THE BOY, THE MOUNTAIN, AND THE SERPENT WHO ATE THE MOON

Three children must contend with self-doubt, monsters from Filipino folklore, and an everlasting night to find their way home.

For years, people in the fictional town of Santo Cristo have been disappearing; the missing are referred to simply as the Losts. During the annual town fiesta, 12-year-old Bayani, his younger sister Isay, and their cousin Aaron wander off. After crossing an unusual bridge that grows legs and runs away, they find themselves in the Land Beyond, a mysterious place shrouded in endless night. They soon meet a Kapre, a treelike creature who tells them that they must find the bridge and “light [their] way out of this land.” Armed with nothing but candles, Bayani, Isay, and Aaron venture deeper into the night, where they encounter not only monsters, but also other Losts. When the three become separated, they must define what bravery means for themselves and hold on to hope in order to chart a path home. Cruz seamlessly weaves Filipino folklore into this atmospheric and charming adventure, balancing the story’s darker elements with moments of humor and themes of hope and friendship. Words from Tagalog and other Filipino languages are naturally incorporated into the story, and context clues will make it easy for readers who don’t speak the languages to pick up on their meaning. Each chapter includes a subtitle hinting at its content.

An enchanting and whimsical story about finding light within darkness.