New Children’s Book ‘Operation Weird Universe’ Follows a Wheelchair-Using Girl’s Neighborhood Mystery

Balle Balle Radio™ Entertainment Desk

Lataine McQuaid has published "Operation Weird Universe," a middle-grade mystery centered on a young girl named Sam who investigates strange occurrences in her new neighborhood. The book is published through Christian Faith Publishing and is available now through major booksellers and online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple’s iTunes Store, and Google Play.

The story follows Sam, who uses a wheelchair, after she moves into a new house and becomes curious about a mysterious neighbor next door. According to the book’s description, Sam and her best friend set out to uncover the truth behind a series of unexplained events in their community, including a running mystery involving her disappearing jelly beans. The announcement describes the book as built around themes of resilience, friendship, and the instinct to keep asking questions when things don’t add up.

The author’s extensive background as a professional nanny informs her understanding of how young people navigate obstacles and unexpected situations. She spent part of her early life living on multiple continents, an experience she has said shaped her interest in storytelling grounded in adventure. She now lives in a small Texas town with a labradoodle and a tuxedo cat.

"I wrote this story to show young readers that being different isn’t a limitation, it’s an opportunity," McQuaid said in the announcement. "Sam’s journey reflects what I’ve learned from working with children my entire career: they possess remarkable resilience and imagination when given the chance to explore their world on their own terms."

Studio CarryOnHarry sees the choice to make Sam’s wheelchair incidental to the mystery, rather than the point of the story, as the more interesting storytelling decision here, and one worth watching for in how young readers respond.

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