Dangerous Allies

The Forgotten Five, Book 4

By: Lisa McMann

Narrated by: Jeremy Carlisle Parker

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

X-Men meets Spy Kids in the fourth installment of The Forgotten Five middle-grade fantasy/adventure series by the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds.

Following an explosive showdown with President Fuerte and his supernatural henchmen, the forgotten five and their allies are feeling lost. Their trusted friend and mentor The Librarian has left the group and declared her loyalty to the corrupt president. Has the Librarian really abandoned them in their quest to take down Fuerte’s regime, or has she been kidnapped?

Then, without warning, Troy Cordoba—Tenner’s dad, who has been working for Fuerte for years—shows up at the five’s safe house wanting to join their cause but accidentally leading the presidential guards right to their doorstep. Troy insists that he has changed for the better, but Tenner isn’t sure he can be trusted.

Meanwhile, Magdalia Palacio’s election campaign is gaining steam. If she’s against the president, does that make her the five’s ally?

The kids will have to decide who to put their faith in—and fast—before the president uses his supernatural army to crush his opponent and cement his criminal rule over Estero once and for all.

©2024 Lisa McMann (P)2024 Listening Library

Inclusive and well-rounded

I love that this series allows the children to be real and relatable. It’s fun for all ages and engaging.

Author decides to cross the line and teach non binary gender and sexual identity in this children’s book.

Our family has listened to this authors books for many years, especially when we travel. We have a large span in our children’s age, and her books have been enjoyable for all ages. This book decides to take the opportunity to teach non-binary sexual identity. During that portion of the book it became obvious she was trying to teach something that we didn’t feel comfortable with in a children’s book. We became uncomfortable, and we turned the book off. I returned it for my credit. Historically this author has written to a certain demographic reader and it appears she is not interested in that demographic anymore. Parents put a lot of trust into authors to entertain and teach their children with their writing. This book did not earn our trust as parents, and in fact, she’s lost our trust. As a parent, I’m glad I was listening to the book with my children. It may have seemed like a little conversation that she might’ve not thought was important or significant, but the message was clear what she was trying to teach, and when an author crosses that line, they’ve taking a stand that they want to teach young children their mindset. Very disappointing.