BOOK: MYSTERY (ages 9-12)
Brief Description: This unusually shaped over-sized board book is intended for kids in grades 4 - 6. In the first section, readers are introduced to the two detectives who will solve the case - Dodge, the detective, and Gus Twintig, his sidekick who acts as the narrator. We never actually see these two characters, and are only given a single portrait of the inhabitants of the Turnky Towers apartment building at 23 Glyph Street. What we do get is a cut away view of each floor of the apartment, and each drawing is wonderfully intricate and unique. The mystery? Mr. Turnkey has been robbed; a beautiful clock with emerald stones to mark the numbers have been stolen, and in fact, each resident has had something stolen as well. Beginning on the top floor, with the claim that the mystery would be solved by the time they reached the first floor, the detective team interviews the residents. It's up to the reader to observe the drawings carefully for clues. At the book's conclusion, readers are met with the further mystery of where to find the buried numbers from the clock.
Awards: None
Personal Opinion: I don't have the patience for this sort of book, but problem-solving kids will love the intricate drawings and clues left on each of the floors. I liked the unusual presentation, though - board book, interesting shape (but tricky for library shelves!!). I think I've had enough with the first one, though, and won't hurry to read the next release.
Curriculum/Programming: This is a quick read which would be great to pair with a longer mystery in a literature circle. A library program might be designed around the mystery with a discussion group checking out the images on a big screen and figuring out what each floor has to offer in the way of clues. A mystery reenactment night at the library would be fun to incorporate with this book as well.
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