THE TWIN STARS AND THE SOCCER SUPERSTAR

In Rudolph’s middle-grade novel, an aspiring crime-solver searches for the missing soccer player she idolizes.

The news of Katey Korey’s inexplicable disappearance shocks 12-year-old Texan Cassaty Greene. She’s “obsessed” with the local high school junior, who’s a star on the soccer field. Cassaty doesn’t believe the rumor that Katey has run off to Dallas, where she once lived, since the state playoffs are in less than a week. So, she vows to find her (Cassaty hopes one day to be a detective—or possibly a district attorney, like her father). She quickly teams up with a few fellow sixth graders, including her best friend, Maisy Cooke. They use their classmate connections to dig up information; Simran Patel’s older sister is Katey’s friend, and Cisco Garcia is pals with Katey’s younger brother. Meanwhile, at home, Cassaty’s mom endures a bout of depression—her grief always intensifies around the anniversary of the death of Cassaty’s twin brother, Paul, who died mere months after they were born. Cassaty, sadly, has long blamed herself for Paul’s death. Rudolph excels at developing a vibrant cast, from the seemingly abrasive Cisco, who eases his way onto the sleuthing team, to Cassaty’s Aunt Melodie, an investigative reporter who lives in South Korea. The story also provides an authentic depiction of grief. The members of the Greene family mourn Paul in different ways; his loss is so painful that, even after more than a decade, they’re reluctant to talk about it. Cassaty’s investigation leavens the sorrow-laden narrative. It’s fun watching her team grow, especially as she tries to stay tight-lipped about her missing-persons case. The kids smartly overcome obstacles, like managing to peruse social media despite some parents’ “strict ‘no social’ policy until high school.” While most readers will unravel the mystery well before Cassaty does, the author delivers a poignant final act that more than satisfies.

A taut mystery fueled by its well-drawn characters’ self-reflection and emotional depth.