 | Puzzling fate of Millicent Graves Author: Mitchell, Dora M. | |
| Price: $10.65 | ||
Summary:
When Millicent Graves uncovers an attic packed with jigsaw puzzles that symbolize people's lives, her perfectionist tendencies lead her to rearrange them, hoping to improve her family and friends' lives, with disastrous results. In graphic novel format.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/25)
School Library Journal (00/04/25)
Booklist (05/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/01/2025 Seeking order through manipulation leads to a fractured world in this discombobulated middle-grade graphic novel where mythology and jigsaw puzzles reign. In her family of dreamers, Millicent seems to be the only one with her feet on the ground and her head on finances when she discovers an attic filled with puzzles that represent everyone’s lives and personalities. Filled with hubris and somewhat good intentions, Millicent begins altering the people around her. The realistic artwork and looming figure of the boardinghouse bring a slight Gothic feel to the suburbs. The cracks in the universe Millicent causes are drawn as dark, semi-sentient swirls and tentacles. The narrative sometimes feels stretched with a few cracks of its own, requiring readers to be on board without much explanation or justification for anything aside from Millicent’s poor decisions. Obstacles continually pile up, only for the resolution to fall a bit flat. An entertaining if loose attempt at a mythological tale with a worthy lesson, even if the protagonist doesn’t actually learn it. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
