XOLO

The Aztec god of lightning, death, and misfortune gets a much-needed reevaluation in this wonderfully rousing retelling of humanity’s origins.

After all life perishes on Earth, the gods move to revitalize the planet. Each deity claims mastery over an element. The mighty serpent god Quetzalcoatl chooses the wind; his dog-headed twin brother, Xolotl, takes lightning, hoping for a sliver of brotherly affection. “Shouldn’t my own twin notice me for once? But Quetzalcoatl never did.” Adopting an affectionate tone, Newbery Medalist Higuera frames the narration around Xolo’s self-effacing voice, a prolonged plea for compassion that will reverberate with readers. When the outcast god of the Underworld threatens to prevent humanity’s return, the other deities make a temporary sacrifice by hurling themselves into a volcano. Too fearful to go through with it, Xolo finds himself ostracized, but he summons the courage to resurrect humanity, with help from his brother, who gets all the glory for their joint act. Wistful in tone, this reshaped myth skillfully deconstructs its unsung hero. With great success, Higuera explores very human issues such as self-doubt, social isolation, and the nuances of community through these larger-than-life figures; her work rings out with a powerful sense of emotive resonance. Inspired by the Codex Borgia—a pre-Columbian Aztec manuscript—Ruiz Johnson’s artwork blooms with vibrant colors, imposing characters, and evocative landscapes.

A magnificent spin on a well-known Aztec legend.