The Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves

Gr 4-7–Middle school angst, mythology, and magic make for a captivating read. Practical Millicent feels misunderstood in her quirky family and desperately wants a normal life. She thinks her wishes have been answered when she realizes the jigsaw puzzles belonging to one of her elderly landladies—who may or may not be the Three Fates—seem to have a mysterious influence on people’s lives. She decides to rearrange a few pieces in her sister’s puzzle, then her classmate’s, and her parents’ puzzles. Soon, cracks start forming in the fabric of reality, and it’s up to Millicent to fix what she’s done. With brisk pacing, appealing illustrations, and engaging dialogue, readers will quickly become engrossed in the action. As Millicent struggles to remedy the effects of her meddling, themes of compassion, familial love, and friendship emerge. The story sends a message about the pitfalls of perfectionism but avoids a didactic tone through its balance of humor, tension, and adventure.