Mischievous Magical Maia Malone
This is a charming, energetic children’s novel that combines fantasy and humour with emotional depth. The story follows Maia, a 9-year-old girl who can make her drawings come to life! When Maia discovers that she is adopted, she embarks on a perilous adventure to discover who she really is – with her pencils in tow!
Lindsay J. Sedgwick has created a fun, fast-paced and light-hearted story that explores meaningful themes such as identity, belonging, family and friendship while being fun to for young readers. The more difficult themes are handled with warmth and sensitivity, allowing the emotional elements to evolve naturally within an exciting adventure story rather than ever becoming preachy. The short chapters and lively pace make this book appealing and readable. A lovely balance is struck between the fantastical and the heartfelt, ensuring that this book has both entertainment and substance.
The well-rounded characters make this book especially engaging. Maia, the protagonist, is a believable and relatable heroine – imaginative and spirited, yet vulnerable, with a few imperfections, making it easy for young readers to root for her character. Her sibling dynamic with Neeta is realistic and humorous – any reader with siblings will relate to this.
Abigail Hicks’ illustrations really bring the story to life, adding to the book’s charm and breathing life into the characters. The illustrations reflect Maia’s own drawings, creating a sense that her imagination has spilled onto the page. This makes the artwork feel integral to the storytelling, reflecting a central theme of this book – the power of imagination.
Highly recommended.
