A Whole Story Universe

 Maggie and the Story Shadows
By Annabelle Oh
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication date: August 12, 2025
Print length: 272 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1368114141
Reading age: 8 - 12 years
Grade level: 3 – 7
 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Land of Stories meets From the Desk of Zoe Washington in this fantastical middle grade mystery where three kids' search for a missing mother leads them to a world where every story ever told is real—making a hit web series about their search along the way.

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?

 My Thoughts:

Maggie is a loner. She’s the new kid at school, having had to move after her mother’s disappearance, and she’s tired of being gossiped about, so she’s really not interested in making friends. There is one girl, Petra, who insists on being her friend though. Maggie is also certain that her mother is still alive, though he doesn’t talk to her father about it, and she’s resisted getting counseling.

 Griffin, a business tycoon in the making, is not someone Maggie would choose to befriend, but he’s clever and resourceful and she grudgingly agrees to work with him.

 As the kids come closer to the truth about what happened to Maggie’s mother, they also find themselves in danger from “The Reaper”. Maggie also has to face the truth about how she has judged people around her, and learns to be a better friend to those who have stuck by her.

 This story ends VERY abruptly, and it is obvious that there is more to come. I’ll definitely read the next book!

 Possible objectionable material:

An alternate universe where stories come to life. Adults threatening children. One kid is a hustler—not quite cheating other kids out of money, but close. Some violence. Maggie and her father live in near-poverty and are going to lose their house. Fantasy elements. Lying to adults.

 Who might like this book:

Lovers of the power of story. Those who like stories about developing friendships and solving problems.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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