THE HUNGRY GHOSTS

This is a middle grade debut by Miguel Flores - a tale of magic and found family and the power of being yourself, even when the world asks you to change.

Magicks - and most importantly witches - have been banned from Arrett for years. Which is why Milly has ignored the tingling light that appears anytime she conjures up a wish. She has too many responsibilities as the oldest girl at St. George's Orphanage to get caught up in magicks.

But sweet, quirky Cilla has always longed for them - and in a case of mistaken identity, she's kidnapped by an angry witch with a wizard hot on her trail. Milly, desperate to bring Cilla back to St. George's, sets out to find her - with only a sarcastic young Wind stuck in the form of a cat as her companion. But Milly may have to face the stirrings of forbidden magicks inside herself in order to rescue a friend who has become more like a sister.

For fans of Pages & Co., told in a snappy, Lemony Snicket-esque voice, this tale of witchcraft and adventure is sure to tug at your heartstrings.

Miguel was the winner of our We Need Diverse Books contest, held in collaboration with the 40th Anniversary of ROLL OF THUDER, HEAR MY CRY by Mildred Taylor. Penguin Young Readers and We Need Diverse Books sent out the call for unagented authors of color to submit their novels for consideration, and with all of PYR chipping in to read submissions, Miguel was handpicked from hundreds of applicants as our winner.