THE SERPENT'S SECRET (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, #1), by Sayantani DasGupta

The story: Kiranmala gets something unexpected on her birthday: a rakkhosh--a type of demon from the mythology of India--attacks her house and wants to eat her. Luckily, a couple of handsome prince also come along to rescue her. Kiran finds out that she's the daughter of the Serpent King (kind of a downer) and that time is running out to find and rescue her adoptive parents from New Jersey. Good thing she also came into some unexpected powers! Who knew that turning 12 would be such a trip?!?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult PG-13; G:BT content G; adult themes (being a demi-god in disguise...now that's something new...) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: Yet another entry into the sub-genre known as "Rick Riordan wanna-bes". There's plenty of action and adventure here, but not all of it actually moves the story forward: the author seems so intent on introducing the reader to a vast trove of Indian folk tales that they occasionally begin to seem randomly applied. However, Percy Jackson fans who are looking for a heroine will be happy, and the title will add some diversity to the collection. Purchase for upper ES and MS libraries (or wait and get it in paperback from the book fair, cuz...Scholastic).