My Rating: 4.5*

Middle grade children adventure books are some I am often drawn to for a light read with low-ish stakes and cute characters. Within this story, we have older sister Marlow and younger brother Zach, each with their own unique personalities and perspectives. Marlow has an online video channel about bees and herbs and the like while Zach is curious about everything and often “experiments” with what cats are curious about with the neighborhood cats, as well as having a great mind for leadership under-pressure. The author does a phenomenal job of addressing Zach’s autism by making it more like his superpower rather than a hindrance. The author also shows how some characters such as other school kids do not understand autism and thus see it as a weakness or see Zach as just “being different”.

Marlow and Zach are sucked into a whirlwind adventure when they are visiting a teacher’s house (pirate ship) with a group of other kids to watch a termite structure collapse. However, an earthquake hits the area around the same time and the teacher runs off to check on the bee hives located in the mountainous terrain. Marlow and Zach also notice the local wildlife is not acting normally, however, the cats of the neighborhood also seem to be on the case, especially Leo who is looking for where the birds have gone since his brother Cowfuzzi seems to be distraught by their absence.

Such a cute story and I was fully invested in the friends who banded together to solve the mystery. Very much a Goonies style mystery with kids on bikes off to save the day.

Thank youuu! I am so happy this was an option as Listen Now! I was able to get the ebook as well and I am so excited to listen with my daughter. She has just started her reading journey, and reading this before bed was great. Now I am able to have her reread any time she wants with this amazing audio! Very well read and easy to listen to.

I spent a lot of this book working to figure out what genre this book is. I have students who cannot read anything containing magic, so I always want to be prepared to tell them when a book is not a good fit. Despite some chapter names and the beginning chapter, there is no magic in this book. It is firmly science fiction.

Leo, the neighborhood cat, is proud of the fact that he is not curious. As hard as the cat talker (Zach) down the block tries to engage Leo, he does not give in to the temptation of curiosity. But when Leo's brother is distraught because all the birds disappear after an earthquake and landslide, Leo works to figure out what is going on. He joins two children, Zach the cat talker, and middle school sister Marlow in figuring out what is going on in their town.

This was a very enjoyable middle-grade mystery. The cats and kids were all wonderful characters. It kept me guessing throughout. I am ordering a copy for my elementary library, and I think it will work well in any collection aimed at middle-grade readers.

The narrator is excellent, and I enjoyed the cat voices!

Thank you to Net Galley and Southbound Films for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I've always loved books where something big is happening and the kids in the story figure out what they should be doing. In this case, curiosity is important, but it's also important that the kids in this story have their own unique skills and abilities. Zach, who is autistic, his sister Marlow, and their cat friend Leo take on the forces coming against their town. This is an adventure/science fiction book, which I also found fun. Thanks to NetGalley, I got to listen to the audiobook, and the narrator was well chosen for both the voice and ability to make the story exciting.

I loved it so much! Cute, witty, funny, and mysterious. Held my attention the whole book. My kids will love it! Clean, no agendas. Discussed topics such as autism, bullies, friendship and family.

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: middle grade
Themes: nature advocates, zombies, cats
📖 Read if you like: Wonder

Curiosity can kill the cat, so Leo has tried to maintain a life without it. When the neighbourhood cat seer prophesies that an earth shattering event will occur, and only Leo will be able to save the day, his life is thrown asunder.

Now we meet the humans. Siblings Marlow and Zach are children of a space scientist. Well versed in meteorology, these children are curious about absolutely everything. Enamoured with the world around them, and especially the natural world, they are keen observers and fearless investigators.

When an earthquake sets off a chain reaction that leads to a missing teacher on the human side, and an observation of missing birds on the cat side something very curious will happen. With an apocalypse in the making, both human and cat crews will be needed for what comes next. In a story that features a blue alien, zombie inducing spores, real science mixed into the fantastical, a a Shakespeare playing cat I promise there will be something unexpected and curious in this tale for readers of any age.

It has been a while since I have read a middle grade book, but I am once again astounded by the creativity in this genre. The story was outlandish, and yet it was rooted in the real world representing real issues society and the environment face. It was nice to have a neurodivergent main character and a rag tag band of oddballs. While it did change the dynamics between the siblings, it also showed why Zach made a great hero for this story, and why Marlow’s compassion extended far beyond her brother. I like when all the kids are weird, because most kids are just that. It can be cool to be curious and smart and wanting to save the world!

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Southbound Films for a chance to review this audiobook. I had a riot on this adventure that made me smile and worry at the same time. There were a few surprises and I like that the focus was on an environmental issue. The sections with the kids were faster in narration, but it really made me feel like I was in the room with these excited and anxious children. Overall a very engaging story with wonderful narration by Annalee Scott.

The story follows Zach and Marlow Metzler, brother - sister duo who are curious about everything and the recent mysterious and strange happenings are adding to their curiosity. The neighborhood cat knows better than to be curious. He tends to stay far away from the very term.

One day, their neighbourhood suddenly goes haywire when all the birds , insects disappear and their favourite teacher who is just as curious as them also disappears. With an impending alien invasion and an already most out of hands zombie attack, the trio along with others race against time to eliminate all the mayhem and restore their hometown to its former glory.

An utterly captivating and fascinating story that has science and curiosity while infusing cat humour. The elements of surprises, mystery and twists kept me turning its pages. The author has an incredible writing style, it's propulsive and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook as the narrator did an amazing job. As an avid reader of middle grade novels, this book was an absolute page-tuner and the adventure is something that you shouldn't miss out on.

What an amazing book! I will leave thoughts about possible social, moral and/or political commentary to more scholarly minded readers. What I found most compelling was its mental health representation! It is so important for people of all ages to read about this subject, but by presenting it so eloquently, it spans the generations. I also think the message of acceptance and forgiveness of not only others, but of ourselves, is unparalleled in any other book I’ve read. Well done!

I listened to this one with my kids and they loved it. One of my daughters loves cats, so a story with talking cats had her hooked. We enjoyed the world this story created and the characters connections.

A Wildly Imaginative, Heartfelt Sci-Fi Adventure for Young Readers!

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons is an absolute delight from start to finish! This story bursts with adventure, heart, and just the right amount of weird—and I mean that in the best way possible. Siblings Marlow and Zach Metzler are endlessly curious, and their thirst for discovery launches them (and readers) into a fast-paced mystery full of disappearing animals , creepy spores, secret hideouts, and—yes—possible alien invasions.

What really sets this book apart is its perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. It gave me the whimsical curiosity of The Magic School Bus, the wonder and sibling bond of E.T., and a dash of The Walking Dead’s eerie suspense—all crafted for middle grade readers!

Zach, who is autistic, completely stole my heart. His nickname, “Cheetah Brain,” is so fitting—he’s quick-thinking and shines brightest during emergencies. The way the story highlights how he and his sister manage overstimulation is both thoughtful and empowering. Autism isn’t treated as a hurdle here—it’s a unique strength, and I loved seeing that kind of representation in such a fun, action-packed setting.

And let’s not forget Leo the cat and his fellow feline commandos! Their POV chapters added humor, insight, and an unexpected layer of heroism. Watching the neighborhood cats band together to “fight off zombies” and mind-altering mushrooms? Purrfection.

This book is a middle grade sci-fi gem that I’ll be recommending to every young reader I know. It’s clever, inclusive, and full of heart—and I hope it becomes a series, because I’m already craving the next adventure with this quirky crew!

Thank you to the author, publisher, narrator and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio ALC of this title in exchange for my review.

This was such a fun book to listen to! There are so many children's books available, some last through generations, others are temporary due to their writing style. This one feels like it will be one that lasts the generations. For someone who grew up wanting to be Trixie Belden (didn't enjoy Nancy Drew as much), this was just what I wanted.

Two siblings with their own quirks get together to solve a mysterious new problem. Add a bunch of interesting cats, and we're off for an adventure!

5 stars - loved it and would recommend it to anyone with younger readers, or any adult looking for a stroll down memory lane.

The Curiosities is an absolute gem of a read. With an imaginative plot and characters that span the full spectrum of quirky, smart, autistic, and brave, this book hits all the right notes for both kids and adults.

Siblings Marlow and Zach are so curious, always chasing after the next big mystery—and Leo is the hilariously determined to not to be curious cat because we all know what curisosity did to the cat! The adventure that unfolds is fast-paced, clever, and full of surprises, from disappearing teachers to zombie showdowns and aliens? The story strikes a great balance between action and humor, with just enough heart to make you care deeply about what happens next.

The narration is pitch-perfect, bringing every character to life in a way that makes the story easy to follow and hard to put down. Whether you're reading aloud to a child, sneaking in a few chapters yourself, or listening as a family, this book is a blast from beginning to end.

Highly recommended for curious kids, adventurous grownups, and anyone who’s ever wondered what their cat is really thinking.

This book takes the reader on an adventure full of giant cats, devious aliens, zombie humans (don't worry, it's reversible using anti-histamines!), talking animals, and dangerous meteorite fragments that contribute to chaos in a small town.

Marlow and Zach Metzler move with their scientist mother to their new home, where Zach - is on the autism spectrum - quickly finds a focus for his interest in animals and curiosity is, but is less successful in fitting in at school. Luckily, his older sister Marlow helps him out most of the time, but even she sometimes finds it draining.

This is a really original and creative piece of story telling which consistently entertains and excites the reader's imagination. Tullio the cat, aka Leo, is a delight, as are his feline companions. It's a difficult story to describe, so I'm just going to say: read it!

Marlow and Zach are siblings that have completely different personality types. Zach is on the spectrum. He is bright and quirky. I actually really like his character. The two are always looking out for the next mystery which comes in the form of a possible alien invasion. As all the birds, insects and their favorite teacher disappear, they begin their quest to find the answers.
An added bit of fun is the boring neighborhood care, Leo, who doesn’t find fun in anything. But, as he realizes that real danger may be on the forefront, he aligns with his cat buddies assist Marlow and Zach to find the truth.
The story comes from two perspectives, the kids and the cats. Switching between them is flawless. The book was engaging and I enjoyed the characters and the plot line.
An added bonus, along with the book, I listened to the audible. Kudos to the narrator for doing a fabulous job with all the characters, even the animals. I will be recommending this book to my students and teachers

A whimsical and imaginative adventure of curious siblings Marlow and Zach, and some magical cats- whom they will try to solve the mysteries that is happening in their town, fight zombies and a possible alien invasion.

This was a very enjoyable middle-grade mystery. The cats and kids were all wonderful characters.

The narrator did an amazing job in narrating the book.

Thank you for ARC -audio NetGalley and Southbound Films.

A whimsical middle grade fantasy adventure, The Curiosities, follows human siblings, Marlow and Zach, and neighborhood cat, Leo, as they independently try to figure out what’s happening to the wild animals in their town. I won’t get too into the plot since it’s fun to see how everything unfolds, and it’s honestly a little all over the place in a very imagination forward way. But this story really hits home for the little kiddo in me with some of the story from the cat’s perspective and the wild twists that made me smile.

All three main characters are worth rooting for. Marlow is a great big sister, even when she struggles to make decisions. Zach is a smart animal lover who is trying to fit in with his autism diagnosis. And Leo is a cat who always tries to resist his natural curiosity. I loved switching between their perspectives throughout as it moved the plot along at a good clip. This is a fun read for the kid in your life or the kid in your heart.

I never really request children’s books and I’m glad I did! My son loves to read and asked if there was anything on here he might like so I requested the first one I saw to make sure it was okay for him to read.

I was thoroughly surprised at how much I enjoyed the read! The characters were great and they made some very interesting decisions throughout the story.

I will be buying this for my son! Thank you to the publisher and the author for allowing me to listen!

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons is a wonderfully engaging story that blends suspense, mystery, and sibling loyalty in a way that feels both exciting and age-appropriate for young readers. I listened to the audiobook version and was especially impressed by Annalee Scott’s narration, she brought the characters to life with clarity and warmth, making it easy to stay immersed in the story.

The bond between siblings Marlow and Zach was a highlight for me. Their teamwork, curiosity, and care for one another add a heartfelt layer to the unfolding mystery, making it not just a thrilling adventure but an emotional journey as well.

I’ll be adding both the book and audiobook to my elementary school library. I think my students will really enjoy the atmosphere of suspense and the puzzle-like plot. A great pick for readers who love a good mystery with strong characters and just the right amount of intrigue.

Thank you NetGalley and Southbound Films for the ARC.

Super cute and fun adventure. I listened to this as an audiobook with my cat loving 11yo daughter. We had a blast. There were moments that were jaw-dropping and others that were literal LOL. As an adult who still loves to read books for younger audiences, I would rate this a 4 star book. As I am writing this with my daughter reading behind my shoulder, she would only allow me to rate it 5 stars because she enjoyed it so much!

Listened to this one with my kiddo during our very long car ride, she absolutely enjoyed every moment of this story and was very engaged to keep listening and see what would happen next

Marlow and Zack have great curiosity so when they meet Leo, a local cat they are fascinated that he has no curiosity at all. This is all about to change when all the birds disappear what is going on, can all this have happened because of an earthquake?

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters in this well paced, adventure novel for humans, cats and maybe aliens. Will the birds return and how much curiosity can Leo cope with? Lots of fun, enjoy.

A very cute and engaging story. I really enjoyed the cat characters and the most uncurious cat in the world. The representation of autism felt appreciate to what I've experienced with my own family. The plot was interesting and kept my attention. The narrator was great. Her voice was a good match for a kid's book and she was able to create even subtle vocal distinctions that made it easier to know who was talking.

I snagged the audiobook of The Curiosities from NetGalley when it popped up as a Listen Now and I’m so glad I did, it was a fun middle grade adventure!

The story follows siblings Marlow and Zach, who are curious about literally everything. Then there’s Leo the cat, who’s the total opposite, he wants nothing to do with curiosity (you know, because of the whole 'curiosity killed the cat' thing… he takes that very seriously).

At just under seven hours, this sci-fi/fantasy mystery was a quick and entertaining listen. Nature starts acting weird, a teacher goes missing and suddenly Marlow and Zach are thrown into a wild mystery they’re determined to solve. It’s got a great mix of adventure, weird science fiction and heartwarming sibling teamwork.

The audiobook was well done, but I can imagine the print version, with illustrations would be fun to flip through also. It’s a great story about loyalty, bravery, and stepping outside your comfort zone to protect the people, wild life (and pets) you love.

My thanks to Southbound Films for the e-audio in exchange for an honest review!

I had the chance to listen to the audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a delightful middle-grade adventure that’s perfect for younger readers — or anyone young at heart!

The story follows curious siblings Marlow and Zach, along with the not-so-curious cat, Leo, who also narrates parts of the tale. Together, they dive into a quirky mystery involving missing birds and bees, space-related surprises, and… possibly zombies?

One standout aspect for me was the representation of Zach, who is autistic. His character was portrayed thoughtfully and authentically, adding depth and heart to the story.

Full of humor, mystery, and fun, this book is an enjoyable read for all ages. I especially loved how everything came together at the end. I’m giving this one 4 stars!

Going on a road trip with kids and want to do more than have them on their tablets the whole time? Grab this story as an audio book for the whole family.

What a great story! I am an adult reader taken in by the description of this middle grade book. Marlow and Zach, our protagonists, have a supportive, fun, scientist mother. They've recently moved to be closer to their Mom's work. Both kids are positive, energetic, curious and very much modern kids who love nature and exploring. When nature starts changing with earthquakes, disoriented bees and missing birds; It's up to big sis Marlow, little brother Zach and a merry band of friends to find out what's happened and save their town.

I had to look the author up to see how old they are. I am not surprised at all that he is near my age. This book took me back to the adventurous kid movies I grew up with in the 80's. Everything from kids at space camp to adventures with pirate ships, all rolled up in a modern adventure for a new generation. W.H. Eatons is a family effort in writing and they have created a wonderful adventure full of curiosity, chaos, discovery, "zombies", science facts and some science fiction. And we not only get to see it from the sibling view, but from the view of the neighborhood cats. Wonderfully descriptive of the setting and the circumstances and well read by Annalee Scott who did great with differentiating the characters voices. I did listen to this book and highly recommend it. I think it would a fun dual read with parent and child. Or a perfect listen on a road trip with the family. It's a (rare) 5 star story!

Thank you #netgalley and #southboundfilms for the audio version in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This started a lil slowly for me, but I ended up enjoying it a LOT more than I thought I would! I loved the kitties and the two main characters. I love the attention to real life deeper problems in the midst of the main plot point. The beginning was a lil rocky, I think the worldbuilding in the beginning could do with some work, but that was the only issue I had. It was the kind of book with a lot of moving parts, but the moving parts came together very well by the end! Overall such a fun read, and I think kids will LOVE this story!

Audio format

This was a super fun middle grade adventure book! It has it all….zombies, aliens, science, mystery and cats. A really fun book. The audio narration was exceptional

I am giving this one a 5/5!

Thank you Net Galley for an audio copy of this boon in exchange for a review. Opinions are my own.

Thank you to Southbound Films for my gifted audiobook copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. 4.25 stars
Narrator Annalee Scott does a wonderful job voicing the cats and humans alike.

The Curiosities is a perfect audiobook to take along on a road trip or vacation for all your middle grade kids. This will keep the adults entertained as well, I suspect. Timely and timeless it hearkens to The Goonies and maybe a bit of the newer fantasy/sci fi tales such as Stranger Things.

Siblings Marlow and Zach get along pretty well. Zach also happens to have a level of autism of which Marlow feels responsible for his management of it. This seems to be handled well within the context of the story with some growth of Marlow's character seeing her brother using his skills to help through stressful times.

The plot though is chalk full of cats, space, aliens, zombies, earthquakes, a pirate ship, and improbably, the color blue. When things begin to get weird in their small town with people, animals, and insects missing, siblings pull together to figure things out. At the same time, a group of cats also start investigating the strange happenings. Featured cat, Leo, the least curious cat you will ever know, is challenged to get curious to save the town and possible the world.

Lots of fun and adventure to be had in this tale. Also of note is the love and respect the characters have toward each other but not in an overly saccharine way.

A suspenseful adventure of mystery, magic, and whimsy, all while siblings grow their bond along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and Southbound Films for this ALC.

Annalee Scott was a joy to listen to.

This story was whimsical. Talking cats (not cat to human, just cat to cat) make me giggle.

First and foremost I would like to thank Southbound Films and NetGalley for sending me an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was interested in reading The Curiosities because I have a great love for young reader and middle grade novels. There’s always so much insight packed into them and, paired with a usually optimistic viewpoint, they are a great comfort to me. That being said this book did not let me down.

I loved the characters, I loved the way they all had very unique points of views, and I loved the way they looked out for one another. As a mother to an autistic child it was beautiful to see the way Zach navigated the world and how his differences were celebrated. The family dynamic between Zach and Marlow was so loving and supportive it warmed my heart to read.

The plot was well thought out and expertly paced. The multiple povs we follow all added their own special insights. I particularly enjoyed following Leo the cat around as he learns to trust his natural curiosity and makes new friends along the way.

The audio narration hooked me from the very beginning and I thought it was very well done.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves science and fun urban legend type conspiracy theories as well as just an overall wholesome vibe.

We follow the Metzler,brothers in a curious adventure, along with Tulio, or Lio for friends, weird stuff is going on around lately, the birds are missing, the bugs are acting out, even ants are behaving oddly, and at the same time the favorite science teacher goes missing.
So we have this curious brothers and a totally not curious cat finding answers and saving the world in the process.

This was such a fun audiobook, the story was super fun, and pretty funny, I was smiling or laughing a lot of times during this story, but I really really really want to talk about the diversity in this book, Zack, is a young autist boy.
Books are supposed to educate people, to make them think, and to force us to see the world in a diffferent manner just for a while, so that later on we can be better, books are created to make stories worth sharing known all over, and this book is exactly the reason why I love reading, it educated me and made me improve as a person, all thanks to this young boy named Zack, his sister Marlo, and the not curious Lio.
The book is educative in several aspects, it has a lot of science facts here and there, it teaches you about autism, the good and the bad, and how if affects the ones who surround this people, it was an enriching story.

As I mentioned earlier I got a copy of the audiobook, and this narrator is wonderful I hope I can listen more of her in the future, if the story on its own its good, with this narrator it was even better, superb even.
I recommend this book to anyone, but specially for those looking for more diverse reads.
If you want to read a book about different people in a way their differences are nor hidden neither the only personality of the characters, but as a part of a complete person, as real as you and me.

I thank Netgalley and the publisher for I received an AAC for this book in exchange for an honest review, all of the opinions stated are my own.

The Curiosities by W.H. Eatons
adventurous funny informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5 stars

This was a fast paced adventure that reminded me of the Goonies but with cats! The characters are loveable and I really felt that the insight into being a child with autism was dealt with beautifully.
The narrator, Annalee Scott, told the story wonderfully, the voices for the different characters allowed to differentiate between each one and portrayed their emotions and how each situation impacted them really well. I can't wait to share this beautiful story with my sons though may wait for them to be a little older and I feel that some of the themes specifically the zombies may be a little scary for them.

Thanks to Net Galley and Southbound Films for providing me with the opportunity to listen to the ALC for review consideration.

This was so good. The story was adorable. I loved the cat's point of view also. The children's curiosity was such a fun part of the story. I love that it has zombies, aliens, and meddling kids. I definitely recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Southbound Films for allowing me to read the audiobook arc of this in exchange for my 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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I loved the narrator!
I also loved the changing of POV.
The setting was cool, the mystery immersive, and the characters very relatable. I loved the story line and the relationship between the sister and brother main characters. I also loved that this was a little suspenseful!