Mitchell, Dora M. Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves, The. Dora M. Mitchell, Illus. Little, Brown, 05/2025. 217pp. Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-5235-2736-6. Paper $12.99. 978-1-643-75277-8. GRADES 3–7. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
After moving from a house to an apartment, twelve-year-old Millicent has trouble adjusting, but then she meets an elderly neighbor who has hundreds of magical jigsaw puzzles. Millicent uses the puzzles to change her real life by adding and removing pieces that change the behavior of her sister, classmate, and others. Should she continue, or will this result in tragedy? Mixing humor, fantasy, and mystery, this graphic novel is told with energy. The cartoon paneled artwork includes many dark scenes that do a great job of conveying the mystery, giving the setting a gothic quality, and depicting the father as white and the mother and daughters as brown-skinned. This is the first graphic novel written and illustrated by Mitchell, who is from Northern California.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool