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Finding Mighty
Along the train lines north of New York City, twelve-year-old neighbors Myla and Peter search for the link between Myla’s necklace and the disappearance of Peter’s brother, Randall. Thrown into a world of parkour, graffiti, and diamond-smuggling, Myla and Peter encounter a band of thugs who are after the same thing as Randall. Can Myla and Peter find Randall before it’s too late, and their shared family secrets threaten to destroy them all? Drawing on urban art forms and local history, Finding Mighty is a mystery that explores the nature of art and the unbreakable bonds of family.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2017
48 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Sheela Chari
10 books114 followersI'm the author of VANISHED (Disney Hyperion) and FINDING MIGHTY (Abrams) and THE UNEXPLAINABLE DISAPPEARANCE OF MAFS PATEL series (Walker US), based on the award-winning hit podcast. My upcoming tween novel, KARTHIK DELIVERS (Abrams), will be available spring 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 12, 2020
There are so many things I loved about this book. So here's the list!
1. The diverse characters. This story built on a variety of diverse characters. Tag artists, an Indian family, a mixed-race single mother with two boys. I could keep going! What's better is that these characters were built not just added to element. Their backgrounds and elements of their cultures were woven throughout the story making these characters very dimensional and fascinating.
2. The adventurous storyline. I love a YA novel with adventure and mystery and this book does it! It builds in ways I didn't anticipate and ended in a way I never would have expected either. While it's definitely on the more dramatic side (i.e. a teen searching for diamonds his father hid before he died) it's a fun adventure that the reader gets to take along with the characters.
3. There were true historical/geographical elements built into the story! The author took time to research the history around Dobbs Ferry and the aqueducts in the area. This was a great way to build a real landscape around the story and add interesting historical facts for young readers.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!!
1. The diverse characters. This story built on a variety of diverse characters. Tag artists, an Indian family, a mixed-race single mother with two boys. I could keep going! What's better is that these characters were built not just added to element. Their backgrounds and elements of their cultures were woven throughout the story making these characters very dimensional and fascinating.
2. The adventurous storyline. I love a YA novel with adventure and mystery and this book does it! It builds in ways I didn't anticipate and ended in a way I never would have expected either. While it's definitely on the more dramatic side (i.e. a teen searching for diamonds his father hid before he died) it's a fun adventure that the reader gets to take along with the characters.
3. There were true historical/geographical elements built into the story! The author took time to research the history around Dobbs Ferry and the aqueducts in the area. This was a great way to build a real landscape around the story and add interesting historical facts for young readers.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!!
April 15, 2017
This book is SO SO SO good!
I absolutely loved Sheela Chari's first MG mystery, Vanished, but this is even a step up from that in complexity and depth: an utterly thrilling MG suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout (there was one point when I had to set it down for a moment and take a breath because I was feeling REALLY tense with nerves for the characters!) that also has utterly wonderful, deep characterization and vivid, compelling voices for both of the alternating PoV characters, Myla and Peter. There's so much deep, lovely stuff in here about family and friendship - and it's also just incredibly exciting and full of Parkour and danger and awesomeness!
I read an e-ARC of this but will definitely be buying a copy for my kids to read when they're old enough. DEFINITELY worth pre-ordering this one, guys - and if you haven't read Vanished yet, now would be a great moment! :)
I absolutely loved Sheela Chari's first MG mystery, Vanished, but this is even a step up from that in complexity and depth: an utterly thrilling MG suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout (there was one point when I had to set it down for a moment and take a breath because I was feeling REALLY tense with nerves for the characters!) that also has utterly wonderful, deep characterization and vivid, compelling voices for both of the alternating PoV characters, Myla and Peter. There's so much deep, lovely stuff in here about family and friendship - and it's also just incredibly exciting and full of Parkour and danger and awesomeness!
I read an e-ARC of this but will definitely be buying a copy for my kids to read when they're old enough. DEFINITELY worth pre-ordering this one, guys - and if you haven't read Vanished yet, now would be a great moment! :)
July 24, 2017
This book was not for me. I thought the plot sounded interesting, but it smoldered and winked out. Two new kids in Dobbs Ferry are neighbors: one from a loving Indian family, and one running from the 'hood, missing his brother. With graffiti and a search for smuggled diamonds in the background and a gang seeking retribution, the plotlines were either contrived, convoluted or both. While I got the connection between the two kids, which seemed sensible, the rest of the relationships in the book were weird, strained, or preposterous. My advice is to skip this one.
September 2, 2018
The premise of a decades-long mystery and coded graffiti messages was interesting at first, but parts were confusing and hard to follow, while other parts just didn’t feel compelling. I really liked the characters of Myla and Peter, but the storytelling lost me somewhere along the way. Ages 10 and up.
June 22, 2025
Part of my A-Z reading challenge and on my physical TBR. I wasn’t a huge fan of this and felt like it was hard to get into
December 24, 2016
New York sixth grader and Indian American Myla (no one can pronounce her actual name) dreams of being noticed…she’s short, and doesn’t see anything remarkable in herself. Mixed-race Peter just wants to hang out with his older brother Randall since their mother is busy (when she’s not nervous about something) and their father has been dead for years. Myla buys a necklace with an Om (Sanskrit letter) on it hoping it will draw attention, and a creepy guy tries to get it back from her. Peter’s brother vanishes…and then their mother insists they move AGAIN. Parallel mysteries narrated by the two main characters intersect as the two meet and (slowly) learn to trust each other.
What does the Om necklace have to do with the graffiti Om tags appearing around New York & suburbs? How does that tie in to Randall’s disappearance? And does any of this have anything to do with Peter’s father’s death or the diamonds his grandmother is reported to have helped to steal? Sheela Chari’s second mystery is as intriguing as her Edgar-award nominated first mystery Vanished. Very realistic, intelligent, urban middle-classed tween characters people (and solve) this page-turning mystery. Well worth every young mystery reader’s time.
What does the Om necklace have to do with the graffiti Om tags appearing around New York & suburbs? How does that tie in to Randall’s disappearance? And does any of this have anything to do with Peter’s father’s death or the diamonds his grandmother is reported to have helped to steal? Sheela Chari’s second mystery is as intriguing as her Edgar-award nominated first mystery Vanished. Very realistic, intelligent, urban middle-classed tween characters people (and solve) this page-turning mystery. Well worth every young mystery reader’s time.
October 4, 2019
3 1/2. A really solid kids mystery. Too much parkour for me, and a few things that felt really random, but I mostly really liked it.
February 17, 2025
This is a very well written YA mystery. Aside from some minor loose ends that aren't resolved at the end, it is a great vehicle for young readers to be introduced to the genre. The mystery itself is a good one (stolen hidden jewels), lots of red herrings, and the "investigation" is driven by 2 protagonists who are well drawn. Considering using this for summer mystery book group title.
July 25, 2017
Good book
Hope there's a second one
nice mystery book
Hope there's a second one
nice mystery book
October 17, 2025
This book was good,It was entertaining and I like reading it. The story follows Peter and Myla two 12 year old neighbors who team up to solve the mystery of Peters older brother going missing. The mood was like a thrill of trying to solve the mystery of peters brother while also being about personal feelings.thought out the story there was a bunch a repetitive things if they were talking of trying to solve a mystery.This book shows how to work together to find out things about the disappearance of Peters brother. The story was entertaining throughout the story and kept me focused on the story which was good.
March 13, 2018
The plot and very relate able setting made this a good book. It has action, mystery, and the characters are developed nicely, but the element of suspense is missing and it is not very hooking. It is also written in a very basic way so if you are looking for a not very dense mystery this would be good, but people looking for a sophisticated and hooking mystery might want to consider choosing another book.
May 13, 2017
Missing diamonds, graffiti, parkour & middle schoolers caught in the middle of it all. What more could you want?
May 27, 2018
No me gusta
March 19, 2017
A great mystery for middle grade readers featuring interesting, flawed, and lovable diverse characters!
February 7, 2017
I REALLY loved this book!! I'm so excited for it to be released and urge readers of every age to fall in love with these characters and story.
December 23, 2017
Interesting, unique novel. Middle grade readers who like action and mystery will enjoy it!
July 30, 2019
Oh my gosh, this wasn't what I thought it would be. I thought it would be an urban fiction novel watered down for middle graders. The description seemed to over-emphasize graffiti, parkour, crime and intrigue. I don't know why I didn't catch on at first, or, even READ the words on the cover. I was delightfully surprised that it is a mystery! Bonus! I love mysteries!
Myla lives In Dobb's Ferry, north of New York City. Her neighborhood feels largely suburban; she mentions being the only brown girl in her class at school (her family is of Indian descent). Peter, on the other hand, lives with his brother and single mom in a much more urban area. That is, until Peter's brother, a graffiti artist, disappears. Randall's disappearance seems to have something to do with their father, who had died in an accident several years before. When Randall disappears, their mom suddenly packs up Peter and moves to Dobb's Ferry, next door to Myla. Peter is sure Randall will never find them, and makes it his mission to find him. The two end up being friends and set about trying to find Randall.
A smattering of other personalities weave in and out of the narrative, including members of Myla's and Peter's families, the annoyingly nosy 16-year-old who thinks of herself as an investigative reporter, Randall's former tagging buddies, and a couple of shady characters, all of whom have their own agendas.
I will enjoy book-talking this one, especially to mystery fans.
Myla lives In Dobb's Ferry, north of New York City. Her neighborhood feels largely suburban; she mentions being the only brown girl in her class at school (her family is of Indian descent). Peter, on the other hand, lives with his brother and single mom in a much more urban area. That is, until Peter's brother, a graffiti artist, disappears. Randall's disappearance seems to have something to do with their father, who had died in an accident several years before. When Randall disappears, their mom suddenly packs up Peter and moves to Dobb's Ferry, next door to Myla. Peter is sure Randall will never find them, and makes it his mission to find him. The two end up being friends and set about trying to find Randall.
A smattering of other personalities weave in and out of the narrative, including members of Myla's and Peter's families, the annoyingly nosy 16-year-old who thinks of herself as an investigative reporter, Randall's former tagging buddies, and a couple of shady characters, all of whom have their own agendas.
I will enjoy book-talking this one, especially to mystery fans.
October 2, 2017
What starts at a misunderstanding at school, ends up bringing twelve-year-olds Myla and Peter together to solve the disappearance of Peter's brother, Randall and the connection it has to Myla's missing necklace.
As Myla and Peter follow the graffiti trail left behind by Randall, they discover family secrets that involve stolen diamonds, mysterious deaths, and a dangerous gang who will stop at nothing to find Randall and the hidden diamonds.
Story alternates between first person which gives greater insight to Myla, Peter and Randall thoughts and actions. The backdrop of New York and Dobb's Ferry with the emphasis on graffiti art will strike a cord to inner city youth. While the plot feels contrived at times, the action takes has the reader anxiously running with the characters through darkened streets, hoping they can dodge not only shady gang members but also cops. A solid mystery for the middle school reader.
Original review as it appears on my blog, Boys To Books
As Myla and Peter follow the graffiti trail left behind by Randall, they discover family secrets that involve stolen diamonds, mysterious deaths, and a dangerous gang who will stop at nothing to find Randall and the hidden diamonds.
Story alternates between first person which gives greater insight to Myla, Peter and Randall thoughts and actions. The backdrop of New York and Dobb's Ferry with the emphasis on graffiti art will strike a cord to inner city youth. While the plot feels contrived at times, the action takes has the reader anxiously running with the characters through darkened streets, hoping they can dodge not only shady gang members but also cops. A solid mystery for the middle school reader.
Original review as it appears on my blog, Boys To Books
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March 24, 2025FINDING MIGHTY , SHEELA CHARI
Finding Mighty by Sheila Chari is a heartwarming story of a girl named Viji. She is reeling from the loss of her brother and is trying to understand herself amidst all the change that is occurring in her life. As she comes to terms with her feelings, Viji also discovers the importance of friendship and begins finding her own strength. It's a coming-of-age tale, dealing with intense emotions and learning to persevere even when the going gets tough.
I didn't like the book , in my opinion it is a book that requires a lot of knowledge of English and is very confusing. It changes the subject every time and it talks about some things that are not interesting.
I think that if you have a great knowledge of english and like a story of overcoming difficulties is a book really good, but if you don't understand english so much , and like story more simple, I don’t recommend this book.
Finding Mighty by Sheila Chari is a heartwarming story of a girl named Viji. She is reeling from the loss of her brother and is trying to understand herself amidst all the change that is occurring in her life. As she comes to terms with her feelings, Viji also discovers the importance of friendship and begins finding her own strength. It's a coming-of-age tale, dealing with intense emotions and learning to persevere even when the going gets tough.
I didn't like the book , in my opinion it is a book that requires a lot of knowledge of English and is very confusing. It changes the subject every time and it talks about some things that are not interesting.
I think that if you have a great knowledge of english and like a story of overcoming difficulties is a book really good, but if you don't understand english so much , and like story more simple, I don’t recommend this book.
August 29, 2018
A totally unique, modern mystery set in the suburbs of New York City with two unlikely “detectives” connected in mysterious ways.
Myla and Peter don't quite fit into their respective families. Both feel a bit uncomfortable in their own skin and are trying to live up to the examples of their siblings.
When their paths reconnect after many years, at first their friendship seems doomed. But they come together to try to solve the mystery of a necklace that brings nothing but danger and more trouble. The story is full of intrigue, a set of stolen diamonds, the fishy death of a beloved father, parkour, graffiti, a snoopy “journalist”, family intrigue, and characters you can’t trust because everyone has ulterior motives. Ultimately our unlikely heroes find diamonds within themselves.
Myla and Peter don't quite fit into their respective families. Both feel a bit uncomfortable in their own skin and are trying to live up to the examples of their siblings.
When their paths reconnect after many years, at first their friendship seems doomed. But they come together to try to solve the mystery of a necklace that brings nothing but danger and more trouble. The story is full of intrigue, a set of stolen diamonds, the fishy death of a beloved father, parkour, graffiti, a snoopy “journalist”, family intrigue, and characters you can’t trust because everyone has ulterior motives. Ultimately our unlikely heroes find diamonds within themselves.
July 29, 2019
It all starts when Myla buys an "Om" necklace and continues when Peter and his mom move in next door. Peter's brother Randall ("Mighty") recently left his family during a night of "tagging" in the city. Myla and Peter become friends and realize they can work together to find Mighty and solve Peter's family's mystery - hopefully before the Fencers get to them or solve the mystery first.
Told in alternating narrators (Myla, Peter, and later Randall), this story is a well written mystery that ties in with some edgy themes like graffiti artists. Readers will try to solve the mystery at the same time Myla and Peter are, sometimes a reader's idea will be right and others something will happen that you'll least expect. A good fit for middle school readers.
Told in alternating narrators (Myla, Peter, and later Randall), this story is a well written mystery that ties in with some edgy themes like graffiti artists. Readers will try to solve the mystery at the same time Myla and Peter are, sometimes a reader's idea will be right and others something will happen that you'll least expect. A good fit for middle school readers.
March 23, 2020
Peter’s older brother Randall disappears and Peter is determined to find him. He knows that Randall’s disappearance is related to some distinctive graffiti tags that are showing up in local subway stations. Myla recognizes those tags are connected to a symbol on her necklace. Together, Myla and Peter are drawn into the mystery of the symbol and find themselves facing more danger than they expected.
Alternating between Peter and Myla’s perspective, Finding Mighty is a mystery filled with plenty of action. It also includes parkour, graffiti, and local New York history. It is a fun read for middle school lovers of mystery and adventure. Its diverse cast of characters will resonate with a variety of readers.
Recommended ages--11-14 years old
Alternating between Peter and Myla’s perspective, Finding Mighty is a mystery filled with plenty of action. It also includes parkour, graffiti, and local New York history. It is a fun read for middle school lovers of mystery and adventure. Its diverse cast of characters will resonate with a variety of readers.
Recommended ages--11-14 years old
May 29, 2020
Although I only got through half the book, I got to say that was one hell of a book. The fact that you have these kids that start of hating each other but are connected by their chains and their hobby which is basically graffiti. I truly love this story and its character. I like how relatable their lives can be to the reader. We have one kid who only has one parent in their life and the other who's family is strict and is annoyed by their younger siblings. We also have a large sum of money that a whole bunch of bad people are looking for and two kids who end up in the middle of everything. As well as a missing brother who mysteriously leaves and a word that means so much to everyone. This book really does a great job of grabbing your attention and never letting go.
November 23, 2019
My recent goal in reading has been to both read books by diverse authors and about diverse. Characters as well as read middle grade books I can recommend to my students. This book checked both boxes and was a great mystery as well!
The story mostly revolves around two young people: Peter and Myla. Neither feels like they fit in and both struggle against their own demons. The story is told in varying viewpoints and gives up its secrets slowly. That is because the characters have work to do, and the slow character reveal makes each character more enjoyable.
The mystery itself is filled with fun and false leads, but satisfies.
I can’t wait to describe this book to my kids at school.
The story mostly revolves around two young people: Peter and Myla. Neither feels like they fit in and both struggle against their own demons. The story is told in varying viewpoints and gives up its secrets slowly. That is because the characters have work to do, and the slow character reveal makes each character more enjoyable.
The mystery itself is filled with fun and false leads, but satisfies.
I can’t wait to describe this book to my kids at school.
March 28, 2026
Perfect addition to our Mystery Unit at school. The mystery itself involves a few different unknowns as the narrative unfolds: Where did one of the characters disappear to? What do the strange necklaces mean? And finally, where are the hidden diamonds? The detective duo of middle schoolers are well- developed and compelling characters, and the plot doesn't lack for clues and red herrings along the way. The setting is also powerfully drawn and plays an integral role in the story. Not only do I think kids will enjoy this, but reading it made me want to revisit my own connections to New York City.
December 31, 2017
This was one of the best books I have read in a while, It starts slow but it gradually builds up and gains plot points. It goes from a story about one kid who finds a mysterious necklace, and a kid who's trying to find his brother, to a story about two kids trying to find some diamonds, before a gang finds them. This book was worth reading and it will keep you on the edge of your seats till the end.
February 18, 2018
Another book I won through Firstreads here on Goodreads. I enjoyed the story, though I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. It's a good mystery story for 8-10 year olds. It features Myla, an Indian American girl, and Petey and Randall, mixed raced brothers. Readers get to explore graffiti, diamonds, and Parkour while reading about these children's adventures. I'm getting a copy for my library.
September 4, 2019
Thoroughly, I enjoy reading this book. Thriller/mystery’s what I described the plot of this novel.
The novel focus family and friendship in difficult time while thief, jealousy, accused and even murder.
Characters such Myla, Randall and Peter , each from point of view, provide the narration. Location seem real. (Yes I did google map Dobby Ferry). Learning something new while reading the book. Some parts of the story can funny.
This is YA novel.
The novel focus family and friendship in difficult time while thief, jealousy, accused and even murder.
Characters such Myla, Randall and Peter , each from point of view, provide the narration. Location seem real. (Yes I did google map Dobby Ferry). Learning something new while reading the book. Some parts of the story can funny.
This is YA novel.
March 9, 2020
I really liked this story because it's main character, Peter, is looking for his brother who ran away to look for diamonds. Peter misses his brother, but becomes angry that his brother left. His brother Randall (dubbed "Mighty") is looking for the diamonds, and also spraying the tag "Om" around, because it was also his father's tag. And that's what the book is about: not finding the diamonds, but finding friendship and his brother, Mighty (Randall)
January 6, 2022
Graffiti art, parkour, a diamond heist - there's a lot to attract middle grades readers here! I loved that the story included characters with Indian backgrounds, as my Indian students don't often see themselves in the pages (or on the covers) of children's literature. I found the diamond heist mystery to be the weakest aspect of the story, but I still quite enjoyed the book and will recommend it to my students.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews