Just So Stories

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

October 2024

ISBN:9781761212369

Price:AU$24.99, NZ$27.99

Holy Mackerel!! This is literally just WOW! The sleek and stylish binding is sensational and I’ve not seen such an enticing invitation to open a book for some time. We may have been waiting a while for a new book from Judith Rossell, but trust me, this is definitely worth the wait.

Maggie Fishbone is an orphan with whom even the nuns have no patience. Her only likely future employment was the fish cannery but even that possibilty is scuppered following an incident in which she pushes the fish cannery manager’s son into the water. So she is promptly delivered without ceremony to The Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways and Unwanted Girls, an institute which, to all appearances, is as forbidding as the worst prison imaginable, with lines of grey-clad girls moving silently, heads bowed, through the corridors.

But appearances can be deceiving, as we all know, and within hours Maggie, along with other newbies, Nell and Sofie, is welcomed into the lower form of Midwatch girls where they are dazzled by the completely unexpected lessons and adventures ahead of them.

Run by the imposing, and slightly eccentric Miss Mandelay, the Midwatch girls are being thoroughly trained as find-outers. They have a well-established reputation in the city for solving mysteries of all kinds. The setting is nebulous and hard to define apart from being a nameless city that resembles any big metropolis of around 1920s/30s vibe, with airships, the early-style skyscrapers, rich people swanning about in fancy cars and staying in even fancier hotels, and lots of lively music.

When Dr Entwhistle of the City Library comes to the Midwatch seeking help to find his missing love interest, a gentle older lady called Miss Fenchurch, the first year girls are champing to be chosen to investigate – and with a cleverly spotted clue from Nell, and some quick-thinking from Harriet, leader of the group, they become part of the covert operation.

What they uncover involves displaced European aristocrats, the mystery night monster which has been terrorising the city, some stunning jewelry and an old adversary of Miss Mandelay. This is packed with real ingenuity and liberally laced with quirky humour.

In one sense, it’s a little Lemony Snicket flavoured and in another, almost Northern Lights with it’s alternate real-life setting. I think that the fact I gobbled up in two nights is a real indication of how thoroughly engaging it is. The characters are all so likeable, and the first year girls, although each very different, amply demonstrate how everybody has their own particular strengths and gifts – something that Maggie, in particular, needed to know.

The girls are resourceful and courageous and completely loyal in working together as a team – there is no rivalry here. So aside from the fantastical adventure, it’s an excellent example of the power of the solidarity and success of a sisterhood – no matter, what age, 11 years old or grown women.

I’m already calling it as an award-winner and sincerely hope that like the Withering-by-Sea trilogy we can expect more, from these clever and brave girls.

Judith’s writing is matched only by her superlative illustrations – just watch here to see some creative process – amazing stuff. The book is richly illustrated throughout and readers will delight in exploring details within the artwork. And, as always, kudos to Hardie Grant for an extraordinarily beautiful binding and design -gorgeous hardback with coppery foiled accents – winner!!

I will be talking this one up to as many as I can in the coming weeks and months and have already suggested it as a Readers Cup title. If your budget has already closed, you must put it on your orders list regardless – it’s a MUST, pay for it next year if you have to! – and I would think it will be in great demand, once word-of-mouth starts happening with your readers.

What an absolute treasure from the first page to the last! It really is the gnat’s spats! It’s a skyscraper high 5 🏙️🏙️🏙️🏙️🏙️ rating from me – DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!