Lisa Stringfellow crafts middle grade fiction, often weaving in a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. Her narratives frequently draw upon her West Indian and Black Southern heritage, infusing her stories with unique cultural perspectives. She finds her happiest moments in the classroom, championing the right of all children to find themselves reflected within the pages of books.
Set in a once-vibrant land now reduced to a desert, Amara embarks on a quest to restore her kingdom after the disappearance of the magical griots. With her origins shrouded in mystery and doubts about a curse, she must flee from the king's guards alongside her foster mother, Zirachi. Driven by the belief that goddess Oala protects her, Amara seeks to uncover the truth and bring back the magic and prosperity to Kun before it disappears forever.
Set against the backdrop of Caribbean folklore, Lisa Stringfellow's spellbinding middle grade debut tells of a grieving girl and a vengeful mermaid and will enchant readers who loved Kacen Callender's Hurricane Child or Christian McKay Heidicker's Scary Stories for Young Foxes.