THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS
BY JUDITH ROSSELL | PUBLICATION: MAY 27, 2025DIAL BOOKS | GENRE: MIDDLE-GRADE MYSTERY
RATING: ★★★★✬
"A must-read for middle-grade lovers and anyone who believes in the power of learning and compassion."
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For fans of The Swifts and A Series of Unfortunate Events comes the story
of a young orphan at the edge of society who finds herself at the center
of a city’s secrets.
Maggie Fishbone is not expecting much when she’s sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls—the last resort after causing a ruckus at the orphanage where she was living. Except . . . the Institute isn’t some dreadful, dreary place like she thought.
Instead it’s full of curious girls training to solve mysteries, fight bad guys, and keep the city safe. In between fencing lessons and discovering all the shortcuts in the building, Maggie finds herself making friends at the Midwatch and finally feeling like she’s home. And when a woman goes missing, Maggie’s off on her first assignment, with each step leading her deeper into the secrets of the city.
With gorgeous black-and-white illustrations and pages of “Useful Things Every Girl Should Know” (like how send messages in morse code and how to shout extremely loudly), The Midwatch is a whimsical, adventure-filled mystery from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell.
Maggie Fishbone is not expecting much when she’s sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls—the last resort after causing a ruckus at the orphanage where she was living. Except . . . the Institute isn’t some dreadful, dreary place like she thought.
Instead it’s full of curious girls training to solve mysteries, fight bad guys, and keep the city safe. In between fencing lessons and discovering all the shortcuts in the building, Maggie finds herself making friends at the Midwatch and finally feeling like she’s home. And when a woman goes missing, Maggie’s off on her first assignment, with each step leading her deeper into the secrets of the city.
With gorgeous black-and-white illustrations and pages of “Useful Things Every Girl Should Know” (like how send messages in morse code and how to shout extremely loudly), The Midwatch is a whimsical, adventure-filled mystery from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell.
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"Holy Mackerel!"
Judith Rossell’s THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS is a delightful, whimsical mystery that wraps adventure, heart, and empowerment into one beautifully illustrated package. It follows Maggie Fishbone—a spirited orphan who finds herself at a school unlike any other.
Sent to the Midwatch Institute after causing a stir at her previous orphanage, Maggie expects gloom and punishment. Instead, she discovers a vibrant world where girls are trained to solve mysteries, defend the city, and grow into their best selves. With fencing lessons, secret passages, and a missing person case to unravel, Maggie’s journey is one of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
🌟 What Makes This Book Shine:
Judith Rossell’s THE MIDWATCH INSTITUTE FOR WAYWARD GIRLS is a delightful, whimsical mystery that wraps adventure, heart, and empowerment into one beautifully illustrated package. It follows Maggie Fishbone—a spirited orphan who finds herself at a school unlike any other.
Sent to the Midwatch Institute after causing a stir at her previous orphanage, Maggie expects gloom and punishment. Instead, she discovers a vibrant world where girls are trained to solve mysteries, defend the city, and grow into their best selves. With fencing lessons, secret passages, and a missing person case to unravel, Maggie’s journey is one of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
🌟 What Makes This Book Shine:
• A Joyful Adventure: The story is packed with excitement, warmth, and the thrill of discovery.• Found Family: Maggie’s bond with the other girls is tender and uplifting—a reminder that belonging can be found in unexpected places.• Gentle Wisdom: The Institute offers a safe space to make mistakes, learn, and be guided with compassion.• Empowering Message: Knowledge is the greatest weapon—even the smallest, most frightened characters can rise when armed with understanding.• Charming Extras: The “Useful Things Every Girl Should Know” pages are clever, practical, and full of charm.• Gorgeous Illustrations: The cover and interior art add depth and whimsy to the reading experience.
This book is a celebration of curiosity, kindness, and courage. It’s a reminder that every child deserves a gentle hand and a safe place to grow. I finished it wanting more—more mysteries, more lessons, more Midwatch.
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About the Author:
Judith Rossell is the multi-award-winning author-illustrator of the
bestselling Stella Montgomery series (Withering-by-Sea, Wormwood Mire and
Wakestone Hall). Judith has written fifteen books and illustrated more than
eighty, including the recent picture books Bogtrotter and Pink!, both
written by Margaret Wild. Her work has been published in the US and UK, and
translated into more than twenty languages. Before becoming an illustrator,
Judith trained as a scientist, and worked for CSIRO, and for a
cotton-spinning company. She lives in Melbourne.
Photo from PRH site. No infringement intended.
Photo from PRH site. No infringement intended.
*Penguin Random House provided the eARC
in exchange for this unbiased review.
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in exchange for this unbiased review.
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