Book Review of Trapped
The Children’s Book Review
Trapped
Written by Bella Olson
Illustrated by Natalya Kljajic
Ages: 8-12 | 185 Pages
Publisher: BenBella Books (2026) | ISBN: 9781637748701
What to Expect: Imagination, friendship, problem-solving, mystery, bravery, weirdness.
Eleven-year-old Ava must use her wits and a collection of bizarre inventions to escape a mad scientist’s trap-filled facility alongside two new friends and a talking, magic chicken.
After taking a wrong turn on her way home from school, budding inventor Ava finds herself imprisoned in the high-tech, surreal laboratory of the villainous Dr. Heynis. Inside, she discovers she is not alone when she meets two girls, Luna and Maya, who have been trapped for years. To find their way home, the trio must navigate a series of increasingly absurd challenges—including shark-infested pools, laser grids, and rooms full of aggressive clones—all while unraveling the mystery of the “Intelligent People Secret Society.”
Bella Olsonan is an 11-year-old Brazilian-American author whose writing is characterized by an authentic, high-energy kid voice that prioritizes imagination and fast-paced action. Character traits are quickly established as Ava’s escape is fueled by her inventive spirit and the philosophy that “weird is the new cool,” showing readers that creativity and engineering are powerful tools for navigating uncertainty.
Through her journey, Ava demonstrates that resilience and courage aren’t about being fearless, but about using persistence and even humor to move forward when things get hard. The plot and setting contain whimsical elements—such as keys conveniently falling from the ceiling whenever needed and wonderful descriptions of the facility’s surreal environments, like the breathing floors and spiky walls—all contributing to the story’s video game-level structure that keeps the momentum high.
Scattered throughout the story are illustrations by Natalya Kljajic that match the author’s style, providing visual context for the more imaginative elements and helping to anchor the details for the reader.
Trapped is a charming and wildly creative debut that serves as a testament to the power of a young person’s imagination. It is a perfect fit for middle-grade readers who enjoy fast-paced adventures, quirky humor, and stories that celebrate being “weird.”
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About the Author
Bella Olson is the 11-year-old founder of Avocado Awesomeness, a YouTube channel dedicated to all things fun, creative, and just a little bit extra. Bella is a SLAY Brazilian-American fluent in both Portuguese and English. A musical theater enthusiast, she has brought characters to life in The Lion King, Descendants, Matilda, and many more—and she can perform the Hamilton soundtrack start to finish without missing a beat.
