family needs to trap monstrous.

So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family’s struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task…until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.

Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew—for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.  

My recommendation

While heisty middle grade fantasies always delight readers, what makes Mendonca’s debut truly exceptional is the grounded quality of both the fantasy and the character relationships. Portuguese folklore, real and mythological bestiary, and transactional, artisanal charms construct a tangible magic system that pairs perfectly with the relatably nuanced power dynamics and social structures among friends, family, and political strata. The Epilogue suggests a sequel. I would consider this a must-buy for middle grade fantasy collections.