In this energetic and imaginative elementary school adventure, The Curiosities follow siblings Marlow and Zach along with their hilariously indifferent feline companion, Leo, as they unravel a mystery that starts with their missing teacher. The story is split between two parallel investigations—one led by the children and one by a surprisingly competent and endlessly entertaining team of investigative cats. The dual storylines offer variety and momentum, keeping the plot engaging while allowing for both emotional depth and comic relief. While the level of independence granted to the children—especially Zach, who is on the autism spectrum—stretches believability, it’s ultimately in service of a whimsical, high-stakes adventure that champions teamwork, neurodiversity, and courage. With its fast pace, lovable characters, and delightfully absurd elements like kitty commandos and zombie cats, this novel is perfect for readers aged 8 to 14. I would wholeheartedly recommend it as an option for high school independent reading, particularly for students looking for something both clever and lighthearted. For grades 11 and 12 I would recommend this book for students in the locally developed pathway. The novel touches on themes of family, bullying, friendship, ingenuity, greed.
I listened to the audio version read by Annalee Scott. The narrator was superb and was able to do many different voices. Indeed she had me fooled when I first started listening because it was a very sultry voice that I did not think was suitable for this age level, however do not let that dissuade you from continuing to listen. It will make sense in the end.
Thanks to NetGalley and Southbound Films for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Marlow and Zach have just moved to the town for their mom’s new job at the space robotics laboratory. They are still getting to know everyone and everything around them — the cats of the neighborhood (including the least curious cat in the world, Leo), the science teacher who lives in a pirate ship in the forest, the mysterious abandoned hotel on top of the mountain — when something happens that drives away all the birds and insects from the area. The children, on one hand, and the cats on the other, led by Leo (who has to succumb to dangerous curiosity after all — because, you know, curiosity killed the cat), investigate the matter to save their town, and possibly the world, from what might be an alien invasion.

I liked this a lot. The story is written in a very cinematic way—I would love to see an animated movie adaptation. Because there are two independent investigations of the same mystery underway, the reader always knows a bit more than the characters do, which obviates the need to spell out in detail the meaning of every discovery. At some point, for example, a sinister encounter by one team already reveals to the reader the true nature of a character, while the other team is still cooperating with them... oh, I can imagine the excitement that would generate in an animated film.

Now, to the themes:

Zach is autistic, and this is portrayed very well in terms of his strengths and challenges (sensory overload and anxiety). The text also includes some self-regulation tips that a reader could apply to help themselves or someone in their care. Marlow is a very helpful older sister, but she also has a narrative arc in which she realizes that she’s kept some habits from the time before Zach’s diagnosis, like “ignoring his weirdness until it passes”, and begins to revisit them. I would say some of the cats are also neurodivergent-coded: the one who never speaks but is connected to her sister, or the one who never leaves his roof because it causes him anxiety. I’m also wondering whether Leo’s lack of curiosity and strict routines might be interpreted as ND-coded as well. And all of them are not just some quirky side characters but the ones who save the world. A very ND-friendly book, indeed.

The environmental communication: the dystopian evil vision from which the town needs to be saved is a world devoid of bugs and birds. The story is grounded in an understanding that all elements of the environment are crucial parts of life, and it is their disruption that prompts the characters to investigate, not an actual alien invasion. The book also conveys a sense of wonder about being curious about natural processes.

I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Annalee Scott. Her voice acting talents complement the mysterious and whimsical story well.

(If you're wondering about the genre before offering the book to actual children in your care: there are no real aliens here. There are some fantastic premises, but among them, the talking cats (who speak only among themselves, not in a way comprehensible to humans) and the idea that antihistamine meds can work instantly are by far the most fantastical. Instead, the story may spark genuine curiosity about real-world natural processes, which are just as wondrous as anything magical.)

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with this audiobook for review through NetGalley. The opinion above is my own.

If you’re looking for a kid friendly, sci-fi, mystery/adventure - you’ve come to the right place. This book follows a pair of siblings as they navigate solving a mystery and saving the town with the help of some neighborhood cats.

From a pirate ship in the woods, abandoned hotels, to a town full of (kid-friendly) zombies, we are taken on a whimsical yet suspenseful ride. The main characters are siblings Marlow and Zach and they have a heartfelt bond, and are curious about their world including: bees, nature, animals, space & science.

Zach is autistic, and I appreciated how they handled this subject matter by giving the reader information about autism while preserving the characters individuality. They highlighted his unique skills and differences without making him a stereotype or making it about his “superpowers”. The author is autistic and the neurodivergent representation was great to see.

The POV switches from the kids to Leo and the other neighborhood cats and I loved this angle. They were so funny and endearing.

I would recommend this book to sci-fi fans, cat lovers, nature enthusiasts, or anyone looking for authentic neurodiverse representation. The audiobook was narrated very well and would be a fun listen for young readers who like (non-scary) adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Curiosities is a quirky, high-energy middle grade adventure that blends sci-fi, fantasy, and heartfelt family moments. Siblings Marlow and Zach Metzler are endlessly curious about everything from pirate ships in the woods to missing teachers and sudden bird disappearances. A neighborhood cat, Leo, by contrast, is curious about absolutely nothing, but somehow ends up helping to save the world.

The emotional depth is a standout. Marlow and Zach’s sibling bond is full of affection and realness, and their relationship with their mom adds warmth. Zach’s autism is portrayed with thoughtfulness and authenticity, never reduced to a stereotype but fully integrated into who he is.

Narrator Annalee Scott does a fabulous job bringing the entire cast to life: kids, grown-ups, and especially animals. She captures Zach’s voice with care and dimension, while giving Leo and other cats distinct, hilarious personalities that sparkle in audio.

The plot is imaginative, packed with aliens, zombies, earthquakes, and kitty commandos. At times, though, it drags a bit, and I found myself zoning out during a few slower patches. Still, the whimsical tone and inventive world kept me hooked enough to complete the story.

Loved this!
This was such a fun and fast-paced read. I especially loved how Zach’s autism was shown as a superpower, not a problem. His unique way of thinking actually helps save the day, which is the kind of representation we need more of. A great story with heart, humor, and a lot of imagination.

Siblings, Marlow and Zach are curious people. Their mother works at an observatory. When the class takes a field trip to the wood to see a termite bridge on a pirate ship get destroyed, Zach and Marlow never expected that their world would change significantly. A sudden earthquake-like event occurs, the birds disappear, and the siblings’ teacher vanishes into the woods. Working with one of their mom’s coworkers, Zach and Marlow discover there is an energy anomaly somewhere in the woods causing it all. Using special instruments, they go in search of the epicenter of the problem Meanwhile, Leo, a self-proclaimed not curious cat and his friends are concerned that aliens are going around the town unnoticed. They believe the Big Behemoth is behind it all. All the neighborhood cats team up to save the day. Will Zach and Marlow save their town from whatever is happening? Will Leo and the other cats stop the Big Behemoth?

Narrator, Annalee Scott does a great job bringing to life each unique character with her intonations and narration. Her narrative style matches well with the authors’ writing styles. The plot is complex, well written, and impossible to put down. The characters are realistic, entertaining, and authentic. The authors do a great job of portraying Zach and his autism is a balanced way. The world building is realistic, well drawn, and draws the listener into Zach, Marlow, and Leo’s world with ease. Readers who like mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and books with similar feel to Erin Hunter’s Warriors series will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

Thanks to NetGalley and Southbound Films for the audiobook!
Narrated by Annalee Scott

If your kids or you enjoy Scooby-doo or Last Kids on Earth, you'll likely have a fun time with The Curiosities. There's zombies, aliens, cats (a cat's pov), and more. Eatons' take on the imagination of children with an adventurous mystery was well written and entertaining. All while incorporating science, nature, and more serious subjects like autism in a comforting, safe, and educational setting.
Annalee Scott did a great job with this narration. I liked that she didn't try to mimic children's voices (that often falls flat, imo) yet still sounded youthful and full of emotion. Characters were easily defined.
I'd recommend Curiosities for ages 10 and up, though younger kids could definitely enjoy this as well, especially with help from this audiobook.

The Curiosities is a great young adult science fiction book that was easy to read and well written. I enjoyed the book and the characters, and would definitely recommend it to others.

This was a great audiobook. I liked that there were multiple narrators and they each did a great job. I thought it was cool that the story is told through human perspective and cat. I thought that was unique. The pacing and plot were well done. I liked the family dynamics. I feel like the autistic representation was well done. He was important to the story and had people that encouraged and saw the good that he could do. I liked that he wasn't a character to be made to feel like a burden on everyone.

Two children move into a town known for its high concentration of scientists. While participating in a class-wide bet on when a certain shed will succumb to termites, they get their first taste of a strange object from space that's confusing every flying animal in the vicinity. Meanwhile, Leo the cat has also noticed that the birds are acting weirder than usual. He's not a curious cat. He really isn't. But he learns that it might be up to him to bring the birds back and prevent an even bigger catastrophe.

The way this book flipped between POV was disconcerting at times. Other than that, I really enjoyed this story. The ecological disaster was cleverly crafted and at least loosely based in science. The characters were believable and likable, even if I had to suspend my disbelief about a few cat antics. I appreciate the way that everyone had to learn to work together in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

LOVED this book. Bonus star to the amazing audiobook narrator that really brought to life so many different personalities.

This was a fun, funny, but engaging adventurous mystery for a rag-tag team of cats and a lovable brother-sister team. I fell in love with every cat and child in this book (the adults were ok/fine too). I loved that the kids managed to find misadventures without being down-right irresponsible or having any kind of bad relationship with their parent, though they definitely could have used their phones a bit more often. In general, the adults in this book giving the kids independence and trust while still being supportive and (mostly) protective was excellent representation to see.

Speaking of representation, I also REALLY loved and appreciated the autism representation in this. They did a phenomenal job showing how Autism is both a challenge and a superpower and great ways to provide assistance and accommodation. One of my favorite moments in this regard was when one character encouraged another to let the autistic character work through an event on their own when it was within their power to do so. Other times when assistance was offered, it was warranted. Overall, excellent autism rep, at least based on my own experience with autism in my family.

The cats were amazing in this book: cute and quirky personalities all. They offered some comic relief but also some sweet moments of connection that supported character development among the cats and the humans. My only complaint is that I don't know where I can get Merch of every cat in this book which I now desperately need!!

I fully plan on buying a physical copy and trying to rope my middle school and elementary school grade children into reading this one too.

I highly recommend this one for anyone who wants a fun fairly low-stakes adventure, but I especially recommend it to pre-teens, cat lovers and those looking for good neurodiverse representation.

With so many kids stories out there, it’s hard to make an impact but this feels like one that will stand the test of time.

Marlow and Zach, siblings, are curious about everything. They are supportive and protective of each other, a great and positive sibling dynamic! Both are incredibly smart with great personalities, and critical thinking skills. Also, the autism rep is great!

The cats! Oh my gosh, the cats! Love them! It’s so fun to get inside the minds of animals. I always enjoy these stories because I often wonder what my own cat is thinking.

Miss Layla is the kind, supportive and encouraging teacher that everyone wants to have.

It’s so refreshing to read about such a positive cast of characters!

Add in the adventures of checking out a pirate ship, along with missing birds and bugs, and a missing beloved teacher, this story is sure to be a hit with many kids!

Definitely recommend this audiobook. I would love to see this one released in print so I can get a copy for my kids.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Well this was absolutely adorable. A fun story with exciting mystery and adventure. The kids (and cats!) took the lead to solve the problem in their neighborhood.

A little disjointed in some parts, which made me confused, more than once. When the story would shift from the kids POV to the cats, it wasn't always clear. Then it would take me a few to understand. Then I had to rewind to listen to what I missed.

But other than the slight confusion, it was a cute "middle grade" book and reminded me of The Boxcar Children from my own youth. The book was tailored exactly to the “middle grade” range and wasn’t too mature, or baby. Adorable.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this work in audio format from Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review .

The Narration is wonderful and really brings the story and its characters to life. At is heart this story is call to be mindful of how things can affect the world around you.
The relationship between Marlow and Zach is wonderful and feels realistic and is full of fun and lots of love.
Also it has talking cats! What's not to love!

Its a great read for a lazy Saturday afternoon. I enjoyed this read it was lots of fun.

The Curiosities follows nature-loving siblings Marlow and Zach as their town falls into chaos after a minor earthquake. Bees are getting lost, birds are exhibiting odd behavior, their science teacher Ms. Layla disappeared into the mountains, and, according to the neighborhood cats, there may be an imminent alien invasion. The book’s split narration between the humans and Tulio (a cat determined not to be curious) makes for an engaging read that covers the story from different angles. Racing to solve the same mystery, the cats and humans collaborate in unexpected ways as they face unique challenges.
Given the book’s target audience of middle-grade children, I really enjoyed the focus on characters playing to their strengths. Marlow’s knowledge of nature was essential to their endeavors and Zach’s quick thinking in emergencies kept everything on track. Likewise, when a character fell short, they had the space to recognize where they went wrong and course-correct. It made the story feel authentic while also building characterization and strengthening the relationships between characters.
Equally delightful were the various hijinks of the story, including termite viewing parties on a pirate ship, food delivery robots, yarn, and antihistamines.
My enjoyment of the book as an adult would probably fall into the 4 star category, but it was very well-written stylistically and structurally, and given the target demographic I’m bumping that up a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!

Many thanks to the publisher, and NetGalley for my audio review copy!

I truly enjoyed this whimsical, fast-paced read, and can’t wait to share a copy with my kids, too. The characters were eclectic, from animals to neurodivergent kids, and all had redeeming traits! The adventure and mystery the sibling characters embark upon is educational and exciting.

Highly recommend!

This was a delight!
Great for middle schoolers who like rocks, space and cats. Of which this books has plenty!
I did at times forget that Leo was a cat and as a result I was confused for a few sentences before I remembered. 🤪
This was a fun read, and I thought the audio was great.
My favourite part was the pirate ship as a house! As a kid that would have been so cool to me.

Thank you #NetGalley for an advanced audio book version in exchange for an honest review

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons is a fun and easy to listen to middle grade book that hits the target. It has a little of everything for everyone. It has multiple points of views, talking animals and addresses autism in an organic and age appropriate manner. It touches on some supernatural phenomenon Written in a witty and fun manner that leaves the reader feeling good. As far as adventure books go this is right up there with the likes of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, the Goonies and Super 8. If you are looking to take an adventure, I highly recommend this thoroughly enjoyable read with well written characters,

I really enjoyed “The Curiosities” by W. H. Eatons! It was a fun, middle grade adventure with cats, crochet and a lot of curiosity. I think my favourite character was Mr Sneezy- the cat with crocheted armour and a lot of sneezes.

I thought it was great that there was autistic representation through Zach, although I’m not sure if this is an Own Voices book. Sometimes the descriptions of him stimming were a little clinical, but I liked how he learns to navigate the world and figures out what works for him. I also liked how his sister Marlow isn’t perfect in the way she supports Zach, and how the siblings work together to support each other by checking in with what they need.

Leo the cat has a great story arc too, learning to be curious and go beyond his comfort zone.

My reason for rating 4 stars is that at times, when the characters spoke, it didn’t sound like a natural rhythm, which was made more obvious in the audiobook. The audiobook narrator was fantastic!

Thank you to NetGalley and Southbound films for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I did not think that I was going to love this book as much as I did. It was definitely mysterious and suspenseful, but it was also heartfelt and hilarious. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough, especially for the cat chapters. Speaking of the cats, I loved how there were two main narratives, with the humans solving one mystery alongside the cats solving their own conundrum.
So many great characters and relationships, both human and feline. Loved the sibling bond, as well as the authentic Autism representation.
But huge shout out to Mr. Sneeze and Tybalt. Every line they each had was pure gold.
This is a sci-fi that require a bit of suspension of belief, but perfect for a middle grade audience.