Unknowingly I read the Luz Goes Green series backwards. Or I read Luz Makes a Splash (Luz Goes Green, 2) by Claudia Davila before Luz Sees the Light (book one). That did not take away from the fact that I loved this book. Honestly this is probably the closest five I have read in awhile. Sure, there was one small bump, but that is forgivable. That bump was because the online reader I was reading didn’t have a lot of color. I would have loved to have seen more color on the pages. However, they are great otherwise as they flow and have a bit of spark to them.
And about the book all I am going to say is that when this series comes out, you grab them and read them and love them as much as I did! Fun and environmental causes come together for a hot time. But of course, you probably need more. In book two Luz (a young girl) and her friends are trying to beat the heat. They try a lot of things, but because of the drought the town has ordered them to not use water in the day, not to water gardens, or take long showers, plus they are having brownouts. Therefore, she and two of her friends go to the local pond. Not only can they cool off in the water by swimming, they can watch animals, like ducks. When they get there though, the pond is almost gone. Just mud, wilted plants and some sad ducks. This leads the trio, along with family, friends and the community to find a way to be environmentally friendly and to help the pond.
Book one Luz Sees the Light started the environmental messages. The community garden and Friendship Park made in this volume plays a role in book two, but here we learn how it came to be. This book is maybe not as strong as a lot of what happens (the making of the park) is not a new idea, but at the same time it is a great read. The tone of both books is upbeat, but still allows for the reader to feel the tension of what is going on. The pace is medium to fast and a lot is packed in, but we also are focused on one or two ideas overall.
Both books are due in May 2026 and I read them via an online reader copy. They are graphic novels that could go as young as 8 and up to a younger 13-14 year-old. However, due to the images (especially the cover) I am assuming it is aimed at the up to 12 year-old. However, if you wish to enjoy other goodies that Claudia Dávila has illustrated (these books seem to be her first solo) I recommend the two I read, Nansi V01 Way Off Track or Thunderboom. Or try Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War (CitizenKid), a book on my TBR.
