Thursday, June 9, 2011

Get a Clue

I receive a lot of mysteries to review. So I'm sure I will post more throughout the summer, but this next one is the last of my mystery binge. I need to read something else.

“Jack Gets a Clue: The Case of the Beagle Burglar”

By Nancy Krulik
For Ages 5 – 10
If Dr. Doolittle were a young boy and a detective, he might be in stories similar to "Jack Gets a Clue." This simple mystery series is great for emerging readers. Available July 1. Rated 3.5 (mystery, talking animals, humor)
Young Jack has a pretty cool secret. After squirrels pelted him with acorns, Jack discovered he could speak with animals. So when his friend Leo’s homework goes missing and Jack’s dog Scout gets blamed, Jack knows he has to prove his dog’s innocence. He teams up with Elizabeth, who enjoys solving mysteries, to follow the clues to the homework stealing culprit.

This is a short chapter book series for young readers, similar to “Nancy Drew and the Clew Crew” or Encyclopedia Brown.” It’s fun and fast-paced with just enough mystery to keep young readers interested. If you like Krulik’s series, “Katie Kazoo Switcheroo,” or you are just a budding detective, “Jack Gets a Clue” is for you.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

More Summer Mysteries

I'm still on my mystery kick. I've got two more that will make for good summer reading. The first one has a historical bent to it. Enjoy.

“The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanna Snow Mystery”

By Angie Frazier
For Ages 5 – 10
Think Nancy Drew set in 1905 in Loch Harbor, New Brunswick. From a dark and stormy night to a Sherlock Holmes-style detective, this fast-paced mystery is perfect for young girls. Rated 3.75 (mystery, danger, history)

Suzanna is a young girl who has been trained by her parents, the managers of a luxury resort, to be well-mannered and proper. Of course, Suzanna would rather be a detective, like her uncle Bruce Snow. He is the Sherlock Holmes of Boston. One dark and stormy evening the daughter of a wealthy guest goes missing and Suzanna thinks she may have seen it happen. Though no one believes her, Suzanna sets out to find the truth. She is very excited when her uncle is called, but quickly finds disappointment upon meeting him and his assistant for the first time. They are very sexist. Nevertheless Suzanna sets out to follow the clues and make sure justice is served.

Although the story begins slowly the place and time are superbly set. Children will be surprised to see the amount of work kids as young as 11-years-old had to do at the turn of the century. When the mystery begins it is fast-paced and intriguing with twists and turns enough to keep readers guessing. Young female mystery buffs will eagerly await Suzanna’s next big mystery.