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THE CASE OF THE TIME-CAPSULE BANDIT by Octavia Spencer

THE CASE OF THE TIME-CAPSULE BANDIT

From the Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective series, volume 1

by Octavia Spencer ; illustrated by Vivienne To

Pub Date: Oct. 15th, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-7681-3
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan meet Nancy Drew. 

In this first novel by Oscar-winning actress Spencer, Randi Rhodes thrives on solving the mysteries that unfold in her busy Brooklyn neighborhood. Her father, Herb Rhodes, author of the best-selling Glenn Street detective novels, spent Randi’s childhood on book tours but stopped writing after his wife’s recent death from cancer. Ready for a change, Herb moves the family to the small town of Deer Creek, Tenn., where they always spend summer vacations. Shortly after their arrival, in the midst of the Founders’ Day Festival, someone steals the Deer Creek time capsule, which might hold the town’s treasure. Randi, a black belt in karate, teams up with hearing-impaired, asthmatic Dario “D.C.” Cruz and lithe African-American Pudge Taylor from Boston to crack the case of the missing time capsule. Replete with crooked politicians, a spooky house and a ghost, a stormy night, caves with bandits and bats, and several well-placed martial arts kicks, this novel will keep young readers guessing. Despite the difficulty of keeping track of the minor characters, readers will appreciate Randi’s determination to make a difference. A series of appendices includes ninja tips and recipes.

A quick read about a girl sleuth whose fiery determination will leave readers wanting Book 2.

(Mystery. 8-12)