Thea and the Mischief Makers is a middle grade story about friendship and apologies. It’s 100% a story I’d give to any middle grade reader. Badua’s story emphasizes the necessity of a thoughtful, meaningful apology while also examining friendship issues. What kind of friend, and person, do we want to be? Keep reading this book review of Thea and the Mischief Makers for my full thoughts.
Summary
Thea gets a chance to begin anew at Pacific Academy. There, she’s a star athlete, someone with friends and popularity.
But disaster strikes at Junior Stunt Warrior summer camp with her new friends: Her extremely uncool former best friend, Evan, shows up too, and she discovers that stunt class is the one activity she’s not good at. Actually, it’s something she’s terrified of. It all reminds Thea of the shy, invisible version of herself she’s determined to leave behind.
Then, in the midst of building a practice obstacle course, Thea wrecks a tree that a pair of grumpy duwendes—Filipino goblins—call home. She’s shocked that not only are duwendes real, but the two in her backyard want revenge.
Now Thea must team up with friends new and old to fend off the duwendes before they destroy her entire neighborhood. But can she pull it off while saving her cool-girl image, too?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Thea and the Mischief Makers should be required reading for all middle grade readers. It’s a story that is universal in its exploration of friendship. For these middle grade readers, and for anyone going through a change, we aren’t sure how to balance these new friends. What kind of person do we want to be and how do we treat the ones around us? When we change, go to a new school, make a different decision, we have the opportunity to decide what kind of friend and what kind of person we are. Thea and the Mischief Makers is about exactly that.
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It’s about compassion and also apologies. In Thea and the Mischief Makers, Thea has to figure out how to apologize. And while some situations are easier than others, she has to figure out how to make a meaningful apology. To know exactly how we have hurt someone and to figure out the oftentimes difficult way to make amends. I can’t think of a more important message. Additionally, Thea and the Mischief Makers explores the pressures she feels to be THE Thea Torress. How she feels like she can’t show any weakness, any vulnerabilities, and has to be so strong.
Thea and the Mischief Makers is an action packed middle grade story which is multi-faceted and heart warming. It will remind readers, all ages alike, the importance of making amends and the opportunities we have to become the person we want to be. Find Thea and the Mischief Makers on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.