Doña Quixote: Rise of the Knight

Set in contemporary Texas, this Don Quixote retelling by Terciero (Northranger) and debut creator Magaña follows Mexican American tween Lucia embarking on an adventure to become a monster-hunting knight. Lucia grew up listening to her abuelo tell stories of his noble quests fighting paranormal creatures that only he could see in their Laredo, Tex., town. But his behaviors earned him the moniker “Abuelo Loco” from fellow residents. After his death, Lucia determines to follow in his footsteps, and her pursuits land Lucia and her tan-skinned, redheaded best friend Sandro in hot water with the mayor. When Lucia dons Abuelo’s suit of armor, which she finds in the attic, the outfit grants her the ability to see monsters. Guided by a ghostly woman known as La Mujer de Blanco, Lucia mistakes benign creatures for villains and wreaks havoc in her town, unintentionally unleashing a powerful evil that threatens their community and the world. The occasionally choppy plot teems with visually distinct characters and myriad supernatural creatures from Mexican lore. Vivid hues depict energetic action sequences that strike a skillful balance between fantastical scares and madcap adventure. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)