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The Tinkerers
The astromancers in Peter’s star-touched village have an amazing device that nudges time—surely it wouldn’t hurt if Peter used it to fix a few mistakes? Cozy fantasy alight with wonder from the author of Wicked Marigold.
When Peter leads two Tinkerers to his family’s inn in Stargazers Valley, he imagines they’re like other astromancers, researchers from the Imperial College who study starstuff. The valley is a special place, where the magical aurora called the Skeins appear in the sky and starstuff falls in their wake, as thin and wispy as fluff from a seed pod. But starstuff is powerful, and astromancers are the only people allowed to handle it—a law enforced by the strict and stealthy Outbounder Task Force. When Peter discovers the Tinkerers have used starstuff to invent an incredible not-a-clock that can turn back time for a few minutes, he realizes it’s his chance to undo his if he can go back and put away his new boots, he doesn’t need to add their destruction by falcons to his list of ten worst mistakes (#7: stepping on a star-eating newt). But while using the not-a-clock is easy, stopping using it is hard. And maybe not everything that feels like a mistake at the time actually is. Family, friendship, and budding self-confidence are at the heart of Caroline Carlson’s stellar fantasy.
When Peter leads two Tinkerers to his family’s inn in Stargazers Valley, he imagines they’re like other astromancers, researchers from the Imperial College who study starstuff. The valley is a special place, where the magical aurora called the Skeins appear in the sky and starstuff falls in their wake, as thin and wispy as fluff from a seed pod. But starstuff is powerful, and astromancers are the only people allowed to handle it—a law enforced by the strict and stealthy Outbounder Task Force. When Peter discovers the Tinkerers have used starstuff to invent an incredible not-a-clock that can turn back time for a few minutes, he realizes it’s his chance to undo his if he can go back and put away his new boots, he doesn’t need to add their destruction by falcons to his list of ten worst mistakes (#7: stepping on a star-eating newt). But while using the not-a-clock is easy, stopping using it is hard. And maybe not everything that feels like a mistake at the time actually is. Family, friendship, and budding self-confidence are at the heart of Caroline Carlson’s stellar fantasy.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
480 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3429 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Carlson
8 books283 followersCaroline Carlson is the author of funny and fantastical books for young readers, including The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates trilogy, The World’s Greatest Detective, and The Door at the End of the World. Her novels have won accolades from the New York Times, the American Booksellers Association, Bank Street College of Education, the American Library Association, and Junior Library Guild, among others.
Caroline holds a BA from Swarthmore College and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A Massachusetts native, she now lives in Pittsburgh with her family. You can visit her online at http://carolinecarlsonbooks.com.
Caroline holds a BA from Swarthmore College and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A Massachusetts native, she now lives in Pittsburgh with her family. You can visit her online at http://carolinecarlsonbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2025
I started reading this (mostly) cozy fantasy back in May, but then life got messy, and I didn't want my enjoyment spoiled. So I started from the beginning again a few weeks ago, and did not in the least bit mind re-reading the first 200 pages. This is one for those who like fantasy for young readers, with young protagonists who are realistically having concerns more germane to the young (which is why middle grade fantasy is better escapism than books for grown ups). It is also for those who like stories that are rooted fast in a particular place (a very nice place in this case), and rooted in family and community, with likeable characters. It might seem too idyllic to swallow, but there are dark threads woven into the story--possibly these could have been pulled at harder, but it's fine as it is. In any event, I will probably buy my own hardcover and reread it every five years or so (now I've done the first read, it has become one I can read when stressed since I know what happens....)
November 6, 2025
What a wonderful read! I was truly captured into this world. I loved the uniqueness of the story and fantasy aspect. I loved how this was told. It was basically like a deputation or someone in court you could say being asked questions along with transcribed video footage and journal entries. I thought this was very unique and added more to the story. I actually wasn't expecting what happened to happen and I think that added to me loving it so much. If you are looking for a small town fantasy middle grade read, then this is perfect! I highly recommend this one and look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, which does not impact my review or feelings about the book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, which does not impact my review or feelings about the book.
November 17, 2025
Our book club just finished The Tinkerers by Caroline Carlson and let me tell you we spent half the meeting laughing, half gasping, and the other half yes, math is optional in Stargazers Valley wishing we had our own not-a-clock to undo a few questionable life choices.
Caroline Carlson has created the coziest, quirkiest fantasy world, full of glowing auroras, mischievous starstuff, and enough chaotic energy to make even a time-loop feel charming. And at the heart of it all is Peter, a kid who has made a few mistakes. Okay, ten. And honestly? The list is iconic. Stepping on a star-eating newt? Boots eaten by falcons? I would simply pass away from embarrassment.
The moment Peter discovers that the two Tinkerers he escorted to his family’s inn aren’t harmless astromancers-in-training but rogue inventors with a very illegal time-bending gizmo well, we all knew things were about to get deliciously messy. And oh, they do.
Watching Peter use the not-a-clock to fix his mistakes and then watching those fixes spiral in increasingly hilarious and heartfelt ways turned out to be the perfect reminder of every book club member’s favorite truth: sometimes the things we wish we could erase are exactly the things that lead us where we need to be.
Between the outlaw astromancers, the glowing skeins of magical light, the swooping falcons rude, and Peter’s gentle journey toward confidence, this story is warm, whimsical, and quietly wise. It’s the kind of book that feels like sipping hot cocoa under a sky full of impossible stars.
✨Final verdict: Charming, clever, and full of wonder. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, found family feelings, and time-twisty hijinks that make you question every tiny moment you’ve ever labeled a mistake.
⚡️Thank you Candlewick Press and Caroline Carlson for sharing this book with us!
Caroline Carlson has created the coziest, quirkiest fantasy world, full of glowing auroras, mischievous starstuff, and enough chaotic energy to make even a time-loop feel charming. And at the heart of it all is Peter, a kid who has made a few mistakes. Okay, ten. And honestly? The list is iconic. Stepping on a star-eating newt? Boots eaten by falcons? I would simply pass away from embarrassment.
The moment Peter discovers that the two Tinkerers he escorted to his family’s inn aren’t harmless astromancers-in-training but rogue inventors with a very illegal time-bending gizmo well, we all knew things were about to get deliciously messy. And oh, they do.
Watching Peter use the not-a-clock to fix his mistakes and then watching those fixes spiral in increasingly hilarious and heartfelt ways turned out to be the perfect reminder of every book club member’s favorite truth: sometimes the things we wish we could erase are exactly the things that lead us where we need to be.
Between the outlaw astromancers, the glowing skeins of magical light, the swooping falcons rude, and Peter’s gentle journey toward confidence, this story is warm, whimsical, and quietly wise. It’s the kind of book that feels like sipping hot cocoa under a sky full of impossible stars.
✨Final verdict: Charming, clever, and full of wonder. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, found family feelings, and time-twisty hijinks that make you question every tiny moment you’ve ever labeled a mistake.
⚡️Thank you Candlewick Press and Caroline Carlson for sharing this book with us!
December 9, 2025
Charming, cozy, and absolutely captivating. This book has so many nuanced layers, bouncing between soft family moments and a thread of political activism and some of the most mesmerizing world building I've read in a while. At the center is endearing twelve-year-old Peter, who is trying his hardest to be a good son, a good brother, a good friend, a good citizen of the empire, all while balancing his anxiety over his Top Ten Worst Mistakes (and trying not to add any more to his list). I love the way Carlson built this story with all it's moving, looping, chaotic pieces. Sign me up to move to Stargazer's Valley immediately.
December 12, 2025
Caroline Carlson’s The Tinkerers begins with an interesting premise: Peter welcomes two visiting Tinkerers to his family’s inn in Stargazers Valley, expecting them to be ordinary astromancers from the Imperial College. Instead, their arrival triggers a chain of events that quickly grows far beyond the quiet, star-lit research trip he imagined.
The novel has an intriguing structure that alternates the main storyline with flashbacks to the past and to tense glimpses of a future moment when things have clearly gone terribly wrong. At first these interludes add a wonderful sense of suspense. Eventually, though, the increasing number of breaks and flashbacks began to interrupt the momentum for me and pulled me out of the narrative.
Peter, as the protagonist, was not especially likeable, which made it a bit harder to stay invested in his journey. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the wording throughout the book and the atmospheric feel of Stargazers Valley. The cosy descriptions of the inn run by Peter’s parents are especially delightful.
Unfortunately, my interest faded during the second half of the story, and the final resolution did not land in a satisfying way for me.
Overall, The Tinkerers offers a lovely setting and some inventive narrative ideas, even if the execution did not fully hold my attention through to the end.
The novel has an intriguing structure that alternates the main storyline with flashbacks to the past and to tense glimpses of a future moment when things have clearly gone terribly wrong. At first these interludes add a wonderful sense of suspense. Eventually, though, the increasing number of breaks and flashbacks began to interrupt the momentum for me and pulled me out of the narrative.
Peter, as the protagonist, was not especially likeable, which made it a bit harder to stay invested in his journey. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the wording throughout the book and the atmospheric feel of Stargazers Valley. The cosy descriptions of the inn run by Peter’s parents are especially delightful.
Unfortunately, my interest faded during the second half of the story, and the final resolution did not land in a satisfying way for me.
Overall, The Tinkerers offers a lovely setting and some inventive narrative ideas, even if the execution did not fully hold my attention through to the end.
December 3, 2025
I wasn't sure about this when I started it. I really liked Wicked Marigold and had high expectations, and I wasn't sure how the format of Tinkerers would work. It was delightful - a good cast of characters (those twins - yikes!), an interesting magic system, some good advice for common childhood (and adult!) challenges, and a delightful ending. The format was fun, and I also enjoyed that even the transcriptionist developed a bit. I also did not see some things coming as early as I might in other books, too.
October 28, 2025
This book had a lot of imagination involved in writing it! it was fascinating to read, and had a lot of good elements of surprise and good twists and turns in store. I read it and so did my niece and she really enjoyed it as well! The author has a very vivid imagination and I think that really shows through this story!
November 12, 2025
What worked:
The first thing readers will notice is the book’s format. Part of the first chapter’s title is labeled “Exhibit 1”, so readers can imagine it’s part of some kind of investigation. Other chapters include sections of Peter’s narrative, star tales he tells to his brother Ollie, transcripts from interviews, surveillance videos or audio, transcripts of memos, and other sources. Peter’s character connects all of the chapters, so readers will be curious about why he’s part of an investigation. The early chapters hammer home that possessing star stuff is a dangerous, serious offense, and the substance is abundant in Stargazers Valley, where Peter lives. The author provides twists to the plot and surprises about characters as the story nears its climax.
The author creates an imaginative world where starstuff is the most valuable commodity. Astromancers from the Imperial College are researching the substance to discover beneficial uses for it. They are the only ones legally allowed to collect or use the material. Outbounder Task Force agents are always on the lookout for violators, so citizens avoid starstuff out of fear. Clambering is the major sport in the world, and it’s a form of competitive hiking and climbing. People talk about their favorite clamberers and purchase memorabilia about them. The hot gossip is about one of the world’s best clamberers disappearing from the public eye for months. The school even has a clambering class with frequent time trials. Peter’s attempts are often labeled DNF, did not finish, so it’s constantly a huge hit to his self-confidence.
The investigation can be viewed as a mystery with many suspects to choose from. The exact crime is slow to emerge, though readers know that Peter has used the not-a-clock illegally on more than one occasion. Peter is guiding two astromancers through the surrounding terrain, as they learn to clamber. He knows they’re doing more than clambering, and they don’t want anyone else to know what they’re up to. Theodoros is a longtime resident of the inn, but Peter’s not sure about what the man does for a living. He’s another astromancer, and he weekly sends starstuff that he’s collected to an unknown location. Then, there’s Joey Pancake. No one at the inn knows when he leaves or returns, and he’s the fastest clamberer that anyone’s seen. He keeps his identity concealed and doesn’t want to interact with anyone else. What is Joey Pancake up to?
What didn’t work as well:
Readers will need to be patient as the plot slowly unfolds. The book’s format presents clues in different forms, and they’re not always in chronological order. The variety of text forms takes getting used to, but it keeps the story from getting stagnant.
The final verdict:
The author creates an imaginative, thought-provoking story. Stargazers Valley is ruled by an overreaching empress, and the not-a-clock raises moral questions. I recommend this book to readers searching for a creative story that will make them think.
The first thing readers will notice is the book’s format. Part of the first chapter’s title is labeled “Exhibit 1”, so readers can imagine it’s part of some kind of investigation. Other chapters include sections of Peter’s narrative, star tales he tells to his brother Ollie, transcripts from interviews, surveillance videos or audio, transcripts of memos, and other sources. Peter’s character connects all of the chapters, so readers will be curious about why he’s part of an investigation. The early chapters hammer home that possessing star stuff is a dangerous, serious offense, and the substance is abundant in Stargazers Valley, where Peter lives. The author provides twists to the plot and surprises about characters as the story nears its climax.
The author creates an imaginative world where starstuff is the most valuable commodity. Astromancers from the Imperial College are researching the substance to discover beneficial uses for it. They are the only ones legally allowed to collect or use the material. Outbounder Task Force agents are always on the lookout for violators, so citizens avoid starstuff out of fear. Clambering is the major sport in the world, and it’s a form of competitive hiking and climbing. People talk about their favorite clamberers and purchase memorabilia about them. The hot gossip is about one of the world’s best clamberers disappearing from the public eye for months. The school even has a clambering class with frequent time trials. Peter’s attempts are often labeled DNF, did not finish, so it’s constantly a huge hit to his self-confidence.
The investigation can be viewed as a mystery with many suspects to choose from. The exact crime is slow to emerge, though readers know that Peter has used the not-a-clock illegally on more than one occasion. Peter is guiding two astromancers through the surrounding terrain, as they learn to clamber. He knows they’re doing more than clambering, and they don’t want anyone else to know what they’re up to. Theodoros is a longtime resident of the inn, but Peter’s not sure about what the man does for a living. He’s another astromancer, and he weekly sends starstuff that he’s collected to an unknown location. Then, there’s Joey Pancake. No one at the inn knows when he leaves or returns, and he’s the fastest clamberer that anyone’s seen. He keeps his identity concealed and doesn’t want to interact with anyone else. What is Joey Pancake up to?
What didn’t work as well:
Readers will need to be patient as the plot slowly unfolds. The book’s format presents clues in different forms, and they’re not always in chronological order. The variety of text forms takes getting used to, but it keeps the story from getting stagnant.
The final verdict:
The author creates an imaginative, thought-provoking story. Stargazers Valley is ruled by an overreaching empress, and the not-a-clock raises moral questions. I recommend this book to readers searching for a creative story that will make them think.
November 20, 2025
The Tinkerers is a fabulous tale of family, friendship, and community in a world where magical starstuff, aurora-like phenomena called the Skeins, and legendary star tales about constellations like the Spinner and the Jackanapes abound. I loved idea of a magical town like Stargazers Valley, where a miraculous “not-a-clock” can turn back time long enough for 12-year old Peter to undo the mistakes he constantly worries about. In many ways, life is peaceful and well-ordered in Stargazers Valley. Could it be too well-ordered? Not everything is idyllic in this world, and tension builds to an exciting conclusion where Peter and his family become subject to outside forces beyond their control. And when this happens, Peter learns that achieving perfection may not always be possible – or even desirable – in a complicated world.
This book is fun to read, and a variety of documents ranging from notebook entries and school announcements to transcripts of surveillance footage bring the story to life. It’s a great read-aloud with characters like grumpy astromancers (scientists who study starstuff), Peter’s exuberant twin sisters Tess and Flip, who enjoy living life at top speed and at the top of their lungs, and his little brother Ollie, who is fascinated by the Skeins. Though it will certainly appeal to kids, adults will also find a lot to like, and to think about, in The Tinkerers.
This book is fun to read, and a variety of documents ranging from notebook entries and school announcements to transcripts of surveillance footage bring the story to life. It’s a great read-aloud with characters like grumpy astromancers (scientists who study starstuff), Peter’s exuberant twin sisters Tess and Flip, who enjoy living life at top speed and at the top of their lungs, and his little brother Ollie, who is fascinated by the Skeins. Though it will certainly appeal to kids, adults will also find a lot to like, and to think about, in The Tinkerers.
October 14, 2025
I LOVED this book so much!! I could hardly put it down and now that I'm done I want to read it all again. There is so much to love about this book. It is engaging, heartwarming, funny, and it has profound life lessons. Carlson is one of my absolute favorite authors because she somehow creates sentences that tickle my funny bone and warm my heart in the best way, where the sentences are as perfect as they can be and I wonder how she possibly came up with them. If you haven't read Carlson's work, I recommend all of it, and I especially recommend The Tinkerers. It speaks to what so many of us experience as we move through our life adventures, how we judge ourselves, fear that we are making mistakes, and try to do the right thing even if we don't know what the right thing is. It speaks to family connection, love, play, and kid-wrangling. It speaks to friendship and facing difficult challenges. I highly recommend that you give yourself the gift of reading this exquisite book.
October 30, 2025
This was some very elegant storytelling! The story starts very slow and uses interviews and transcripts as well as first-person narrative, which works well overall. The pacing is consistent and the author drops little nuggets that are obviously going to be important later on; the story is layered, building slowly to the anticipated climax. But when it finally happened, it was so disappointing, like just the most unfulfilling climax ever. It was so brief, I had to double check in case I had skipped some pages. But no, it was just not a very good climax and there were so many ways that could’ve been structured differently to make the climax the catharsis it could have been.
Thank you very much to candlewick press for the advance review copy.
Thank you very much to candlewick press for the advance review copy.
January 7, 2026
The idea of this book and the beautiful cover both sucked me in. I’m not usually one to enjoy books for younger audiences but I wanted to like this one!! The first probably half of the book was hard to get through. After that, things picked up and it was very exciting! I did end up enjoying the book ❤️
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews