An adorable read, you can't help but fall in love with Maya while she navigates this journey in her life. Maya is a brave, determined girl who makes a wonderful protagonist. Definitely recommend for any middle grade children.

Maya misses her grandmother. Her grandmother has been missing for a while. Maya decides to try to find clues in her grandmother’s room. She finds maps her grandmother drew. Somehow she discovers a way to get into the underground tunnels. She runs into a wizard that gives advice. She must keep the secret piece of a mysterious clock safe. It must not fall into the hands of the alien Landions. The Landions have taken her grandmother and best friends prisoners. The Landions live underground beyond the limits of time. They think that they could erase all humankind completely if they got the lost piece of the clock that is responsible for where they live. Maya does find where her grandmother is being held along with her friends. The Landions give Maya an ultimatum of giving the clock piece back to them. However it’s no longer in her bag. Where is it? Will Maya, her grandmother and friends die?

It is a fast paced story filled with secrets. During her experiences, she develops courage and determination not to give up. It’s amazing to see how Maya grows stronger throughout her journey to save her grandmother. I liked how she grew in wisdom and not fall back into the dead end of her former life. It’s a mystery, fantasy novel.

Maya is a blue haired girl from Baltimore and she can do anything!

Maya Loop is Coraline meets Alice in Wonderland! Honestly, Maya starts out kind of annoying - too cool for school, and definitely too cool for the country town and boy she moves into next to. However, she has a very Coraline vibe about her (the blue hair is just a bonus) that I adore. She becomes more endearing as the book goes on - especially when she is called out, “no one says nutso anymore” -ha!

I really loved the book! I think it has a lot of great writing choices #MolesWithGoals #LoopsMakingLeaps that are fun and engaging, but it also tackles a lot of real life issues in a fantastical way.

For example, the comparison of the bugs and the people of Baltimore was heartbreaking, and well done. Even though it was just a paragraph or two - I think it’s extremely important to include these topics in middle grade books.

I adore this book, will buy it when released, and will definitely pick up more from the author. A great novel about a very brave, blue haired girl from Baltimore who can do ANYTHING.

A few spelling mistakes, and the use of Indian should be changed to Native American* would be my only complaints really. (chapter 24 - copper pennies)