About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the pressure of a new challenge or feels like they are struggling to keep up with their peers. It is a perfect choice for kids who may feel discouraged by 'expert' standards and need to see that perseverance and a good group of friends are more important than being perfect at a skill. While the setting is a whimsical fantasy world, the heart of the story is about a girl named Max who finds that knight school is much harder than she imagined. The book uses humor and high-stakes adventure to explore themes of teamwork, loyalty, and the importance of staying true to oneself even when faced with literal and metaphorical mirrors of your own worst fears. It is an accessible, highly illustrated novel that bridges the gap between traditional fiction and graphic novels, making it an excellent 'hook' book for reluctant readers.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The story features magical peril and shape-shifting monsters (bodkins) that may be frightening for very sensitive readers, though the tone remains humorous and the violence is bloodless.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 10-year-old who loves humor-driven adventures like Dog Man or Big Nate but is ready for a slightly more complex fantasy world. It is also perfect for a child who feels 'not good enough' at a new hobby or sport.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. There are no complex historical or social topics requiring prior research. A child expressing frustration with a new teacher or a difficult curriculum, saying 'I'm just not good at this.'
Age Experience
Younger readers (ages 7-8) will focus on the slapstick humor and the cool monster designs. Older readers (ages 10-12) will better appreciate the subversion of traditional fantasy tropes and the internal struggle Max faces regarding her self-confidence and her unconventional path to knighthood.
What Makes It Special
Peirce masterfully blends the 'underdog school story' with high fantasy. Unlike many fantasy novels that take themselves very seriously, this book uses its magical elements as a literal mirror for the characters' self-doubt, making the emotional stakes very relatable.
Read plot summary
Max, a girl pursuing her dream of becoming a knight, finds herself struggling with the rigorous demands of knight school. The plot thickens when the kingdom of Byjovia is threatened by 'bodkins,' magical, shape-shifting creatures that can take the form of anyone they see. To save their home, Max must reunite her band of friends, the Midknights, to uncover a conspiracy, navigate dangerous spells, and confront creatures that look exactly like them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Max expected knight school to be easy because she wanted it so much. Why do you think she struggled once she actually got there?
2
The bodkins are scary because they can look like anyone. If a bodkin turned into you, what is one thing they might get wrong that only your best friend would notice?
3
At one point, the Midknights have to face 'themselves.' What do you think is the hardest part about fighting against your own self-doubt?
4
Which of the Midknights' skills was the most helpful during the battle, and why is it important to have a team with different talents?
