Childhood is a constant state of trying to unravel the mysteries of the world, while being thwarted at every turn. Beth Lincoln’s THE SWIFTS: A Dictionary of Scoundrels (Dutton, 352 pp., $17.99, ages 8 to 12), illustrated by Claire Powell, is deliciously, quirkily Gothic, like “Gormenghast” for children. Martha Brockenbrough’s TO CATCH A THIEF (Scholastic, 256 pp., $17.99, ages 8 to 12) is a slice of small-town coziness. And Johan Rundberg’s THE NIGHT RAVEN: The Moonwind Mysteries, Book 1 (Amazon Crossing Kids, 192 pp., $17.99, ages 10 and up), translated by A.A. Prime, is chilly Nordic noir. But they all share the same worldview: that children can and should act out, that what they care about matters.

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Persons: you’re, Daisy Wells, Hazel Wong, sleuths, Beth Lincoln’s, Dutton, Claire Powell, ”, Martha Brockenbrough’s, Johan Rundberg’s, A.A Organizations: Scoundrels