Welcome back to #WorldKidLit Month 2025! Today’s post comes to us from Staci Fox.

One of the coolest things about running a library these days? Our readers are more connected to the world than ever before. Whether it’s through travel, streaming services, international classmates, or even TikTok trends, there’s a real appetite for stories that go beyond our own borders. Translated fiction acts like a passport for our patrons, allowing them to dive into diverse cultures, languages, and histories without ever leaving their favorite reading spot. In a world that often feels divided, these stories offer a gentle yet powerful way to foster empathy and show us just how universal themes like courage, mystery, and justice can be.

“Ms. Fox I want a murder mystery!”

It is a request from middle grade students I hear all too frequently. You know those kids, as I’m sure you have them too. They see their older siblings or older friends reading all the Holly Jackson or Karen McManus books, and they are desperate to get in on the action. A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon Johan Rundberg’s Moonwind Mysteries book series. Rundberg is from Stockholm, Sweden. The first Moonwind Mystery, The Night Raven, was awarded the August Prize in 2021 in the category of Swedish children’s and young adult book of the year. Rundberg also received the Astrid Lindgren Prize in 2023 for distinguished authorship in children’s and young adult literature.

So check out Swedish author Johan Rundberg! He’s already a big name in Scandinavia, and now he’s breaking through in English with his award-winning series, The Moonwind Mysteries (originally called Månvind & Hoff). Picture Victorian-era Stockholm with its shadowy alleyways, and meet twelve-year-old orphan Mika Moonwind, who finds herself solving crimes alongside Constable Valdemar Hoff. The first three books available in English—The Night Raven (2023, translated by A.A. Prime), The Queen of Thieves (2023, translated by A.A. Prime), and The Lost Ones (2025, translated by Eva Apelqvist)—are filled with complex mysteries and fantastic historical detail. They’re like a fresh take on Dickens meets Sherlock Holmes, tailored for today’s middle-grade readers. [See Nanette McGuiness’s full review of The Night Raven on GLLI here. The Night Raven was also on the 2024 GLLI Translated Young Adult Book Prize Shortlist!]

Rundberg’s 1880s Stockholm is a world that truly comes alive; it’s gritty, cold, and filled with vibrant markets, creaky orphanages, and flickering gaslight that immerse you deeply into its atmosphere. The mysteries presented, like missing children and class injustices, carry real stakes that feel urgent without crossing into sensationalism. Mika, our heroine, embodies cleverness and bravery, appealing to kids who appreciate a character with both brains and backbone. A. A. Prime and Eva Apelqvist have done an excellent job with the translations, ensuring the pace remains quick and the tone authentic, so young readers hardly notice it’s a translation—they’re too engrossed in the story. The series masterfully balances darkness and hope, confronting tough realities while also showcasing friendship, courage, and the promise of justice.

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Librarian Tips: Putting Moonwind Mysteries to Work

• Cross-Curricular Tie-ins: Collaborate with social-studies teachers to highlight 19th-century Sweden, urban reform, or child welfare.
• Book Clubs for Sleuths: Offer a “Junior Detectives” reading circle where participants read the first book and learn about historical detective work or translation.
• Spotlight Translation: Host a mini-program explaining how translators work to keep voice and tone. Use your kids who have multiple languages to show off their skills! Kids love “behind-the-scenes” content.

The Moonwind Mysteries is more than just another series; it’s an engaging and immersive journey into a unique time and place, all beautifully captured in a flawless translation. For librarians aiming to ignite curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and promote global awareness among young readers, this is definitely a passport worth stamping.

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Staci Fox is the middle school librarian at The American School in London. She has worked as a librarian in the San Francisco Bay area as well as in Bogotá, Colombia, prior to moving to London. Staci was also the co-founder of The International School Librarians in Europe (ISLE) Conference, and remains on the advisory board.