Marikit and the Ocean of Stars

September 1, 2022
A girl embarks on a journey in a magical land of Filipino deities and monsters. Ever since Marikit Lakandula's father and brother were lost at sea 3 years ago, her seamstress mother has only been able to give her hand-me-down clothes. All she wants for her 10th birthday is a blue dress that makes her look like a Diwata, or fairy, so the other children won't tease her anymore. Hating the patchwork birthday dress that her mother presents her with instead, Marikit runs away and hides. When she eventually returns home, an evil shadow follows her, revealing a magical secret: Her mother is a Diwata, and Marikit is a Halfling. She must go to the land of Engkantos to find the other half of her magic. With the help of new friends, Marikit explores Engkantos in hopes of saving herself from the shadow god. Thrust into a world of powerful gods, goddesses, nightmares, and spirits, she uses the dress her mother made, whose patterns form a map, to find the place marked by an X. Inspired by Filipino folklore and legends, this is an exciting quest full of heart. Through her choices and mistakes, Marikit finds courage and power, learns what is truly valuable, and comes to understand real sacrifice. There are many Filipino (mostly Tagalog) words woven into the text, with each chapter starting with a definition of a different term. A captivating tale of family, love, loss, and magic. (author's note, glossary) (Fantasy. 8-12)

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October 15, 2022
Grades 3-7 Philippine author Cruz brings to life magical creatures inspired by Filipino folklore dressed up in new hats. Marikit Lakandula does not have a lot of pretty things, even though her name--Marikit--means ""pretty."" On her tenth birthday, shadows suddenly appear after her mother gives her a gift of a magical patchwork dress. The shadows have been watching and following Marikit to steal her away, and soon she learns the truth: she is a halfling, and her mother is an Engkanto, an enchanted creature who plays tricks on humans. Marikit travels to the land of the Engkantos and must use the dress as a map to make a Diwata journey. Her adventures are interwoven with Filipino language and culture and filled with creatures such as the nightmarish aswangs and the one-eyed moon goddess Mayari. Like Alice stumbling down the rabbit hole, Marikit has memorable adventures that help her find her place in the world. A perfect read-alike for fans of Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) and Erin Entrada Kelly's Lalani of the Distant Sea (2019).

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 31, 2022
Nine-year-old Marikit was raised in a home filled with laughter until her father and brother were lost at sea. Now, the Lakandulas’ little house is “painfully quiet,” and Marikit’s sought-after seamstress mother, Nanay, can only provide hand-me-downs for her to wear. For her 10th birthday, Marikit requests “A dress. A new dress. A dress unlike any other”—a blue frock with fluttery sleeves, ruffles, and a big bow. Instead, she receives a patchwork gown, and a promise: “This dress is what you need. This dress will keep you safe.” When she refuses to wear the gift, and a shadow creature attempts to steal her away, Marikit discovers that Nanay is a powerful Diwata—a fairy—and that Marikit is a Diwata with half the power—a Halfling. The other half can be found in the land of the Engkantos, a magical realm where creatures and deities reside. With the help of Nanay’s magical dress, which has a beguiling spirit of its own, Marikit must attempt to save herself from the shadow god and return to the mortal world. Rooting this intricately built debut in Filipino culture and folklore, Avendaño Cruz conjures a smartly pitched fairy tale quest for fans of Catherynne M. Valente’s Fairyland series. Ages 8–12. Agent: Melanie Castillo, Root Literary.

November 1, 2022

Gr 3-7-Her name is the Filipino word for pretty, but nearly 10-year-old Marikit feels anything but in her hand-sewn hand-me-downs. She wants nothing more for her birthday than to look like a Diwata (fairy) in a sparkling blue dress. Her mother (Nanay) is the best seamstress in the barrio, but their once happy home is now filled only with the rat-tat-tat-tat-tat of the sewing machine after Marikit's brother and father are lost at sea while fishing. When her birthday arrives, Marikit is dismayed to receive another recycled dress. When evil shadows arrive, tempting her with a life of power, fancy clothes, and a plethora of food, she is swayed. The dress is a magical map that can guide her through the land of the enchanted creatures known as Engkantos. Once Marikit understands her role as a much sought-after Halfling, she embarks on a perilous journey through worlds that are equal parts beautiful and terrifying. With the aid of a firefly friend, Ali, their treacherous path uncovers hidden dangers and foes posing as friends. The cardinal rule Nanay has given Marikit is to never remove the dress; when she does, the notorious wolflike Aswangs steal it, and their hopes of finding their way without the magical map all but evaporate. Ultimately, Marikit's story is one of finding what is most important in life, through family and friends, and gratitude over material wealth. Debut author Cruz has created a richly woven Filipino adventure, one in which foods, culture, and religion abound. VERDICT With a plethora of fantasy novels geared to middle grades, this one stands out due to its beautiful exploration of Filipino culture and lyrical prose.-Michele Shaw

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