The Leopard Behind The Moon
No one knows what lies beyond the magical village door, but Ezomo is determined to find out. Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s Own Voices debut is an unforgettable coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and long-standing traditions. The power of storytelling comes to life in this novel perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tracey Baptiste, and Tae Keller.
There are three important laws in Ezomo’s village: Do not go to The Valley, do not go out at night, and never, ever, ever open the magical door that protects them all. But when Ezomo encounters the leopard believed to have killed his father, he and his two best friends embark on a journey that leads them past the boundaries set by their elders.
With his friends by his side, Ezomo chases after the leopard, certain that it has the power to cure all, and in the process he discovers the true history of his village, and that cautionary tales exist for a reason.
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s debut novel balances a gripping adventure with themes of friendship, identity, grief, and resilience. Poignant and memorable, Ezomo’s world is layered throughout with rich details that will appeal to readers of Grace Lin and Kelly Barnhill.
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There Flies The Witch
Available Now
Red may not know who her true family is, but she’s determined to find out where she truly belongs. Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s unforgettable sophomore novel is a literary, character-driven story about magic, nature, family, love, and betrayal. There Flies the Witch will enchant fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Grace Lin.
Red doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. In fact, her only memory is a terrifying, repeating dream of a threatening shadow and a foggy field. But after many years, she wonders if that’s just something she made up.
Red does know that she belongs now with Yakaka, the witch who rescued Red when she was a little girl. Full of power and magic, Yakaka travels the world, healing the planet when it calls for her help. Yakaka carries Red between the wings on her back during these journeys, teaching her skills of witchcraft, storytelling, and healing—skills Red can never seem to master.
After a dangerous mission leads to Yakaka and Red’s falling from a great height and into the roiling ocean, Red wakes up alone on a seemingly deserted island. Days later, a young boy and his mother find Red and help her heal. For the first time Red has a friend her own age to play and explore with, and a chance to live a different kind of life. But what happened to Yakaka?
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s sophomore novel is a literary, character-driven fantasy with themes of family, identity, belonging, and resilience. A truly extraordinary coming-of-age story for readers of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea, and Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island.
Amazon | BAM! | B&N | Bookshop | Little Shop of Stories | Politics and Prose | Target | Walmart
★ “Readers will be engrossed from start to finish.”
—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“Making use of many characteristics found in West African oral traditions, this tale is a joy to read.”
—The Horn Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
★ “This is absolutely not to be missed.”
—BCCB (STARRED REVIEW)
“A dreamy story that reads like an extended folktale.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“For readers who are fans of quiet adventures and (literal) magical
storytelling, this is one to hold near your heart.”
—Booklist
“Paasewe-Valchev crafts an imaginative story that feels at once otherworldly and inherently grounded in familiar themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery.”
—Publishers Weekly
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
The Leopard Behind The Moon
★ “Readers will be engrossed from start to finish.”
—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“Making use of many characteristics found in West African oral traditions, this tale is a joy to read.”
—The Horn Book
A Junior Library Guild
Gold Standard Selection
No one knows what lies beyond the magical village door, but Ezomo is determined to find out. Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s Own Voices debut is an unforgettable coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and long-standing traditions. The power of storytelling comes to life in this novel perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tracey Baptiste, and Tae Keller.
There are three important laws in Ezomo’s village: Do not go to The Valley, do not go out at night, and never, ever, ever open the magical door that protects them all. But when Ezomo encounters the leopard believed to have killed his father, he and his two best friends embark on a journey that leads them past the boundaries set by their elders.
With his friends by his side, Ezomo chases after the leopard, certain that it has the power to cure all, and in the process he discovers the true history of his village, and that cautionary tales exist for a reason.
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s debut novel balances a gripping adventure with themes of friendship, identity, grief, and resilience. Poignant and memorable, Ezomo’s world is layered throughout with rich details that will appeal to readers of Grace Lin and Kelly Barnhill.
Amazon | BAM! | B&N | Bookshop | Little Shop of Stories | Politics and Prose | Target | Walmart
There Flies The Witch
★ “This is absolutely not to be missed.”
—BCCB (STARRED REVIEW)
“A dreamy story that reads like an extended folktale.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“For readers who are fans of quiet adventures and (literal) magical
storytelling, this is one to hold near your heart.”
—Booklist
“Paasewe-Valchev crafts an imaginative story that feels at once otherworldly and inherently grounded in familiar themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery.”
—Publishers Weekly
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Red may not know who her true family is, but she’s determined to find out where she truly belongs. Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s unforgettable sophomore novel is a literary, character-driven story about magic, nature, family, love, and betrayal. There Flies the Witch will enchant fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Grace Lin.
Red doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. In fact, her only memory is a terrifying, repeating dream of a threatening shadow and a foggy field. But after many years, she wonders if that’s just something she made up.
Red does know that she belongs now with Yakaka, the witch who rescued Red when she was a little girl. Full of power and magic, Yakaka travels the world, healing the planet when it calls for her help. Yakaka carries Red between the wings on her back during these journeys, teaching her skills of witchcraft, storytelling, and healing—skills Red can never seem to master.
After a dangerous mission leads to Yakaka and Red’s falling from a great height and into the roiling ocean, Red wakes up alone on a seemingly deserted island. Days later, a young boy and his mother find Red and help her heal. For the first time Red has a friend her own age to play and explore with, and a chance to live a different kind of life. But what happened to Yakaka?
Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev’s sophomore novel is a literary, character-driven fantasy with themes of family, identity, belonging, and resilience. A truly extraordinary coming-of-age story for readers of Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Lauren Wolk’s Beyond the Bright Sea, and Laurel Snyder’s Orphan Island.