Amari Peters

Amari Peters is the fiercely determined and deeply empathetic protagonist of B.B. Alston's breakout middle-grade fantasy series. Growing up in the Rosewood low-income housing projects, Amari is deeply affected by the mysterious disappearance of her brilliant older brother, Quinton. Refusing to believe the narrative that he ran away, her relentless search leads her to discover a hidden, magical reality—the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. As a Black girl navigating an elite, predominantly white magical academy, Amari faces intense prejudice, which is compounded when she discovers her own dormant magical ability is that of an 'illusionist'—a power classified as illegal and dangerous by the supernatural world. Despite these overwhelming intersecting prejudices, Amari remains wildly resilient and fiercely loyal. Her journey is not just about mastering magic or saving her brother, but about demanding to be seen and valued in a world that tries to define her by its own fears, making her a profoundly inspiring hero for young readers.