Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil

As summer draws to a close, 13-year-old Tia Lugo, who is Puerto Rican, looks forward to attending Camp Troy, sponsored by the New York City Parks Department. The night before sleepaway camp, however, her asthma flares; as Tia reaches for her inhaler, she witnesses a murder outside her bedroom window. When the murderer threatens her into silence, Tia gives up camp to ensure her family’s safety. Though Tia and her family don’t believe in her grandmother’s reliance on Puerto Rican traditions and remedies, she can’t help but visit the botanica for extra protection. While her best friend, Julius, who has green eyes and brown skin, searches for clues and suspects, Tia struggles with the guilt of not assisting the police and tries to make amends with the victim’s close friends. But tensions rise as the killer starts sending more messages and Tia feels him drawing closer. Vigilante (Saving Baby Doe) crafts a fast-paced thriller that takes place within a single week, while keeping the murder mystery thoroughly age-appropriate; a warm emphasis on community, integrity, and preserving individual histories rounds out the suspenseful narrative. Ages 10–14. (Aug.)