Children of Owl by Darcie Little Badger illustrated by Abigail Rajunov
Summary via Publisher:
Maisie: hasn’t gotten her life back on track since her best friend died and she saw Owl, harbinger of ill tidings and doom.
Joel: Streaming prodigy with questionable decision-making who’s been exiled to a summer of kitten fostering.
Verona: will do anything to leave their trailer park behind, even watch a house she knows is haunted.
Owl: son of Big Owl, who can’t help who he is, or how much he cares about these aforementioned humans.
Their four stories intertwine with a ghost bent on justice, an adorable feline Animal Person, and a vengeful monster headed straight for them in this singular YA fantasy novel from Newbery Honor-winning Darcie Little Badger.
My Thoughts: Ghostly activity, kittens, and harbingers of ill tidings and doom are certainly an interesting combination and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. For starters, the format will be a welcome one for many readers. There are multiple styles of writing with traditional text and then a font that looked like handwriting was used on what appeared to be tinted lined paper. Even more intriguing was the inclusion of random illustrations and 20+ pages of comics scattered throughout. I don’t know why publishers believe that only middle grade novels should get illustrations and I think it’s a happy day when we get illustrations in YA.
Even though there is imminent doom from the beginning of the story, the book is still quite warm and cozy. It’s a testament to the love and caring relationships. Maisie and her family can rely on each other and will do anything for any of their loved ones. There are scary moments in the book, but the strong bonds and internal activity of the characters will be what likely lingers in readers’ minds.
There is loss and grief that Maisie and her family are working through, but there is a feeling of support and community there. There are themes of trust, love, and healing. In addition, the whole story is rooted in the place and Lippan Apache culture.
This book also manages to fill a need that I have noticed and that is more YA on the younger side. So many books now are focused on senior year or college. Maisie is sixteen and some of the book is in the past so she’s even younger then.
Recommendation: Get it as soon as possible. Children of Owl is a delightfully creepy mystery with a lot of heart.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: 272
Review Copy: digital ARC via publisher
Availability: On sale October 6, 2026
Extra: Pre-order beadwork giveaway