Los héroes gemelos y la magia de la canción

(Leyendas de la serpiente emplumada #2)
By David Bowles, Charlene Bowles
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En esta novela gráfica que reinventa un cuento indígena mexicano, los gemelos semidioses usan la magia de la canción para rescatar a su padre y a su tío de la peligrosa tierra de los muertos. Una aventura suprema de grado medio!

In this graphic novel retelling of an Indigenous Mexican tale, demigod twins must use their magic of song to rescue their father and uncle from the perilous Land of the Dead. A supreme middle-grade adventure!

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Front cover for The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song by David Bowles; David Bowles
This book is also available in English
The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song
By David Bowles, Charlene Bowles

Description

En la época en que los semidioses mayas vivían entre nosotros, dos hermanos despreocupados, Uno Hunahpu y Siete Hunahpu, son atraídos a Xibalbá, la Tierra de los Muertos, para jugar. Desafortunadamente, fue un viaje sin regreso. Incapaces de regresar al mundo rodeado de mar, los hijos primogénitos de Uno Hunahpu deben ser criados por su abuela.

Sin embargo, no toda esperanza está perdida. En Xibalbá, Uno Hunahpu conoce a la rebelde Lady Blood, y su amor conduce a otro par de hijos gemelos, destinados a salvar a su padre y a su tío y restaurar el equilibrio del cosmos. ¡Pero no será fácil! Lady Blood es rechazada en el mundo de arriba, y los gemelos se burlan de las crueles bromas de sus medio hermanos. Si eligen usar un poco de magia engañosa, tal vez… sólo tal vez… puedan tener éxito.

Adaptada de los recuentos y traducciones del autor David Bowles de textos precolombinos esenciales como el Popol Vuh, la serie Cuentos de la serpiente emplumada da vida a las historias indígenas mesoamericanas para los lectores jóvenes.

In the age when Maya demigods lived among us, two carefree brothers, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, are lured to Xibalba, the Land of the Dead, to play a game. Unfortunately, it is a one-way trip. Unable to return to the sea-ringed world above, One Hunahpu’s firstborn sons must be raised by their grandmother.

Yet all hope is not lost. Down in Xibalba, One Hunahpu meets the rebellious Lady Blood, and their love leads to another set of twin sons, destined to save their father and uncle and restore balance to the cosmos. But it won’t be easy! Lady Blood is shunned in the world above, and the twins are taunted by their half-brothers’ cruel pranks. If they choose to use a little trickster magic, maybe… just maybe… they might succeed.

Adapted from author David Bowles’s retellings and translations of essential pre-Columbian texts like the Popol Vuh, the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series brings Indigenous Mesoamerican stories to life for young readers!

About the Creators

David Bowles

David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from South Texas, where he teaches literature and Nahuatl at the University of Texas Río Grande Valley. Among his forty published books are the multiple-award-winning They Call Me Güero, The Prince & the Coyote, and Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico, as well as the series Garza Twins, 13th Street, and Clockwork Curandera. He is the current president of the Texas Institute of Letters.

Charlene Bowles

Charlene Bowles is a Mexican American comic artist and illustrator from South Texas. In addition to the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series, she has illustrated several readers for educational programs and designed the covers of multiple comics and books, including the Garza Twins series. She is presently writing her first children's book and graphic novel.

Reviews

  • "Immersive, magical, and undeniably clever."J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author

    - J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author
  • "This book has it all! Magic, music, and mayhem. . . . David Bowles and Charlene Bowles are masters at bringing these ancient stories to life with contemporary comedic pacing and beautifully crafted artwork."

    - Pedro Martín, award-winning author-illustrator of Mexikid
  • "My 9-year-old son and were absolutely entranced by this empowering, action-packed and authentic Mesoamerican story. His first question after finishing: 'When's the next one coming out?'"Julio Anta, Eisner Award-nominated author of Frontera and This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story and Home

    - Julio Anta, Eisner Award-nominated author of Frontera and This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story and Home
  • "These books transport you to a rich and vibrant world of gods, demigods, and magic. I fell in love with the bold and expressive art style — such strong linework and detailed costuming! This series has piqued my interest in indigenous folklore in my own family — what knowledge have we lost to violent colonialism, and what stories remain?"

    - Christine Suggs, creator of ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico
  • "Straightforward and humorous language paired with clear, eye-catching comics-style illustrations make this an engaging retelling of a selection from the Mayan Popol Vuh."

    - The Horn Book
  • "This latest installment in David Bowles' series devoted to Mesoamerican folklore weaves demigod-filled bombast with fanciful hijinks, star-crossed romance, and heaps of humor. Charlene Bowles' artwork continues to leverage bold lines, earthy tones, and fluid action to further delight. An engrossing tale of fledgling heroics."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781947627703
  • Price $15.95
  • Publication Date Apr 15, 2025
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 7 in
  • Weight N/A
  • Page Count 80
  • Interests

  • Imprint Cinco Puntos Press
  • Audience Middle Grade
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Places / Mexico
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
  • Themes Courage, Cultural Diversity, Diversity, Families, Fantasy, Fiction, Folktale / Folklore / Traditional Literature, Grandparents, Graphic Novel, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Middle Grade, Overcoming Obstacles, Siblings, Spanish
  • Languages Spanish
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 13
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 8
  • Guided Reading V
  • Spanish Guided Reading V
  • DRA 50
  • Interest Level Grades 4 - 8
  • Reading Level Grades 5 - 6
  • Bebop Reading Fluent