The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum

Maggie is determined to prove that middle children can be useful as well. But her determination may lead to betraying the only friend she has and challenging her town's oldest law.

I went into this without reading the blurb properly, and I expected a fluffy piece about being the middle child and how hard it is. It's not that type of story. It's a proper dystopian, simplified for children to read.

I really enjoyed it. It is a simpler story, necessary for its age group, but it's not painfully young or over simple. Maggie grapples with some serious problems over the course of the book.

The only complaint I have is that I'm not sure where the epilogue comes. Is it after the last chapter? If so, what's the outcome of that chapter? Is it before that chapter? Then why isn't it specified?

Otherwise, this is a great adventure story and I highly recommend it.

US Cover                                 UK Cover

“I was special. I was a hero. I lost the best friend I ever had.”

Eleven-year-old Maggie lives in Fennis Wick, enclosed and protected from the outside world by a boundary, beyond which the Quiet War rages and the dirty, dangerous wanderers roam.

Her brother Jed is an eldest, revered and special. A hero. Her younger brother is Trig – everyone loves Trig. But Maggie’s just a middler; invisible and left behind. Then, one hot September day, she meets Una, a hungry wanderer girl in need of help, and everything Maggie has ever known gets turned on its head.

Narrated expertly and often hilariously by Maggie, we experience the trials and frustrations of being the forgotten middle child, the child with no voice, even in her own family.

This gripping story of forbidden friendship, loyalty and betrayal is perfect for fans of Malorie Blackman, Meg Rosoff and Frances Hardinge.