Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is a 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is the first novel in the Paola Santiago series, followed by Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (2021) and Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (2022).

The series follows Paola Santiago, a space-obsessed nerd whose friend disappears after walking by a forbidden river. Paola, along with her other friend Dante, must venture there to find her, and meet the Niños de la Luz, a group of children who have gone missing.

Reception
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears was well-received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,  Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

Booklist 's Selenia Paz wrote, "This fast-paced journey into Latinx folklore, with its clever protagonist, is sure to keep readers turning pages into the night." 

Kirkus said the novel is a "fantastic and fantastical debut," writing, "Mejia’s writing is fast-paced and engaging, as the colorful imagery places readers in Southwestern cacti fields and in the tumultuous mindset of an insecure 12-year-old. For all its exploration of Pao’s internal landscape, there is action aplenty".

Multiple reviewers commented on Mejia's inclusion of "realistic plot points" in this fantastical novel, including "socioeconomic and immigration concerns, the tension between science and superstition".

Publishers Weekly also highlighted how the author "draws upon [their] Latinx heritage to conjure creatures from folklore, such as chupacabras, La Llorona", "wailing ghost woman, and other dark creatures".  Shelf Awareness 's Shelley Diaz also praised how Mejia "adeptly showcases [...] details about Mexican American culture".

Reviewers also mentioned the novel's character development. Publishers Weekly wrote, "Complicated emotional development is a particular strength—Paola wrestles with issues of anger and forgiveness, mother-daughter strife, and the new 'boy-girl weirdness' between her and Dante en route to becoming a reluctant hero". Shelley Diaz, writing for Shelf Awareness, noted how Paola helped "[imbue the] middle-grade debut with vulnerability and fierceness".

Diaz also commented on how "clever chapter headings add humor in between harrowing scenes, and duplicitous characters will keep readers guessing whom to trust".

Television adaptation
A live action Disney+ series was announced on February 8, 2022.