The Middler

[A] remarkable debut . . . the story reveals its twists and turns in an almost cinematic manner. Young readers will be eager to know more about Maggie's absorbing world and the mysterious wanderers beyond.

Applebaum's suspenseful and inventive story has echoes of The Giver and other dystopian classics; it avoids truly frightening scenes in favor of developing Maggie's own courage, character, and capacity for friendship. Moral quandaries and philosophical questions deepen this page-turner

Gr 4-6--As this compelling debut novel begins, the town of Fennis Wick is preparing to send two of their 14-year-old "eldest" off to "camp," where they join the fight in the Quiet War. The Wanderers, those who refuse to send their eldest children to war, are considered dirty, dangerous, and deceitful by the inhabitants of Fennis Wick. The town is protected from the Wanderers by a boundary that is never to be crossed. Maggie, 11, is a "middler," a middle child and therefore not considered special. As an eldest, her brother Jed is treated with the reverence reserved for firstborn. Maggie fully believes the doctrine she's been taught until she happens to meet a Wanderer girl named Una and the two become friends. Maggie toys with the idea of turning Una over to the authorities, thereby becoming a hero like Jed. Before she can do so, a series of events and conversations make Maggie question everything and everyone she has ever known. Putting her own safety aside for the greater good, Maggie emerges as a heroine whose actions affect the citizens of Fennis Wick and beyond. VERDICT This fast-moving, suspenseful dystopian novel would be a great introduction to the genre. Maggie's bravery, kindness, and loyalty are admirable. A recommended purchase.--Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Named a Children's Book of the Week in The Times and The Sunday Times!

Maggie is a courageous, headstrong character who will grab the hearts of her readers. The Middler held one marvelous surprise after another every time I turned a page, leading to a most unexpected ending! Readers are going to love this book!" —Jennifer A. Nielsen, New York Times-bestselling author of The False Prince and A Night Divided

This is a quirky, original adventure about friendship and loyalty, betrayal and trust, kindness and greed, told as Maggie's vibrant narrative, with striking characters and a happy ending. —The Sunday Times

I thought I'd almost reached my fill of dystopian novels, but Kirsty Applebaum has rebooted the genre. The plot pulls you along . . . [and] there is a touch of Harper Lee's Scout [in Maggie]. —The Times