THE LEOPARD BEHIND THE MOON

No one knows what lies beyond the village door, but Ezomo is determined to find out. From debut author Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev, this is a remarkable coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and the power of storytelling for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, and Tracey Baptiste.

There are three important laws in Ezomo's village: Don't go to The Valley, don't go out at night, and never, ever, ever open the door that protects them all.

But when Ezomo encounters the leopard believed to have killed his father, he and his two friends embark on a journey that leads them past the boundaries set by their elders. Ezomo's mother immediately falls deathly ill, and Ezomo doesn't believe that it's a coincidence. Even though he wasn't able to save his father, Ezomo hopes he can save her. He receives a hint that the cure can be found behind the village door, in the Valley. With his friends by his side, Ezomo discovers the true history of his village, and that cautionary tales exist for a reason.

This voice-driven debut balances a gripping adventure with themes of friendship, identity, and grief. Layered throughout with rich details, this will be an extraordinary addition to the bookshelves of readers who love Grace Lin and Kelly Barnhill.

Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev is a writer and a reader. Born in Liberia, she was exposed to a culture of oral storytelling at a young age. She lived in the Netherlands for several years where she learned to stuff her klompen (wooden shoes) with carrots and developed a love for reading stories - especially tales written by Roald Dahl and Astrid Lindgren. She lives in Georgia with her family.