The Fire Serpent Legacy by Cindy L. Rodriguez

What worked:

Auri’s parents died when she was an infant, and she compares her life to a puzzle with missing pieces. Many books save the truth about lost parents until later, but readers learn early that her father rode a fire serpent and protected the Amazon jungle. She realizes that the large egg displayed in her grandmother’s cabinet holds the last fire serpent and wants to follow her parents’ wishes by returning it to Brazil. Auri feels an electrical charge up her arms when she touches the egg, which lets readers know she has a special connection with the Boitatás. Readers will anxiously await the moment the egg hatches, giving the story a jump start.

The book weaves elements of the Portuguese/Brazilian culture and the Amazon Forest into the story. The importance of the rainforest to Earth's survival is emphasized, and deforestation is the main conflict in the plot. The characters prepare Portuguese dishes, and Auri and her sister learn about unique fruits and foods found in Brazil. Auri’s aunt mostly speaks Portuguese, and Auri’s sister has refreshed her knowledge of the language to become fluent. Portuguese words and phrases add authenticity to the story, and readers can figure out most of their meanings using the context. Auri also interprets some of the vocabulary, although she struggles with the language herself.

The conflict is complicated by Auri’s uncle, since he’s a major player in the destruction of the local environment. Auri’s grandmother goes so far as to warn Auri to stay away from her uncle, because he’s a dangerous man. In addition, a group of Amazon protectors used to support the efforts of the Boitatás, but they’re no longer active. Many of them think it’s most important to save the last Boitatás, which is why Auri’s grandmother took the egg to the United States. Consequently, Auri doesn’t know who might be willing to help her and the newly hatched Boitatás. Some people will want Sergio taken out of the country to keep him safe, but Auri is determined to stop the deforestation.

What didn’t work as well:

Sergio’s reaction to Auri after hatching is a little confusing. The tingling she feels when touching the egg implies they’re already forming a bond, yet the Boitatás is defensive and frightened toward Auri when they first meet. They quickly become close, but that initial meeting is surprising.

The final verdict:

This exciting adventure addresses a real-world issue: deforestation. The issue may be news to many young readers, but the book’s message is vitally important for them to hear. I recommend you try this book for yourself.