Now that their mom is president of the United States, she doesn’t have much time for fifth grader Cameron and her little sister, Tessa, but there are some perks: The Song Boys will be playing at the White House in support of literacy. The girls are exuberant about the upcoming concert, and Cameron is thrilled to be able to invite her classmates. However, the concert is jeopardized when, among other items, the John Philip Sousa baton used by the Marine Corps Band goes missing. Their thieving, too-big dog, Hooligan, is the prime suspect, and Nate, their sullen cousin, is also behaving suspiciously. After sleuthing around, the sisters solve the mystery, stave off an international incident and save the concert. The snappy narrative weaves in facts on the layout of the White House and how it is run. Great for a parent or teacher looking for a light mystery that portrays two intelligent female protagonists in an unusual setting. When it comes to family and friends, apparently, things are pretty much the same everywhere. (afterword, music and lyrics) (Mystery. 7-11)
