Students asking for stories about cryptids? Adrianna Cuevas gives them a refuge full of legendary creatures in Mischief and Monsters. This middle grade adventure pairs the fun of discovering what might be hiding in the woods with questions about capitalism, conservation, and censorship.
Mischief and Monsters has been added to my September 2026 – New Release Spotlight list on Amazon.
Author: Adrianna Cuevas
Genre: ecofiction, folklore, speculative fiction
Setting: Yaupon Creek Wildlife Refuge (fictional), Texas, USA
Themes: cryptids, being tall, environmental impact of drilling for natural gas, wildlife protection, conservation, grandfathers, book bans, information control, capitalism, censorship, finding one's own voice, misinformation, manipulation of a community, scapegoating
Protagonist: male, age 12. Cuban American, 6th grader
Recommended for: Grades 3-7
Starred reviews: SLJ
Publication date: September 22, 2026
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Twelve-year-old Jordi Acosta would love to be invisible. But at six feet tall, that’s unlikely.
Then his wildlife biologist mom makes him spend spring break volunteering at Yaupon Creek Wildlife Refuge, where he discovers her biggest secret: the refuge protects cryptids!
When a natural gas company pushes to expand its drilling operations, livestock are injured and local property is damaged. The cryptids take the blame, but Jordi and his friends suspect someone is manipulating the town. To protect the creatures and their home, Jordi will have to speak up.
WHY MISCHIEF AND MONSTERS STANDS OUT
The cryptids are an irresistible hook, especially for readers who already love swapping stories about mysterious creatures. Cuevas uses that curiosity to explore conservation, fear of the unknown, and the harm caused when people accept an easy explanation without asking questions.
A school library book ban adds another issue kids may recognize and care about: who controls the stories they’re allowed to read? What do book censors gain by controlling information?
With humor, suspense, and Texas and Latin American folklore, this is an excellent pick for Grades 4–7.
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