You can listen to episode 4 on iTunes or click this link to listen via Soundcloud: click on me
Like a lot of children of the eighties, I spent countless hours with my friends playing Clue (and quoting the movie - one plus one plus two plus one…). Sadly, my deduction skills weren't up to par because my accusations were almost always incorrect. No wonder my best friend, Claire, didn't mind playing with me; she almost always won.
Despite my utter lack of successful detective work, I have always been intrigued by a good mystery, whether it be in a book, a movie, or real life. I've read The Westing Game at least a half a dozen times; I devoured all of John Bellairs’ books when I was in elementary school; and I couldn't get enough of the Liza, Bill & Jed mysteries by Peggy Parish when I was in 4th grade. I think this love of a good mystery runs in our family because my 9 month old is already a keen observer and my ten-year old niece is obsessed with sleuthing. She takes her interest in mysteries to a whole other level, though. For her birthday a few years ago her wish list consisted of rope, a wheelbarrow, utility tape, dirt - you know, items a detective might need when they're on a case. She repeatedly assured us that these things were not part of a scheme to dispose of her younger sister. My niece is actually the one who suggested the theme of today’s podcast: girl detectives.
Despite my utter lack of successful detective work, I have always been intrigued by a good mystery, whether it be in a book, a movie, or real life. I've read The Westing Game at least a half a dozen times; I devoured all of John Bellairs’ books when I was in elementary school; and I couldn't get enough of the Liza, Bill & Jed mysteries by Peggy Parish when I was in 4th grade. I think this love of a good mystery runs in our family because my 9 month old is already a keen observer and my ten-year old niece is obsessed with sleuthing. She takes her interest in mysteries to a whole other level, though. For her birthday a few years ago her wish list consisted of rope, a wheelbarrow, utility tape, dirt - you know, items a detective might need when they're on a case. She repeatedly assured us that these things were not part of a scheme to dispose of her younger sister. My niece is actually the one who suggested the theme of today’s podcast: girl detectives.
Welcome to episode 4 of the Happy Reading podcast, where I recommend and read from a handful of books that all fit a specific theme. The titles are usually middle grade fiction, but occasionally I throw in a picture book or YA title to keep y’all on your toes. I'm Sarah Threlkeld, an elementary school librarian, former middle school reading teacher, and one of the least mysterious people you will ever meet. Today you’ll hear about four entertaining middle grade books that star spunky, intelligent girl gumshoes. So, don your deerstalker and track down your magnifying glass because we’re on the case.
British author Holly Webb has written over eighty books for kids, including The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series. At a mere 165 pages and with fairly large font, the first book in the series, The Case of the Stolen Sixpence, skews towards the younger end of the middle grade spectrum, but should still appeal to 5th and 6th graders who enjoy chapter books with graphic elements.
Twelve-year old Maisie lives in Victorian London in a boardinghouse run by her grandmother and she has absolutely no interest in learning how to shop, cook for the tenants, or properly clean the rented rooms. All things that are expected of her as a girl. She would much rather skulk about her neighborhood, eavesdropping on conversations and keeping an eye out for unusual happenings. Maisie is desperate to solve a case, just like her idol, detective Gilbert Carrington, a Sherlock Holmes-type character who is well-known throughout the city. Then, one day while walking home from the fish market, Maisie notices a dripping wet sack sitting on a rubbish pile and decides to investigate. Inside is a terrified puppy who immediately takes a shine to Maisie and claims her as his owner. The dog, who Maisie names Eddie, gets into all kinds of trouble, which leads to another mystery for the curious protagonist to solve, this time involving a fired errand boy accused of stealing money from the butcher shop.
The Case of the Stolen Sixpence is a fast-paced and entertaining story full of quirky characters and set in a time period that will most likely intrigue younger readers. Here’s an excerpt from chapter one where Maisie decides to fine tune her detective skills by following an old lady through the streets of London.
excerpt - pages 6-8
The Enola Holmes series by Nancy Springer is like Maisie Hitchins’s older sister. The first book in the series, The Case of the Missing Marquess, also takes place in Victorian London and has a stubbornly independent female protagonist, but challenging vocabulary and complex issues make this a more appealing title for older middle grade readers. Enola is the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes and just as curious, observant, and skilled at deduction as her brother. Enola’s mother has disappeared and, as a result, her other brother, Mycroft, is now Enola’s guardian and plans on sending her to boarding school. What Mycroft doesn't seem to understand is Enola has no interest in becoming a proper lady of society. Instead, she concocts a plan to travel to London, set up shop as a detective, and track down her mother. While there, Enola comes across some extremely unsavory characters, finds herself in life-threatening situations, and gets involved in a kidnapping case, all while trying to stay hidden from her brothers. Nancy Springer’s writing is deliciously descriptive and readers will feel as if they have been transported to the gritty, dangerous heart of Victorian London. Here is an excerpt from chapter seven; Enola has left her home and is plotting out her life in the city.
excerpt - pages 96-97
As if being an Oscar winning actress isn't enough, Octavia Spencer, star of The Help and Hidden Figures, also writes middle grade fiction. I started reading The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit, the first book in the Randi Rhodes: Ninja Detective series, while on the treadmill at the gym, and I enjoyed it so much that I actually walked for longer than I intended, which almost never happens. Spencer had me hooked after chapter one, when she directs the reader to flip to the appendix in the back of the book to learn a ninja detective skill. This is the kind of thing my niece lives for.
Randi and her father, author of a successful detective series, live in Brooklyn, but are moving to Deer Creek, a small town in Tennessee. Randi is less than thrilled about the move and is convinced she’ll be bored out of her mind in her new town. A few days after she and her dad arrive in Deer Creek, though, the unthinkable happens. The town’s 200-year old time capsule that was supposed to be opened by the President of the United States for the Founder’s Day Festival is stolen in broad daylight with the entire town present! Who in the world would be cunning enough to pull off such a heist? What could possibly be in the time capsule that would make it worth stealing? Randi and her new friend DC are on the case, even if it means their lives are in danger. Detectives in training will love this fast-paced, expertly layered mystery and will immediately reach for the second book in the series. Here’s an early scene where readers get a sense of Randi’s excellent deductive skills.
excerpt - pages 11-12
Most people would agree that British folks have a different comic sensibility than Americans and thank goodness they do because otherwise the world would be denied R.A. Spratt’s brilliantly funny Friday Barnes series.
Poor Friday, she was an unexpected child and her parents, both of whom are devoted scientists, really don't have the time or inclination to raise their youngest daughter properly. Luckily, Friday is a genius who doesn't mind spending time alone, reading books, conducting experiments, and putting together the most nondescript, unflattering outfits possible so she'll go unnoticed and left to her own devices.
In the first few chapters of Friday Barnes: Girl Detective, Friday helps her Uncle Bernie, who happens to be a detective prone to wearing funny hats, figure out who stole a diamond worth five million dollars from a safety deposit box. As a reward for her excellent detective work Friday is given fifty thousand dollars. Now, a typical eleven year old would splurge and use some of that money on video games, new clothes, a trip to Disneyland, a fancy bike - you get the picture. Friday, however, is anything but typical. She decides to use the reward money to pay for tuition at a snooty private school, both to get an excellent education and to get away from her clueless parents. It turns out Friday will also get a chance to flex her superior deductive reasoning skills at her new school because the place is rife with crime; a clock has disappeared from the headmaster’s office, homework has gone missing, and a yeti is terrorizing the staff and students. Oh, and don't forget the mystery of the handsome Ian Wainscott who seems determined to make Friday’s life miserable. The characters in this book are over the top and the situations are beyond silly, but somehow Spratt manages to convince the reader that Friday’s world is completely normal. If you're a fan of British humor you’ll fall in love with Friday in the first few pages and zip through the entire series, perhaps only taking a break to use the loo or fix some tea and biscuits. Here’s an excerpt from the first time Friday meets her roommate Melanie. Prepare to guffaw at the absurdity.
excerpt - pages 79-81
Well, there you have it listeners, all the evidence you need to crack the case of which book you'll read next. Links to all the books I mention in each episode can be found at the Happy Reading website. Of course, there are many more middle grade titles out there starring intelligent, independent, spunky girl detectives, and I encourage you to track them down. If you're looking for a picture book that fits today’s theme, I'd recommend How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln, a biography about the first woman hired by the famed Pinkerton Detective Agency all the way back in 1856. She was able to gather intel that the men in the agency couldn't because no one suspected a woman of infiltrating high society under false pretenses. If you know of other great middle grade books that focus on lady sleuths, I'd love to know about them! You can find me on Twitter at @HappyRdng, email me at happyrdng@gmail.com, or leave a message on my blog at happyrdng.blogspot.com. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to listen to this podcast. I'm having a lot of fun coming up with different themes for the episodes and I love discovering new books! A huge thank you to Lewis, my incredibly supportive husband, who makes it possible for me to write and record each episode by keeping our daughter entertained whenever I have a brainstorm and need to hunker down with my iPad. It's certainly no mystery why I married him. Until next time, dear listeners, keep those magnifying glasses at the ready and happy reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment