A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Dan Santat, Lisa Yee
Series: The Misfits #1
Published by Random House ISBN: 1984830295
Pages: 276
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Olive Cobin-Zang has never felt like she’s belonged. But even worse than feeling invisible at school or being left alone by her constantly traveling parents, is the news that they are sending her to a boarding school called RASCH – a.k.a. the “Reforming Arts School,” set on an island off the California coast.

Despite initial misgivings, Olive quickly finds her place and wants above all to stay at RASCH. Odd students, quirky teachers and the strangest tests she’s ever taken (a conundrum! A Gymkhanasplore!) make this school different. And that’s before discovering that RASCH is actually a cover for an elite group of student-aged crimefighters – and they’re recruiting!

Olive joins a diverse group of like-minded misfits, all with special talents, to do what has eluded law enforcement for decades: take down the jewelry thief known as the Bling King and, by doing so, save their school. These five students don’t always get along, but they (eventually) learn to always have each other’s backs.

This fast-paced and hilarious series opener will be enthusiastically welcomed by fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society or Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls. Black and white illustrations by Dan Santat throughout the book lend to the visual appeal.

5 stars

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library