A Royal Conundrum

The Misfits #1

by Lisa Yee

When a notorious thief is out for priceless treasure (gems! cats! general decorum!)—who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series from Newbery Honoree Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat!

“For any kid who’s felt like a misfit, this crackling adventure packs a wallop!” —Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights

Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming arts school”!

But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH ( not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.

Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Adventure, Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Friendship

397 pages, Library Binding

First published January 2, 2024

About the author

Lisa Yee has written over 20 novels. Her most recent book, Maizy Chen's Last Chance, is about a fifth-generation Chinese American girl, and is a National Book Award Finalist, Newbery Honor, and the Asian Pacific American Children's Literature Award winner.

Lisa's debut novel, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Other books include Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, Absolutely Maybe, and a series about a 4th grader, Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) and Bobby the Brave (Sometimes), illustrated by Dan Santat.

Lisa is also the author of several American Girl books and the DC Super Hero Girls series. A Thurber House Children’s Writer-in-Residence, Lisa's books have been named a NPR Best Summer Read, Sports Illustrated Kids Hot Summer Read, and USA Today Critics’ Top Pick.

Lisa lives In Western Massachusetts, but spends a lot of time in Los Angeles, especially when it's cold. Her next book, an awkward and hilarious mystery, is called The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum, and is illustrated by Dan Santat.

You can visit Lisa at www.lisayee.com.

Reviews

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 288 page middle grade crime book follows Olive Cobin Zang as she finds her place in a unique school among a group of misfits tasked with using their age to go unnoticed and save the day. I sought out this book because of the undeniable hijabi on the cover. And while Philomena, Phil, is a very important side character, what is shared about her is very minimal. Twice it mentions the color of her headscarf, once a negative comment is aimed at her by delinquents on the street, and it mentions in passing that she speaks a little Farsi. Other than that and the critical part that she is a tech wiz, nothing further is shared. The text never mentions Islam, being Muslim or even uses the word hijab. Religion is not mentioned at all in the book, for any of the characters, and only Olive's background and family insights are shared. I appreciate that for the book at hand, a girl in hijab is a non issue, and will probably read future books in the story to see if her background is confined to stereotypes and tropes, or not. Based on the writing quality and story telling of this book, I'm hopeful that the series, like the first book, will be clean, exciting, and a fun recommendation for students to obsess over.

#islamicschoollibrarian #muslimbookreviewer #muslimcharacter #muslimintheillustration #2024

[🇵🇸🇵🇸 hasfia 🇵🇸🇵🇸 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ✨

I’m so sad about this one 😭 this was a judging the book by the cover read because LOOK AT THE COVER!!! And the premise of it as well was so attractive but something about the delivery fell short. I loved the diverse cast, I loved the characters, I loved Olivia’s relationship with her grandma but that was about it.

I expected something more and I guess that’s on me 🥲

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes. This sounded like it would be so fun to read, but the only thing I ended up liking about it was the cover. It was super cheesy and Inspector Gadget-y, and I won’t be recommending it to kids at work.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5? First finish of ‘24! Fun and cute middle grade caper with a little bit too much going on, a little bit of clunky backfill, but a great protagonist and setup for a series.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This shouldn't have taken me as long as it did to read it, but unfortunately, I wasn't as invested in the story as I thought I would be.

What Didn't Work: Lately I've been trying to read more middle grade books that fit into the subgenre of mystery/thriller/espionage so I was excited when I learned that Lisa Yee was releasing this title. As a huge fan of her Newbery Honor Award title, Maizy Chen's Last Chance, I was excited to see what Lisa Yee was going to do with this title. Unfortunately, this fell flat for me. While the story started interesting, the plot shifted into something that felt a little contrived. Every single issue felt forced and unrealistic. Granted, children serving as top secret agents is not realistic; however, I wanted a story that made both the characters and plot feel engaging, fast-paced, and fun. Unfortunately, some of that was missing from the overall experience of this novel.

What Worked: The artwork by Dan Santat was great and I honestly wished there was more throughout the course of the novel. Yee did a good job navigating the relationships between the main characters. They have extremely different personalities which leads to complications throughout the book; however, it truly was a realistic illustration of what kids encounter when they have to work with others who don't always share the same interests, goals, etc.

Overall, this was a solid read. Not exactly my favorite from Yee, but it will work for a kiddo who is looking for more diverse middle grade mystery reads.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first title in the Misfits: A Royal Conundrum surprising after reading a number of award winning books by both Lisa Yee, and Dan Santat, all of which I enjoyed. This story felt rushed with so many characters and lots of subplots. I'm sure the many high jinx that occurred in this first title will unfold in the series' sequels. Dan Santat illustrations made the story come alive though, with his expressive character illustrations, that kids will love. Perhaps the sequels will go into more depth for each of the main characters so the reader will become more engaged. Visually it's a winner, and kids will relate to the unique problems each "Misfit" has.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of James Ponti's City Spies will love this similar story about a group of kids who become part of the top-secret NOCK (aka No One Can Know) and work together to find out who is stealing Dame Gloria's jewels, how they're stealing them and why.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I have heard mixed reviews from both kids and adults, where some love it and some hate it. For me, the idea is great, but the characters are not fleshed out enough and the plot gets a little too ridiculous. It felt like I was skimming most of it and I did not feel invested.

[Hirangi ྀི · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ ten year old me might’ve really liked this

[Becky Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while searching for a book to read with elementary students for the library’s lunch bunch this summer.
This a fun book for anyone who felt they don’t measure up. Good pacing, short chapters, adventure.

[Elena Espinoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mysterious Benedict Society meets Artemis Fowl-level heists in this new middle grade secret agent series. Join this ragtag team of kids as they learn how to work together, fool clueless adults, and uncover the Bling King’s true identity.

[Maxie Froelicher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this because it won the Barnes & Noble Overall Young Reader award, but this wasn’t what I would think should have won. It was a little outlandish but still fun, but some of the choices the characters made (going into a cat convention cause you forgot you were allergic to cats??) even though they’re kids, didn’t make sense to me. It was cute, but I don’t fully think I care to read book two.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read and I've had a lot of requests for spy books lately, so a perfect addition. 3rd-6th

[Sera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's giving Scooby-Doo meets Spy Kids. I loved the reveals near the end! And the illustrations brought it to life.

[Linn J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Omg I'm finally free!

So I picked this novel up at my public library and I saw it at NetGalley too. Looking good and the summary on the back also sold it to me.

Reading the first chapters I was hooked and than it was just downfall at the middle of the book.

Olive who is the heroine, are kind of lonesome and gets transfered to RASCH, a school on an island. She feel that she pulled the short string, until she and her pod 101 get picked up to be NOCK agents! Cool right! Yeah until I as an reader, can't keep track on all the members at all. There is like 15+ characters and most of them make no sense to me. Or like thay are not memorable or unique enough for me to care about.

Olive has a lot of moments with her presumed dead grandma. I mean at the end, I see the connection but still...

The other bunch, Phil makes gadgets and Iggy are just annoying somehow but math smart?
Anyway... Their names just popped everywhere so I'm not even sure if I remember them correctly.

And the mission that these kids had to solve, crazy and hard to keep track at.
The delivery of this novel fell short on my end. I think the author tried to hard and made it childish to be funny but no, that didn't humour me. The mystery, fine and the tempo, was good. But yeah, I wouldn't read the next book...

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yee’s new middle-grade series “The Misfits” is a fun and engagingly adventure that’s a large spy-ful. It starts when middle-schooler Olive Cobin-Zang is suddenly takes from her old school by her parents to a former prison-now turned into a mysterious reforming arts school (RASCH). There, she learns what really goes on inside and slowly becomes part of a team of other students who will attempt to stop a major jewelry heist.

Off the bat, it’s an excellent read that middle-grade readers will definitely be obsessed over. It’s definitely like a more action-packed “Mysterious Benedict Society” with a couple splashes of “Mission: Impossible”. This spy kids are the heart and soul of the story and I can’t wait to see what’s next for these Misfits. A- (91%/Excellent)

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone has a squad. This one has skills that might be overlooked due to the nose-picking.

Popsugar24: #21 - A book that came out in a year that ends with "24"

52 Book Club24: #52 - Published in 2024

RATL: Humor

[Rapunzel Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky and fast-paced, I highly enjoyed A Royal Conundrum. With all the trappings of a spy novel, all about an unexpected group of crime-fighting middle-school underdogs, this book entirely lives up to its premise. The characters are awesome; Olive and the Misfits are all quite different, and often don’t entirely get along, but their developing relationships and strong personalities made the story sparkle. I also loved the illustrations—they truly brought Olive and her friends to life, and added so much to the fun atmosphere of the story. And that’s all even without mentioning the mystery itself, which was hilarious and action-packed in all the right places. I’m glad to know this one’s part of a series—I’ll be anxiously awaiting book 2!
Highly recommended, particularly to fans of middle-grade mystery books like Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls or Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation!

4.5 stars, rounded up

[Catherine Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade mystery with fun, quirky characters. Would make a good read-aloud.

[Debra Covell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Suffers by comparison to City Spies. Predictable and enjoyable, if a bit over the top at times. The illustrations are fantastic.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun spy-esque read!

[Marita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great fun!! Even for grown ups.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olive Cobin Zang's parents are frequently on business trips. That didn't used to be a problem. She used to stay with Mimi, but her grandmother isn't around any more. The latest business trip promises to be quite extended so her parents are pulling her out of the school she's gone to forever, and enrolling her in a former prison. Ok, so it isn't a prison now. It's a "reforming arts school" in a castle on an island, but Olive had no warning this was coming. She also has no idea what she's in for, as RASCH is an academy like no other, and she's been tapped to be in a special group of kids training to be undercover agents who help fight crime! But can such a group of misfits learn to work together as a team and actually help make the world a better place by stopping a jewel thief that's been terrorizing the city?

This was a lot of fun. Olive, along with the other 4 misfits - James, Phil, Theo, Iggy - and their trainers, Modest and Monica, are a group of very memorable, quirky characters who each have their unique skills. James is a walking encyclopedia, Olive is great at puzzles and has trapeze/gymnastics training, Philomena is a tech wiz, Theo speaks multiple languages, and Iggy is their weapons guru. Modest is a huge man with ballet training and Monica is a spitfire boxing champion. They complement each other well eventually, though it takes time for them to learn how to work well together and care for each other despite their quirks. I like how they work past the difficulties they face, and the mystery was well done. Overall, it is a very fun spy-ish story with a memorable cast of characters. I like Dan Santat's illustrations throughout too. Looking forward to the next book!

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are some perilous situations
Sexual content: None
Ethnic diversity: Olive is Chinese American, James is Black, Phil is Middle Eastern or Indian American (I can't remember which off the top of my head), Modest is Russian, and I think Iggy or Theo mention something about an Eastern European heritage.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: A thief is targeting the school's sponsors and it may have to close. Olive really misses her grandmother.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

** This was a NetGalley book [original due date 1.2.2024] and I was able to purchase the book and found the audiobook at the library, so I will now be able to read/review it [see below]. I was unable to do so previously due to forgetting to download the ARC by the archive date [facepalm]. **

After a slow start [for me, though this isn't really a complaint now that I think about it as it was just some really excellent world-building that comes into play later and also shows the humor that will also come into play ], this book really picked up and I became fully engaged [as it went on, it really reminded me of how much I loved The Mysterious Benedict Society that I should really reread those ] in the story and the mystery [SO. MANY. RED. HERRINGS. that I just never saw the real herring coming ] and the kids as they all learn just what they are capable of and how working together is always better than trying to struggle through on one's own. This ended up being an unexpectedly fun [and much needed in the midst of A LOT of heavy books ] read and I am really looking forward to book 2!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Yee, Dan Santat - Illustrator, and Random House Children's/Random House for Young Readers for providing the initial ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting until I see the actual book because I listened to it…

There was a bit of work to get us RASCH, but once she got there things started moving quickly. I liked the secret operative aspect of this story and the jewel heist made it like a movie!

I never see a twist coming so if it was obvious who was the thief, i still had a good time! This was almost a movie in my head and I can only imagine that the book with its illustrations would make it that much better. The little bit at the end with her “classmate” is an excellent teaser for the next book and I’m quite excited to check it out.

It’s nothing new, but it’s good at what it is. I found it fun for fans of Charlie Thorn or City Spies, kids being super smart and stopping criminals and/or solving mysteries! Yay preteens!!

Easily for a strong 4th grade reader (especially if you’re into this type of book) and up. Action, mystery, heist, capture…now to save your classmate! No big deal, that’s just a regular Tuesday for Olive and the Misfits.

[Becky Ginther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read, if nothing that stood out as really special to me. I feel like there are 3 types of middle grade novels:

1. ones written very much for kids, and have very little appeal for adults
2. ones written for adults or to try and win the Newbery, and so don't actually appeal to kids much
3. ones written for kids but treating them in a mature way, so that there is appeal for adults reading the books as well.

Obviously for me, the ideal is #3. But there's nothing wrong with the first option either, which is where this book falls for me. It's pretty cheesy, somewhat predictable, and the plot is rather absurd. The characters could have been more developed. But still fun and I think some kids will really enjoy it; especially some of the more silly parts.

[Katie Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5, rounded up. The backstory is clunky, but middle-grade readers will enjoy Olive's fast-paced, madcap adventures with RASCH and the Misfits (including the message about finding your group of people with whom to go through life). I look forward to getting my hands on a published copy so I can look at the finished art (was still in draft mode when I got this eARC).

[Nicole M. Hewitt]

This fun caper is perfect for MG readers who love series like SPY KIDS and CITY SPIES. Olive is sent to a remote boarding school and soon finds out she's actually being trained be part of an elite team of crimefighters! The book is highly illustrated (by the uber-talented Dan Santat), so it's great for younger MG readers or readers who love graphic novels!!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very fun, child spy school vibes. I love the banding together of the “misfits”, the overcoming obstacles - mental and physical. The crime solving was fun and the gadgets were great. All around very entertaining regardless of your age.

I think I saw this on a Book Riot mystery newsletter.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting that I ended up reading this right after finishing the 4th City Spies Book. The two books have similar plots but very different writing styles.

A little harder to get into and a little slower starting than City Spies but ended up being entertaining. Made for maybe a younger crowd than the City Spies.