I truly loved Maggie and the Story Shadows by Annabelle Oh! It’s a fantastic beginning to what promises to be an amazing new series. The stories intricately woven throughout the book made it even more enjoyable. This is a clever and captivating adventure, ideal for inquisitive middle-grade readers who appreciate a magical twist on mystery. Annabelle Oh skillfully intertwines genuine emotional themes—such as grief, and friendship. I can’t wait for the next installment!

I love the worldbuilding in this book. It is a great mystery/fantasy combo. This is a fun book that I'd recommend to anyone who likes children's books.

In MAGGIE AND THE STORY SHADOWS by Annabelle Oh, Maggie’s mom has been gone for months, but she’s convinced her mom is still alive. Unable to afford the fee for a PI to investigate for her, Maggie turns to a new friend from school and an aspiring influencer for help. Together they launch a web series to stream their search for her mother. As the trio digs into the events around her mom’s disappearance, they discover a link to a murder in a local museum, which leads them to a mysterious and magical story bag. They’re drawn into the bag, finding fairy tales come to life. As the stories and their characters threaten their lives, they’ll need to be clever to help Maggie rescue her mother and save themselves, too.

Maggie is a brave and bold protagonist, reeling from the loss of her mother and reconciling what she thought she knew about her mother with what she learns about her during her search. As the investigation progresses, so does her relationship with and trust in her newfound friends, who are also engaging and well-rounded characters. Combining tales and characters from both familiar classic tales and Korean mythology, the story features a unique and rich fantasy world. The social media storytelling element will also capture and capitalize on reader interest in the online world. A cliffhanger ending will leave readers anticipating a future installment featuring more of Maggie’s adventures.

Not the story I expected, given the description, and a bit more drawn out than I would have liked, but an entertaining adventure, a kids' version of Tuesday Next. There's a lot going on in the book, between the friendship issues and the missing parent and the money issues and the alternate universe and the big villain and the school setting. It can be difficult to keep track but there's a lot to enjoy.

Maggie is a middle schooler whose mom disappeared. Maggie worries that her mom is gone because they had an argument and Maggie said some really hurtful things. Except it turns out that Maggie's mom has some big secrets. Maggie turns to two kids at school to who might have a way to help. This is an exciting, suspenseful, fun to read to story with themes of friendship, trust, family, and loyalty. There are also a ton of text references to children's literature, which is part of the fun. I really liked this story and then ending left me believing that there would be more stories of Maggie, YAY!!!

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I found it difficult to be immersed given the writing style and ended up setting it aside before finishing, but I think younger MG readers who enjoy straightforward storytelling may still find something to love here.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney for this arc!

Maggie is the new kid at school with a big past - her mother disappeared five months ago, and while everyone else has stopped searching for her, including her father, Maggie thinks there's more to the story and that if she just looks hard enough, she'll be able to find her. She has to do this behind her dad's back, though, because he just wants her to move on, not because he's heartless, but because he's trying to do what he thinks is best for her. Maggie feels like her best bet is to hire a private investigator, but she doesn't have that kind of money, so when one of the boys at her school, a very enterprising young man named Griffin, decides it would be profitable to do a web series about the search, and he agrees to split any profits that he makes with her, how can she say no? She doesn't know that the two of them, along with Petra, a girl at school who insists upon being Maggie's friend whether Maggie likes it or not, are going to go down a path that is both dangerous and exciting at the same time, and they might just be getting in over their heads. That doesn't stop them, of course, but it does make for a great story!

This is a very fun book that takes you from a boring old school to a new world full of fairy tale stories and characters in the blink of an eye. This is a unique premise that is well written and executed, with lots of fully developed characters and phenomenal world building. The pacing is just right and the ending is in keeping with the unexpected nature of the rest of the book.

All in all, this was a well written book that I think any middle grader would really enjoy. Highly recommend.

5/5 stars.

*** Thank you NetGalley, Disney Hyperion, and Annabelle Oh for the opportunity to read and review Maggie and the Story Shadows.

Maggie is a loner. She’s the new kid at school, having had to move after her mother’s disappearance, and she’s tired of being gossiped about, so she’s really not interested in making friends. There is one girl, Petra, who insists on being her friend though. Maggie is also certain that her mother is still alive, though he doesn’t talk to her father about it, and she’s resisted getting counseling.

Griffin, a business tycoon in the making, is not someone Maggie would choose to befriend, but he’s clever and resourceful and she grudgingly agrees to work with him.

As the kids come closer to the truth about what happened to Maggie’s mother, they also find themselves in danger from “The Reaper”. Maggie also has to face the truth about how she has judged people around her, and learns to be a better friend to those who have stuck by her.

This story ends VERY abruptly, and it is obvious that there is more to come. I’ll definitely read the next book!

Possible objectionable material:
An alternate universe where stories come to life. Adults threatening children. One kid is a hustler—not quite cheating other kids out of money, but close. Some violence. Maggie and her father live in near-poverty and are going to lose their house. Fantasy elements. Lying to adults.

Who might like this book:
Lovers of the power of story. Those who like stories about developing friendships and solving problems.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #MiddleGrades #Representation

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-whole-story-universe.html

Maggie and the Story Shadows is a book with strong world-building, compelling characters and a quest with more twists and turns than your favorite novel.

The premise of Maggie and the Story Shadows is strong — it’s completely believable that a kid would not stop looking for a missing loved one. And when that search takes a magical twist, why not?

Author Annabelle Oh’s use of legends and folklore in addition to well-known literary characters is excellent, opening up other possibilities for readers. Oh’s text is accessible and the pacing really picks up in the book’s second half. It’s on-target for a wide selection of 8- to 12-year-olds.

This novel geared towards readers aged 9-13 is a fast-paced, fantasy adventure full of twists and turns along with fun references to some familiar characters from literature and folklore. Maggie is struggling to adjust to her new normal with her dad after her mom mysteriously disappears. Everyone, including her dad, thinks her mom is dead. But Maggie is sure she is still alive, especially after her mom starts visiting Maggie in her dreams. That, along with a mysterious three-legged crow that seems to follow Maggie wherever she goes, convinces her that there is more to the story of what happened to her mom.

Determined to find out what really occurred the day her mother went missing, Maggie enlists the help of two of her classmates to help. Petra, Maggie's self-proclaimed school ambassador and bodyguard against the school bullies, and Griffin a media savvy influencer. At first, the threesome are reluctant allies in Maggie's quest. But when they look into a death at the local museum that Maggie suspects might be linked to her mother's disappearance, and discover a bag that proves to be a portal to a magical story world, Maggie and her classmates actually develop a tenuous friendship of sorts. From there the adventure begins with dangers around every corner, as some familiar characters such as Baba Yaga, and some new-to-me ones from Korean folklore such Saseo the tiger, either serve to help or try to harm Maggie as she searches for her mom. I really loved the seamless way the Oh was able to weave the story elements from Korean folklore and classic literature into both the real world and the story world for Maggie. I also loved references to art as well as literature that are interspersed in the story and how Petra and Griffin are so knowledgeable about such a wide variety of things beyond the norm. The way the author characterizes them and their interests made this entirely believable. I also loved how clever and good at deduction Maggie is throughout the novel.

Along the way Maggie and her friends discover the importance of resilience, friendship, honesty, and the power of narrative, as well as the power of one's imagination. Maggie also learns the true identity of her mom and must come to terms with the fact that one's parents aren't without their own secrets or flaws. A realization that leads her on an emotional journey to understand what the act of forgiveness really means. A discovery that helps Maggie eventually overcome her most powerful enemy, the Reaper. An underworld story shadow who is intent on using Maggie to get his revenge. The book also leaves readers with a cliffhanger ending that paves the way for another thrilling adventure for Maggie, Petra, and Griffin. I cannot wait to read the next installment for this series!

If you're a fan of The Land of Stories series, the Neverending Story, or Inkheart, you'll love Maggie and the Story Shadows. Thank you to both NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.

In Maggie and the Story Shadows by Annabelle Oh, Maggie struggles to adjust to life after her missing mother is declared dead. The guilt of their last words, an argument, makes it even harder to believe that her mother is really gone. But when her dad has to sell the house to pay the bills, and a mysterious 3-legged crow keeps showing up around her, Maggie is sure that there is more to her mom's story.

With the help of 2 classmates, Maggie discovers her mother's true identity, her own role in the story world, and a way to travel between two places. Up against the Reaper, Maggie's world is turned upside-down. Will she be able to set the world, and story world, right again?

Highly recommended for 5-9th grade readers. Characters are likely upper middle to early high school age (can't drive), but this isn't specified. No romance side plot, no adult language, PG due to fight scenes.

This review is of a NetGalley ARC.

When Maggie’s mom disappears unexpectedly, she begins her investigation to hopefully understand what happened to her. As Maggie discovers clues, she enlists the help of some new friends.

This book has a fun premise of being able to move into a “story world.” I think middle school students interested in fairy tales or fantasy will enjoy it. Due to the number of characters and some of the plot complexity, I’m not sure it would appeal to my upper elementary students.

Maggie and the Story Shadows is a smart, engaging adventure perfect for curious middle grade readers who love mystery with a magical twist. Annabelle Oh weaves together real emotional stakes—like grief, resilience, and friendship—with a wildly imaginative world where familiar characters from literature and folklore come to life.

Maggie is a strong, determined heroine who models perseverance and teamwork, while the story offers just enough suspense and fantasy to keep young readers hooked without being too scary. Plus, the clever nods to storytelling and media make it a great springboard for conversations about truth, narrative, and the power of imagination.

A great pick for ages 9–13, especially those who enjoy The Land of Stories, Pages & Co., or anything involving brave kids and big adventures.

Maggie’s mom’s empty car was discovered in the lake several months ago. Her dad and the Police say she is dead. Maggie believes she is alive and she is determined to find her!

With the help of Griffin, a techno-genius sixth grader with a podcast that attracts thousands, and Petra, a tough loner, Maggie collects clues associated with her mom’s disappearance. When a museum worker dies under mysterious circumstances, Maggie discovers a key belonging to the museum where he died. Could his death be tied to her mom’s disappearance? The kids get into some tight scrapes but find something that changes everything - a doorway into every story they have ever heard

This book begins like realistic fiction but suddenly is jet propelled into fantasy! I especially liked the tiger librarian and the talking crow. Griffin’s chauffeur, Dirk, provides some comic relief and manages to always arrive at the last minute to save the trio. Griffin turns the investigation into a podcast that attracts millions and Maggie finds much more than she ever set out to! A whirlwind middle-grade read!

This was a very cute story. The magic in the world is such a good idea and I love all the life lessons that come out of it. At times I felt the characters read a bit younger than they were. But they had some mature moments. There were surprises that caught me off guard which I enjoyed.

I enjoyed this story, but found the first half a little slow. Once you get past the 50% mark the story really picks up and gets exciting. I did find the writing enjoyable and I attribute the slowness of the first half, to the author having to set the stage for this "new" world. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about books, building new friendships, family ties & epic adventures.

I received a free E-ARC from #DisneyPublishingWorldwide & #Netgalley for my honest review.

This was a very fun read! I learned so much about Korean folk tales. I enjoyed looking up how to properly pronounce the various Korean words and names throughout (a glossary with pronunciations would be a great addition). I found the mechanics of the story bag a little confusing, especially at first, regarding whether the stories that were stored in the bag ceased to exist in the real world or not once they were stored - honestly, I’m still not sure on that front. It could use some clarification, but it’s still an enjoyable read and one I would recommend, especially for multicultural representation. Overall, I enjoyed the story and its depictions of family and friend relationships and the complicated ways we interact sometimes.

I loved this book, and I'm already on the edge of my seat waiting for the second one to be released, when this one is still months away from its own debut date. Annabelle Oh's world of stories within stories is beautifully-crafted, Maggie is an excellently likeable and witty protagonist, her friends are a ton of fun as her sidekicks, and her Dad? Don't even get me started on how much I loved Mick Woodrow, because I could talk your ear off about it. (This is a theme with me, apparently, because Charlie Swan was my king in Twilight.) Seriously, though, this was just such an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for Maggie and the gang.

Ever since her mom disappeared under suspicious circumstances, Maggie is convinced there’s something more going on. While everyone else around her tells Maggie to accept her mother’s death and move on, Maggie decides to hire a private investigator to prove there’s more to the story.
She and her friend Petra team with Griffin, a hustling influencer at school to make enough money to pay for the PI. But what they discover about Maggie’s mom and her secret life leads them down a path they never expected.
Despite the potentially dark subject matter, Maggie and the Story Shadows is filled with light humorous moments. The relationships between the characters are grounded and realistic, allowing for some fantastical moments when the investigation gets going. I truly enjoyed the worldbuilding of the story shadows and would be excited to read more books in this series.
Thank you to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

Maggie is still reeling from her mother’s disappearance. Everyone thinks her mom died in a car accident, but Maggie doesn’t. When the private investigator wants too much money, Maggie decides to do her own investigating. Working with two classmates, Griffin-a social media influencer and Petra. They decide to film everything and create a web series about their investigation. Things take a weird turn when the trio are pulled into the world where Korean folktales are real. As they try to find her mother, Maggie and her friends start getting threats from a mysterious man called the Reaper. Why does the Reaper not want Maggie to find her mom? What happened to Maggie’s mom?

The plot is engaging, well developed, and full of adventure. The characters are likable, authentic, and well rounded. The world building is complex, believable, and draws the readers into the story. Readers who like fantasy, folklore, mythology, and adventure. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, Gr 5 to 9.