There's a large world of children's adventure books out there, it's a hard genre to jump into, let alone get it right. The Curiosities feels like one of those stories that will outlast the genre and it's many quick delivered products.
If you loved the feel of Super 8, the Goonies, Stranger Things... If you grew up with Encyclopedia Brown, the Hardy Brothers or Nancy Drew, The Curiosities might just be what you're looking for. A whimsical tale of two siblings with their own quirks, who are determined to get to the bottom of a mysterious new problem, couple that with a neighborhood of interesting cats and you have a recipe for a great, quick adventure.
More important than just the story was the beautiful handling of Zach's Autism. In a few short passages, you're able to get a feel for the struggles that Zach has, but you also get a better understanding of how not only he handles it, but the world around him does. It's never shown as a disability or disadvantage but something special that makes him unique. It felt very real, very delicate and was handled with care. It doesn't shy away from how he's viewed by some in school, or that it can be a difficult process.
The Curiosities was a thoroughly enjoyable read filled with interesting decisions, wonderfully written characters and some beautifully handled morals.

I want to thank NetGalley and Southbound Films for ARC, in exchange for a honest review.

Deeply imaginative and intriguing with a mystery at its heart - this was a cute story about siblings, allowing room for adventure and curiosity in your life, belonging, oh- and saving the town from a meteorite that is causing very strange happenings, and those eager to take advantage for selfish purposes. I really enjoyed the autism representation in this story as well as the family dynamics, but felt like some parts didn't hit the mark quite as well. Although I'm not the target audience, things like a mom called "mumzy bear" and other elements felt overly childish for middle grade, while other parts felt quite advanced. There were some moments where I felt that the transitions between scenes felt a bit disjointed, and some of the science elements I wonder how effectively they would grab the attention span of a middle grade level child. Overall though I really liked the concept behind this story and how it addressed caring for our planet, community, family & friends. The different cat personalities were also super entertaining!

This is such a fun middle grade adventure book full of mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters.

The Curiosities is a cute and wonderful middle grade novel about a brother and sister duo who must save their town from an otherworldly attack. They’re helped by the brave but quirky neighborhood cats. This would make a great read aloud for upper elementary grade classrooms. It’s a very enjoyable read with both humorous and touching moments.

Cute middle-grade story. I was pleased by the inclusion of an autistic main character and loved the bond he had with his sister. However, some aspects of the book felt a little too twee, such as the talking cats and the kids' mom being referred to only as "Mumzy Bear." Of course, I'm not the target audience, and I think this would make a great addition to a children's classroom or library.

This was a wonderfully immersive, whimsical, and adorable children’s book! I loved the world building and the characters, they were such a delight to get to know. I think this book will be loved when it comes out!