49. The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (Amulet Books, 2005)

BOOK: FANTASY, MYSTERY (ages 8-12)

Brief Description: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne have had it with foster homes and the orphanage. When a mysterious grandmotherly-type claims to be part of their family, the girls are quickly delivered to her home. Sabrina is less than convinced that this woman is their relative, but younger Daphne is immediately enchanted, in spite of the strange rules set forth in the house. When grandmother Relda Grimm reveals that they are part of the Grimm family, and that the Brothers Grimm were the first fairy tale detectives who set down the true stories of the "Everafters," Sabrina doesn't buy it, but when grandmother and her friend Canis are taken by a giant, the girls must consider whether they will rescue them, and if, indeed, they are really related and believe the stories that they have been told.

Awards: Border's Original Voice Award, 2005

Personal Opinion: This was a fun book for middle readers. Full of suspense and familiar fairy tale characters in various disguises, kids will delight in the story of Relda Grimm and her two grandchildren. Buckley does a clever job weaving various fairy tale characters into the story, and even throws in Puck from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as well as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. This stew of fairy tale characters will create a memorable reading experience for younger readers.

Curriculum/Programming: After reading this book, kids could be instructed to research a few fairy tales, become familiar with the characters, and write their own short story disguising the characters in a new story of their own creation.

25. The Westing Game, Narrated by Jeff Woodman (Recorded Books, 1998)

AUDIO BOOK: MYSTERY (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: Ellen Raskin has woven an intricately plotted mystery with a cast of characters that won't soon be forgotten. An excellent narration by Jeff Woodman enhances the story significantly. A motley cast has been invited to live in Sunset Towers; the will of wealthy Sam Westing is read naming them all heirs, and each receives $10,000 with the promise of over two million if a puzzle is solved. As the characters work in pairs to solve the clues they receive, much is revealed of their characters and "who did it" is surprisingly elusive. Readers will be delighted by the satisfying ending.

Awards: Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence, 1978; Newbery Medal, 1979

Personal Opinion: This conundrum of a book was one of the most exciting reads of the 50 for this assignment. I thought Raskin's characters were particularly well drawn, the plot steady, increasing in suspense, and even the setting beautifully conveyed. I was completely fooled by the mystery and didn't expect the ending, but hoped for one of the characters to be the victor, and I was not disappointed. I kept expecting, as the judge expressed, a very harsh ending like the one in Ten Little Indians by Christie, but was most pleasantly surprised and satisfied by Raskin's clever wrap up to this story.

Jeff Woodman's audio was superb; perhaps the best narration I've heard to date (and I listen to MANY books on audio). His accents, inflections, and voices, brought the characters to vivid life. I found myself frustrated as I wanted to read faster than the audio due to the intrigue, but went right back to the narration because of Woodman's depiction of the characters I had grown to love. Story, characters, setting, narration - all combine to make The Westing Game absolutely PERFECT!

Curriculum/Programming: There are many applications possible with this book and narration, but I would use the book to explore the genre of mystery with my students. In fact, I'd use it with my 8th grade class before I began reading Christie or Doyle as it is the perfect introduction, especially to Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie.

20. The Clock Without a Face by Scott Teplin, Mac Barnett & Eli Horowitz (McSweeney's, 2010)

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.