Windows & Mirrors: Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences.

Today we’re featuring Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes.

Before we get into this fun and wonderful story, I have to give a shout out about the cover, designed by award-winning artist Rafael López! Both beautiful and magnetic, it instantly made me want to read the book. And I’m glad I did!

Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring is the story of twelve-year-old Paloma, who travels with her professor mother to Mexico for the first time to learn about her deceased father’s heritage while her mother completes a four-week research fellowship. Soon after they arrive, Paloma finds herself involved in the mysterious disappearance of a unique ring, once owned by the famed artist Frida Kahlo. Even though she hadn’t been at all excited about spending her summer on a boring research trip, Paloma, a dedicated fan to Lulu Pennywhistle mysteries, is thrilled to be in the midst of a real-life investigation. Filled with fun characters and plot twists and turns, this love letter to Frida Kahlo is a wonderful read for mystery lovers ages 8+.

Things I love about the story:

Paloma’s voice is very authentic!
A wonderful introduction to quirky and fascinating Frida Kahlo!
Spanish words are smoothly integrated into the text!
The setting was lushly described. I felt like I’d gone to Mexico with Paloma!
Paloma is a clever heroine who must balance her dedication to following her mother’s wishes with her passion for justice!
A fun mystery that also explores the complications of friendships!

Listen to Angela talk about Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring!

Angela Cervantes is an award-winning author whose debut book, Gaby, Lost and Found, was named Best Youth Chapter book by the International Latino Book Awards and a Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2014. Angela’s second middle grade novel, Allie, First At Last, was released by Scholastic in Spring 2016 and received a starred-review from Kirkus. Angela also authored the junior novelization for Disney/Pixar’s animated-film, Coco. Angela’s next novel, Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring, will be released by Scholastic Press on March 27, 2018. She writes from her home in Kansas City and is presently working on her next middle grade novel to be released by Scholastic in 2019.