MAGGIE AND THE STORY SHADOWS, by Annabelle Oh, Disney Hyperion, Aug. 12, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
Three kids’ search for a missing mother leads them to a world where every story ever told is real in Maggie and the Story Shadows, by Annabelle Oh.
Five months ago, Maggie Woodrow’s mom disappeared without a trace. Now, the world has given up the search and Maggie and her dad may lose their house. But Maggie has a plan: hire a private investigator, find her mom, and everything will go back to normal.
When the private investigator wants $3,000 to take on Maggie’s case, she knows just who to turn to: Griffin, the school’s entrepreneur-influencer. Maggie and her friend Petra approach him for help. Intrigued by Maggie’s mom’s story, Griffin agrees to film the investigation and create a web series, splitting the profits with Maggie.
Except their search takes a totally unexpected turn when they are sucked into a world where every story ever told is real—and so is magic. From Sherlock Holmes to Baba Yaga to terrifying mythical monsters, Maggie and her new friends never know what’s around the corner. Still, they are determined to work together and uncover the truth about Maggie’s mom.
As Maggie, Griffin, and Petra close in on the answers they seek, a mysterious (and dangerous) man known as The Reaper sends increasingly deadly threats after them. Will they find Maggie’s mom? Or will their own disappearance become the latest mystery? —Synopsis provided by Disney Hyperion
Maggie and the Story Shadows is a book with strong world-building, compelling characters and a quest with more twists and turns than your favorite novel.
The premise of Maggie and the Story Shadows is strong — it’s completely believable that a kid would not stop looking for a missing loved one. And when that search takes a magical twist, why not?
Author Annabelle Oh’s use of legends and folklore in addition to well-known literary characters is excellent, opening up other possibilities for readers. Oh’s text is accessible and the pacing really picks up in the book’s second half. It’s on-target for a wide selection of 8- to 12-year-olds.
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