The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy

Timed to the arrival of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cervantes (Into the Shadows) scores an energetic, crowd-pleasing mystery steeped in tournament hype. After an embarrassing misunderstanding ends with sixth grader Diez Espada—a struggling soccer player and aspiring detective—taking the fall for popular classmate Rio Salvatierra’s pilfering of the school mascot costume, Rio unexpectedly extends to Diez an invitation to the year’s most exclusive party in Miami, hosted by her well-connected parents. Held at the glamorous Las Palmas hotel, where Diez’s father works as a valet manager, the event boasts celebrities, professional athletes, and its biggest attraction: the World Cup Trophy. During the party, the trophy vanishes amid the chaos after a storm knocks out the power. Fortunately, among the attendees is famed Detective Enzo, whom Diez’s late librarian and mystery-loving mother greatly admired, prompting the tween to spring into action, eager to assist in the investigation. Cervantes interweaves glamour, sports, and even a talking bird into an exhilarating whodunit helmed by a sympathetic, charismatic protagonist. Sensitive ruminations on grief and remembrance, emphasized through Diez’s honoring his mother by following in her literary footsteps, anchor this suspenseful adventure. Main characters are Latinx; Spanish dialogue is woven throughout. Ages 8–12. Agent: Adriana Dominguez, Aevitas Creative Management. (May)