Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow

In the third installment of the Nevermoor series, Morrigan Crow has successfully integrated into the Wundrous Society but faces her most daunting challenge yet. A plague called the Hollowpox is affecting Wunimals, stripping them of their humanity and turning them into aggressive Unnimals. As the city descends into panic and prejudice against Wunimals grows, Morrigan must dive deep into her training in the Wretched Arts to find a cure. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with a community-wide health crisis and societal discrimination. These are handled metaphorically through the Hollowpox and the treatment of Wunimals. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges that systemic change and healing take significant effort and bravery. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of wonder and academic excitement but quickly shifts into a tense, high-stakes mystery. It builds toward a climactic confrontation, ending with a strong sense of justice and the strengthening of Morrigan's moral compass. IDEAL READER: A middle-schooler who feels like an outsider and is beginning to notice social injustices in the world around them. It is perfect for the child who loved Harry Potter but wants a more modern, quirky, and ethically complex landscape. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child expressing anxiety about news events, viruses, or seeing someone being treated unfairly because they are different. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that this is the darkest book in the series so far, featuring several scenes of animal-like creatures attacking characters. Reading the first two books is essential for context. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the magical school elements and the scary mystery of the virus. Older readers will pick up on the nuanced allegories for racism, public health crises, and the ethics of power. DIFFERENTIATOR: Townsend excels at world-building that is simultaneously whimsical and grounded in realistic emotional stakes, making the social commentary feel organic rather than preachy.