PUZZLEHEART, by Jenn Reese, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), May 14, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 9-12)
A 12-year-old tries to lift their dad’s spirits with a trip to his childhood home in Puzzleheart, a middle-grade novel by Jenn Reese.
Twelve-year-old Perigee has never met a problem they couldn’t solve. So, when their Dad’s spirits need raising, Perigee formulates the Plan: a road trip to Dad’s childhood home to reunite him with his estranged mother. There’s something in it for Perigee, too, as they will finally get to visit “Eklunds’ Puzzle House,” the mysterious bed & breakfast their grandparents built but never opened.
They arrive ahead of a massive storm and the House immediately puts Perigee’s logical, science-loving mind to the test. Corridors shift. Strange paintings lurk in the shadows. Encoded messages abound. Despite Perigee’s best efforts, neither the House nor Grandma will give up their secrets. And worse, prickly Grandma has outlawed games and riddles of any kind.
Even the greatest of plans can crumble, and as new arguments fill the air, the House becomes truly dangerous. Deadly puzzles pop up at every turn, knives spin in the hallways, and staircases disappear. The answer lies at the heart of the House, but in order to find it, Perigee and their new friend Lily will need to solve a long-lost, decades-old riddle… if the House itself doesn’t stop them first. —Synopsis provided by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Puzzleheart is a quirky read, with a quirky house and lots of mysteries to solve.
At the center of the story is Perigee, a nonbinary character whose good intentions go slightly awry. Perigree is a loving kid who is well-realized. As are the other characters — including the house itself. Emotional intelligence plays a lovely role here, too. This is a good one for mental health.
Puzzleheart is a fast-moving read with engaging characters and a dynamic plot, making it a good choice heading into summer.
*The nonbinary element of Puzzleheart feels natural within the setting. Perigree is who Perigree is. However, for kids who have not been exposed to or have not learned about gender identity, the use of they/them instead of he or she may be confusing. This book is a good catalyst for discussion.
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