The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell

What worked:

Maggie is anonymously left at an orphanage but the nuns send her to the Midwatch Institute due to her bad behavior. The cannery owner’s son was bullying some young kids so she pushed him off the wharf and into the bay. This shows how she’s willing to protect the weak from the strong. Midwatch has a reputation for taking in the worst kids but Maggie is shocked when she’s settled within its walls. Girls are taught useful skills for solving crimes and keeping the city safe although Maggie doesn’t understand exactly what that means. One surprise for readers might be that the institute has no bullies. Maggie and two other recruits are immediately accepted by other girls so they easily transition to the new setting. There is some banter between first-year and second-year girls but nothing malicious or mean.

Many chapters end with mini-lessons for some of those useful skills mentioned above. These pages add levity to the story even though some seem a bit strange. One of the lessons describes how to escape an alligator attack and another covers how to dance the Charleston. It's easier to see how learning to communicate with Morse Code and training animals might be useful in helping others. Maggie is surprised by her class schedule but readers will recognize the usefulness of the lessons. They include learning to speak German, read maps, and hide. Maneuvering around the institute tests her agility as it’s often like completing an obstacle course.

The plot’s conflict emerges as it nears the midpoint and it will make readers wonder. People have been disappearing around the city but no one is sure what’s causing it. There’s nothing supernatural about life at the institute so readers will suspect a person or gang must be responsible. However, news reports describe a large beast due to growls heard and scratch marks found at the locations. Eventually, a librarian reports a missing woman and the police direct him to the institute. Everyone is stumped by a note left by the woman until Nell, another new arrival and Maggie’s friend, realizes there’s a cry for help hidden within the words. This leads to Maggie and the other first-years becoming part of the search but things don’t work out as smoothly as they hope. The plot builds to an exciting climax above the city!

What didn’t work as well:

I’m not female but the premise of the story might bother some readers. The girls can move freely around town because no one expects anything from females, especially young ones. The man inspecting Midwatch thinks sewing is the best way to improve a young girl’s character so that’s what the teachers and girls show him when he visits. Nevertheless, the young, female characters at Midwatch prove to be brave, resourceful detectives.

The final verdict:

The book has similarities to another one called The School for Wicked Witches. The most interesting part of the story is Midwatch’s façade of a strict institute for wayward girls while it secretly trains them to keep the city safe. The absence of petty squabbles, jealousy, and malicious bullying is refreshing and the immediate comradery between characters is very enjoyable. Overall, this book will make readers feel positive and entertained and I recommend you give it a shot!