When Lissa looks through a magnifying glass she found in the attic of her home, she discovers something wondrous: anything she points it at reveals facts and hidden messages. Those messages lead her to the family garden and the woods beyond, where the plants and soil are distressed. With the help of her friends—Wren, Luna, and Indigo—as well as through research in the local library, she has to solve the mystery and save the living things in her own backyard.

Lissa Loves Bugs by Tracy Blom is about a curious nine year old who is good at observing the world around her and investigating when something seems out of whack. She follows clues and suggestions to check out the dirt, ladybugs, lacewings, and more. Together, she and her friends come up with a plan that not only heals the land but also brings neighbors together. It’s empowering for her to know that she and her friends can make a difference if they present facts and offer solutions.

The end teases book two in the series, a space adventure that the magnifying glass points them to. With an easy-to-read format and dreamy illustrations by Cathy Morrison, Lissa Loves Bugs is sure to appeal to readers aged 7 to 10.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.