The Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves

In this thought-provoking graphic novel debut by Mitchell (The Haunted Serpent), a tween with the power to alter people’s personalities struggles to navigate her tumultuous reality. After her marine biologist mother’s fish tank business goes under, 12-year-old Millie and her family—including her laid-back physics professor father and her jokester younger sister, Gilly—must move into a cramped apartment. When Millie encounters elderly Mrs. Morrigan, she realizes that her neighbor’s mysterious jigsaw puzzles grant Millie the ability to bend reality to her will, and Millie wishes both that stand-up-comedian-hopeful Gilly were more sensible and that her mom’s business was successful. While she relishes in the changes, however, reality around her begins to fracture, forcing Millie to confront the cosmic reverberations of playing with fate. Dynamic panel layouts and thinly lined, detailed illustrations evoke a lightly eerie Tim Burton feel that emanates absurdity and warmth in equal measure. Millie’s relatable desire to control the events and people around her as she attempts to make sense of her rapidly changing life culminates in an enchanting, emotionally resonant modern fairy tale. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. (May)