Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy don’t realize two things when they take an old book and some paper mâché puppets from their aunts cupboard: the items have historical significance and they are being reported as stolen. They know their aunt didn’t steal them, and to make sure she’s not blamed for it, they travel back in time to make things right.

Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy is the story of their fantastical journey. The three end up in Depression-era New York City, when people were struggling and when some news reports whipped up anti-Puerto Rican sentiments. Right away they run across a woman who sees them as hooligans, and believing the book is stolen, she takes it from them.

To get it back and figure out what to do with all three items to safeguard them for the future, the cousins call on a whole community of kids and parents and librarians and poets and more. It’s a fun adventure that’s sure to appeal to readers aged 9 to 12.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book for review.