4 ⭐ CW: Bullying, ableism 

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes is book one in the Storm Runner series. This middle grade fantasy is Percy Jackson meets Maya mythology. This was a fun, fast paced read with disabled Mexican-American MC. 

We follow 13 year old Zane in New Mexico with a volcano in his backyard. Zane has been getting homeschooled in order to stay away from the bullies that call him names like Sir-Limps-A-Lot and McGimpster, until he is admitted to a private school. He meets a new girl there that turns his life upside down. Turns out, Zane is destined to release the god of death and destruction, and is being stalked by demons until he releases their boss. His dog Rosie gives everything to protect him, and Zane is determined to save her from the underworld. Things get way more complicated than he is ready for, and has run ins with all kinds of gods and creatures from Mayan myth. 

This was a great introduction to Maya mythology and great Latinx representation. The characters were wonderful. Zane's wrestling obsessed uncle; Brooks the girl who can shapeshift into a hawk; a grumpy chicken seer; an old man with a deadly Chile; and the most loyal doggo. One of the major themes was about accepting your disability without letting it define you. The story doesn't aim to fix or cure the disability, but makes it the thing that is special about Zane. 

Another great middle grade series from Rick Riordan Presents!