The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees, illustrated by Vivienne To
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format Read:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   384 pages
Publishing:  March 28th, 2026
Source: NetGalley

Opening Line:  "It began with a crack in the wall."

The prologue introduces the earlier story of Edwid and his twin sister, Elizabella.  Edwid hears a whisper coming from a crack in the wall, and the voice tells him it needs his help to escape captivity.   The speaker claims to be the author of the famous Jamima Cleave detective stories and says he's being held by someone who steals people's ideas and traps them inside the walls.  Determined to help, Edwid plans to travel to Olfred Wickers house to find the key that can unlock their prison. 

Eleven-year-old Benjamin Creek is a logical, science-oriented thinker who doesn't believe in magic.  But when a mysterious doll comes in the mail that changes into a bird, he still follows it to Wreathenwold.  Far from his parent's bookstore, Benjamin has entered an alternate world unlike anything he has ever seen before.  Everyone within Wreathenwold has a poppet, or doll that can transform into a creature companion, like a bird, a monkey and even a bear.  Poppet's aid their owners by performing tasks and help in defense.    The city consists of a labyrinth of streets and there are no maps to help guide you.  If you walk too far away from your home, the labyrinth has a way of making you forget your way back.  At the center there is also a Minotaur and Hanged Men patrol the city to keep the peace and work for the color trader.

Soon after his arrival, Ben meets Hansel and his daughter Elizabella, who tells him about her twin brother Edwid's disappearance.  Intrigued by the mystery, and moved by Elizabella's determination, Ben promises to help her search for him.  Their journey leads them through a trail of clues and memories Edwid left behind in Whisperwick lanterns.  Together they travel through the Whispering Woods, to The Magimmaculum, the Company of Mapmakers, and The Shrouded Palace.  Along the way, they face numerous dangers, must overcome various obstacles and even face the legendary color trader, Viper, who hordes the pigment of people's eye colors for her own evil plans.  And at the very heart of the Labyrinth, they must confront the Minotaur if they hope to rescue Edwid. 

Each chapter begins with a quote from A Brief History of Wreathenwold, offering bits of folklore about the city, the dollmakers and the poppets.  These excerpts work wonderfully, making it feel as though we're discovering this world right alongside Ben as he reads.  Ben is cautious by nature, but it's his curiosity that first draws him to enter this new world.  At first, he tries to rationalize everything he encounters but eventually accepts that not everything can be explained.  Being in this new world provides him with a relief from his parents impending divorce back home.  Elizabella in contrast, is impulsive and chaotic, leaping ahead into danger without hesitation.  Unflinching she's ready to hurtle through the labyrinth, while Ben would prefer to map out their route to avoid getting lost.  Their opposite personalities make their growing friendship even more meaningful as they learn to rely on each other.  

The illustrations by Vivienne To are stunning, detailed and bring the special moments in the book to life. I enjoyed all the nods to Greek mythology with mentions of Theseus, the Minotaur and the snake like rope, Ariadne.  This is a delightful story to immerse yourself in and would appeal to readers who are fans of fantastical worlds, adventures and the search for a lost sibling.  Similiar to The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver 

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog  HERE