Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wild retro tale of girl power and useful knowledge.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Maggie Fishbone has heard all the awful stories about THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS and fears the worst when she ends up there after being expelled from the orphanage for pushing a bully into a pond. Also fearing the worst are Nell (dumped there for being "useless" and wanting an education) and Sofie (a young circus acrobat with a hand injury that made her "useless" also). But as they soon find out, the creepy stories and gloomy front are carefully manufactured to shield what's really going on: learning cool stuff, making new friends, solving crimes, and foiling villains. Welcomed happily by their fellow First Years, they're soon trying to find a librarian's vanished friend, as a monster terrorizes the city by night and the town's richer residents seem to be losing an awful lot of jewelry.
Is It Any Good?
Holy mackerel, this is a delightful and wild ride of a book! Judith Rossell spins and illustrates an appealing, retro tale of airships, motorcars, monsters, jewel thieves, and a school for tween girl crimefighters. Sent to The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by people who call them useless and want to get rid of them, Maggie, Nell, and Sofie soon prove to be valued members of a lively, supportive team. Young readers will see themselves reflected in the personalities, interests, and inner worries of the characters, and cheer their moments of triumph. The quirky, old-school narrative and the detailed black-and-white images of a 1920s-ish world are a visit to a simpler time where "Holy heck!" is strong language.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories of outcasts and misfits, like the "useless" characters in The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls, who come together, have fun, and do important, interesting things instead of being limited by those who scorn them. Why do you think this is such a popular storytelling theme, and what other stories do you think tell it well?
Do you speak more than one language? If so, have you found it handy sometimes? What happened? If not, what language would you like to learn?
Do you like stories set in the olden days, or would you rather they stuck with the present?
The characters work together to solve mysteries and crimes. What makes their teamwork work so well? Talk about what it takes to be a good team member.
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Judith Rossell
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : May 27, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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