The Central Park Irregulars

The Central Park Irregulars by Paul Cicchini

2026 WINNER of the Independent Press Award 2026 WINNER of the Gertrude Warner Award for Best MG Mystery

Harper Jensen and her precocious little brother Bohdi have an idyllic childhood helping their dad on their family’s apple and dairy farm in the country while their mom studies Archaeology at the university. But when their mom takes a new job as a curator in charge of a new exhibit at the Archaeology museum in Manhattan, the kids are uprooted and their dad is left behind. Now, Harper’s view from their new apartment overlooking Central Park is nothing like the farm she left in Devon. Instead of cows and horses, she sees dozens of yellow cabs.

Missing the rolling hills and meadows of the farm, not to mention her dad, Harper’s mom introduces her to Central Park, the biggest backyard in the world with so much to discover. And Harper doesn’t lose time, making friends on her very first day of exploring. It’s not long before Harper, Addy, Eli, Gabriel, and Zara, make an alarming discovery that sets into motion an investigation that links some of their parents and puts a bullseye on Harper’s mom when a priceless artifact is stolen.

By following clues among the famous landmarks of Central Park, while avoiding encounters with the park bully, can the newly dubbed Central Park Irregulars solve the mystery in time to save Harper’s mom, before it’s too late?