Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild violence in fast, fun, and playful mystery caper.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE MISFITS #1: A ROYAL CONUNDRUM, Olive Cobin Zang finds herself at a new school all of a sudden. This school, however, seems different, as it used to be a "Reforming Arts School" and is now a school for the "artistically adventurous," whatever that is supposed to mean. After some weird training and odd placement exams, Olive is thrust into a group of misfits who together will help solve crimes, thwart criminals, and help those in need. An upcoming public function with a lot of expensive jewelry up for the taking is the perfect heist waiting to happen, and Olive and her friends know they'll have to do everything they can to stop it. But will they be able to work together to stop the heist?
Is It Any Good?
This middle grade mystery adventure novel reads quickly and is a blast to get through. The main characters in The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum are fun to get to know, and main character Olive Zang is a strong Asian American girl lead. While some might feel that the supporting cast could have received more individual attention, backstory, and moments to shine, the group is still entertaining, funny, and realistic as a bunch of misfit kids doing their best to save the day. They each have particular skills, talents, areas of expertise, and unique characteristics, and they bounce off Olive in fun ways along their adventures. Hopefully author Lisa Yee explores the other characters more deeply in future installments. The mystery takes a minute to get going, but once it does, it's difficult to stop reading until the final reveals. The conclusion satisfyingly wraps up all the logical questions of the mystery and as everything comes barreling toward the chaotic finale, it is rewarding to see Olive and her friends win the day. Dan Santat's black and white pencil illustrations are alive with motion and expressiveness and help bring the text alive for readers. Additional twists even beyond the ending will entice readers to come back for the next book in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in mystery adventure middle grade novels. Was any of the violence in The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum too scary? Is violence in books different thatn in movies or on TV? why or why not?
How do Olive and her friends show courage and teamwork? How do they encourage good friendship throughout their adventure?
What was your favorite gadget or piece of technology the misfits got to use? Do you think their gadgets might ever be possible in the real world?
Did you guess who the master thief was before the ending? What clues did you miss?
Which of Olive's friends is your favorite and why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dan Santat
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 2, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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