MATILDA INVESTIGATES

by Mary Anderson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 1973

Despite her voracious curiosity and voluminous notebooks, it's hard to be impressed by Mattie's ambition to become New York's first female detective, if only because Harriet the Spy paved the way. Matilda's scatterbrained investigations do lead to the capture of a lonely, embittered old man who's trained his pet crow to steal shiny jewelry from neighboring hotel rooms, and' Matilda and her father are gratified by her success -- without expressing much compassion for the pathetic villain or wondering whether all her energy has been expended in a good cause. The real point here is the contrast between aggressive Mattie and her chubby younger brother, who's devoted to gourmet cooking and housekeeping; and Mattie's arguments in favor of Women's Lib (a term always on the tip of her tongue) will attract girls not already supersaturated by the message. Essentially a junior Nancy Drew with a raised consciousness.

Pub Date: March 21, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1973

Categories: FICTION