Published: 2021
Series: The Moonwind Mysteries #1
Author: Johan Rundberg
Translator: A.A. Prime
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Thriller
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 7-12 (Middle School & High School)
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: The Night Raven
Triggers: Serial killer violence, child abandonment, gruesome murder descriptions, poverty/historical orphanages
Review By: Sara Tripp
Publisher’s Summary:
Mika is not your average orphan—and she’s about to prove it.
It’s 1880, and in the frigid city of Stockholm, death lurks around every corner. Twelve-year-old Mika knows that everyone in her orphanage will struggle to survive this winter. But at least the notorious serial killer the Night Raven is finally off the streets…or is he?
Mika is shocked when a newborn baby is left at the orphanage in the middle of the night, by a boy with a cryptic message. Who is he? And who is this “Dark Angel” he speaks of? When a detective shows up, Mika senses something even more sinister is going on.
Drawn in by Mika’s unique ability to notice small details—a skill Mika has always used to survive—the gruff Detective Hoff unwittingly recruits her to help him with his investigation into a gruesome murder. Mika knows she should stay far, far away, and yet…with such little hope for her future, could this be an opportunity? Maybe, just maybe, this is Mika’s chance to be someone who matters.
Review:
Set in the hauntingly beautiful landscape of Sweden, in a world where secrets lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. Detective Hoff discovers he needs the help of Mika a young girl living in an orphanage. It would seem hard to imagine that a detective would take the help and advice of a young girl but he will do anything to solve the mystery of the serial killer that lurks within their city. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel the fabric of the community. Mika finds that the mystery may involve herself more than she thought. She must find the courage to see it through even when others under estimate her. Mika’s attention to detail and confidence within herself is refreshing and a great character for young girls to look up to. Can’t wait to check out Book #2! Sequel is The Queen of Thieves: The Moonwind Mysteries
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- World History / Social Studies (19th-Century European Societies): Use the book to explore the historical realities of the late 1800s industrial era, focusing on class divides, child welfare, and poverty in Europe. Students can research and contrast the living conditions of Swedish orphanages with those found in Victorian England or Gilded Age America.
- English Language Arts (Developing Deductive Reasoning & Imagery): Analyze how the author utilizes sensory details and atmospheric imagery to build suspense in a historical setting. Have students track the “clues” Mika discovers and write an analytical paragraph explaining how her keen attention to detail functions as a survival mechanism.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Empowerment: Focus on Mika’s character arc regarding self-reliance, resilience, and personal worth. Lead a discussion on how she builds confidence despite being underestimated due to her age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Creative Writing Extension Activity: Have students step into the role of a detective or a sharp-eyed observer. Task them with analyzing a common, everyday room or scene in school, listing ten small, easily missed details that tell a hidden narrative about what happened there earlier in the day.
