Book Review of The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland
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The Children’s Book Review
The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland
Written by M.L. Florez
Illustrated by Habib Mitha
Ages: 7-10 | 88 Pages
Publisher: Aber Stoat Publishing, LLC (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9907910-9-1
What to Expect: Friendship, self-esteem, acceptance, school, and identity.
Fitting in and finding acceptance are key priorities for middle schoolers. In this sweet, funny middle-grade novel, readers will meet a main character who has it harder than most—perhaps even more challenging than they do!
Maci loves thinking deeply, seeing beauty in the darker side of life, and writing poetry. Unfortunately, she lives in Whimsyville, where everyone and everything is bright, chirpy, and cheerful. Maci desperately wants people to accept her, so she tries everything she can to make people like her – from baking cookies for the bake sale to joining the cheerleading competition.
However, no matter what she tries, she just doesn’t fit in. Then she has a great idea – she’ll enter her dog, Roland, in the Town Hero competition! Maci is sure Roland can do a better job than her at impressing people, and if he wins, everyone will love them both! But could Maci be missing something important about her town … and herself?
Maci is introspective and thoughtful, and her self-identification of racing thoughts, anxiety, the need for quiet time, and loneliness can help normalize these emotions for readers. The story’s setting is gently, humorously improbable, providing a safe backdrop for Maci’s intense emotions, and lovely black-and-grey illustrations help underscore the disconnect between Maci and her community.
The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland is funny, sweet, and instructive. It gently guides readers to think about what it really means to fit in and find acceptance.
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About the Author
Meet M. L. Florez, the creative mind behind the delightful children’s book, The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland. With a passion for storytelling, Florez crafts enchanting tales that whisk young readers away into realms filled with laughter, adventure, and heartwarming connections. Currently pursuing her English degree, Florez’s love for literature and attention to detail breathe life into every story. Her unique perspective as a devoted partner and nurturing mother adds a sprinkle of magic, allowing her characters to leap off the page with relatable charm and delightful quirks.
When she isn’t penning her next adventure, you can find Florez tending to her garden of ideas, reading or spending time with her family. Join her on this enchanting journey, where stories come alive, and every page invites readers to explore the wonders of friendship, bravery, and imagination!
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of The Heroic Misadventures of Maci and Roland. Learn more about getting a book review …
