Aya de León

Amani is the only Black girl of size at private Penfield Academy in Los Angeles. That's plenty enough for her to deal with, until her house burns down and she and her mother suddenly move to stay with Sister Niema who lives in the 'hood. Going to public school in the 'hood is another ball of wax...until Amani's life is uprooted again to learn her parents are spies in a secret network of BIPOC operatives working to right injustices across the African disapora, and now her father is missing. Amani's parents kept her identity off the grid all her life and because of that, she's suddenly involved in the family business, transporting key usb files that can clear her father's name. There are plenty of suprises and suspenseful moments to keep readers engaged. Amani is 15 but this book is well-suited for middle school.… (plus d'informations)

Ateen spy is on her way to take down a White supremacist terrorist.

Andréa Hernández-Baldoquí is well aware that teenage girls are frequently underestimated, which is why at 14 she’s the perfect spy to uncover a White supremacist plot. Alongside her family—Puerto Rican mom, Mexican dad, and little brother Carlos—she works for the Factory, an intelligence organization that serves people of color, and now’s the time for her first complex mission: moving to Arizona and befriending Kyle Summer, the estranged son of a White supremacist who may be planning an attack in the Southwest. The catch, however, is why she was chosen: Among all their teen agents, she can best pass as White, and until she discovers intel on their target, Andréa will be posing as Andrea Burke. This fast-paced adventure, de León’s first for younger readers, takes audiences on the ride of a lifetime. Andréa spotlights racism, discovers friendship (after years of home schooling and constantly moving), develops her first crush, and deeply explores what it means to be Latine and a person of color. Social criticism is woven into a fun read centered on kids of color; the narrative is accessible and engaging, never shying away from difficult conversations about race and privilege or the many forms White supremacy can take. The cast of characters is rounded and three-dimensional, making Andréa’s story all the more believable.

An engaging, insightful adventure with a heartfelt conclusion. (author’s note) (Adventure. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review… (plus d'informations)

"But in reality, as our country is finally coming to understand, that level of wealth had the danger of leading to corruption, leading individuals to believe they can do anything and are exempt from the laws of our nation."

Thank you @cocoachapters and @kensingtonbooks for the gifted copies. Check out my stories for a chance to win a copy.

That Dangerous Energy by Aya DeLeon was a fast paced, crime novel that dealt with many contemporary and historical themes. I loved that it was female driven spy story that dealt with the climate crisis. DeLeon introduces the characters layer by layer and once the action kicks in, it's non-stop heart thumping until the end. DeLeon's writing is insightful and revelatory. The character development is strong and the fast-paced plot will keep you glued to the pages. The flashbacks to the main protagonist's family history added a nice touch to her personal growth story. I loved that this one was oozing with feminist energy throughout and showed how women can also be complicit in patriarchy and misogyny. It was interesting to see how DeLeon weaves identity and poverty into this story and shows how they affect choices women are forced to make.

I highly recommend this one if you're interested in:
💥 Afro-Boricua authors or Afro-Latinx representation/identity
💥 climate crisis and activism
💥intersectional feminism
💥 crime fiction & spy stories
💥 the role of Black women in activist movements
💥 anti-racism work
💥 corruption of power
💥 female driven thrillers & suspense
💥 Brooklyn, NY flavor
💥 fast paced crime fiction with a noir feel… (plus d'informations)