The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls

Tween Maggie Fishbone is unceremoniously whisked away from Mud Harbor Orphanage to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls in this subversive and captivating examination of adventure, lifelong learning, and sisterhood by Rossell (Wakestone Hall). Midwatch is nothing like the cheerless facility presented by its carefully maintained facade, and, upon arrival, Maggie learns that director Adelia Mandelay has cultivated a place of wonder that welcomes intersectionally diverse girls of all ages. As Maggie settles in alongside fellow first-years Nell and Sofie, whose hand was damaged in a circus accident, she’s soon pulled into investigations of local crimes at Miss Mandelay’s behest—after all, “being girls is a big advantage, because nobody suspects us, so we can go places without being noticed, and talk to kids, and find out things the police can’t.” Periodic interstitials titled “Useful Things Every Girl Should Know”—presented as excerpts from a book of the same name by Miss Mandelay—provide bite-size lessons, including ones on how to escape an alligator, how to dance the Charleston, how to shout extremely loudly, and more. Action and adventure abound in this German- and art deco–inspired world, which comes to life via b&w illustrations throughout. Ages 8–12. (May)