The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls

Gr 3-7–Maggie Fishbone is worried when she is taken from the orphanage in Mud Harbor and dropped off at the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls. Yet, she and two other new girls—Nell and Sofie—soon learn that they are not at a grim, cheerless institute and instead at an adventurous school that trains girls in all manner of useful skills. Maggie takes fencing, German, drawing, hiding, dancing and other classes valuable for beginning spies and detectives. Quickly, she and the other first years are on the case in search of a kidnapped botanist, a jewel thief, and a “night monster” terrorizing the city. Throughout the book are excerpts from Useful Things Every Girl Should Know, written by the school’s director, Miss Mandelay, including helpful ways to escape quicksand and memorize Morse code. The book mixes the right amount of humor, whimsy, friendship, and mystery that will delight and engage most middle grades readers. The book’s black-and-white illustrations illuminate the vivid textual imagery and add to this thoroughly entertaining read.