Twelve year old, Giada Bellantuono’s family want her to become a magical healer like the rest of her relatives. But Giada prefers animals to people and wants to use her powers to help creatures.

She’s frustrated by their expectations that she follow in their footsteps and those of her perfect brother Rocco. In a moment of anger she wishes Rocco would disappear. And he does… kidnapped by a group of witches that live underneath her city.

Now Giada has to go on a journey to rescue her brother and prove to her family that her true calling is different from theirs.

How to Heal a Gryphon is filled with Italian culture and traditional folklore. It is written for middle graders but I think you’ll love it if you’re a fan of Disney’s Encanto or Pixar’s Luca, no matter how old you are.