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LARK TAKES A BOW

Name: LARK TAKES A BOW
Author: Natasha Deen
ISBN: 978-1-4598-1715-9

From the Lark Ba Detective series

by Natasha Deen ; illustrated by Marcus Cutler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 23, 2018

As a multiethnic detective, Lark’s authentic success at sleuthing ensures her a place at the chapter-book table.

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Someone is playing pranks on the community theater’s rehearsals of Alice in Wonderland. The Ba twins spring into action to solve this mystery before the play is shut down.

The third title in the Lark Ba Detective series begins at play rehearsals, where suspicious problems are showing up every day. The confusion and resultant delay are jeopardizing the entire play, causing everyone to be on edge. Both Lark and Connor have parts to rehearse, but they would rather find out who has removed the buttons from the costumes and taken the light bulbs from the makeup vanities. Their mixed-race family (Korean and Kenyan) is reintroduced but takes a back seat to the investigation. Lark’s personality, however, is full of curiosity and determination, leading readers down the rabbit hole of clues. Like any good mystery, the book offers a list of suspects, red herrings, organized clues, and a moment of truth. The plot and pacing slowly build through the rehearsals just as the production nears showtime. This realistic story involves finding someone caught in a difficult situation and the hard decision to tell someone in charge. It wasn’t a high crime, like stealing diamonds. But it also wasn’t an accident, like losing a key. When friends and family are involved, solving mysteries can be complicated.

As a multiethnic detective, Lark’s authentic success at sleuthing ensures her a place at the chapter-book table. (Mystery. 6-9)

Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-4598-1715-9

Page Count: 96

Publisher: Orca

Review Posted Online: July 15, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S MYSTERY & THRILLER

- BOOK REVIEW
THE GHOST TREE
by Natasha Deen ; illustrated by Lissy Marlin

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SIGNS AND WONDERS OF TUNA RASHAD
by Natasha Deen

- BOOK REVIEW
DEPTH OF FIELD
by Natasha Deen

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THE DIAMOND MYSTERY

From the Whodunit Detective Agency series , Vol. 1

by Martin Widmark ; illustrated by Helena Willis ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2014

Nicely paced, with just the right number of red herrings to keep readers thinking; they will hope the number 1 on the spine...

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Jerry and Maya, classmates and friends, spend their spare time solving mysteries in their hometown of Pleasant Valley in this Swedish import.

Things are not so pleasant for Mohammed Carat, the richest man in Pleasant Valley. His world-famous jewelry store is losing money; apparently, one of his employees is stealing valuable diamonds and gems. The police are no help, so Mr. Carat turns to the youngsters for help. Each employee is a suspect: Vivian is in money trouble, former owner Danny wants his store back, and Luke’s flashy spending is suspicious. Jerry and Maya are hired to help out around the shop—washing windows, taking out the trash and so forth—but really they are there to watch the employees, both from inside the shop and from the church tower next door. Young mystery aficionados will enjoy solving the puzzle along with Maya and Jerry and will admire their observational powers. Full-color cartoon illustrations add much to the story, helping readers to see what the young gumshoes do. A map of Pleasant Valley and an illustrated cast of characters are provided in the early pages, allowing new readers an excellent reference tool to keep the many characters straight.

Nicely paced, with just the right number of red herrings to keep readers thinking; they will hope the number 1 on the spine indicates that this is the first of many Maya and Jerry mysteries. (Mystery. 7-9)

Pub Date: July 31, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-448-48067-1

Page Count: 80

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: May 27, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S MYSTERY & THRILLER

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE PEARL
by Martin Widmark ; illustrated by Emilia Dziubak ; translated by Polly Lawson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE HOUSE OF LOST AND FOUND
by Martin Widmark ; illustrated by Emilia Dziubak ; translated by Polly Lawson

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THE FENWAY FOUL-UP

BALLPARK MYSTERIES, #1

From the Ballpark Mysteries series , Vol. 1

by David A. Kelly & illustrated by Mark Meyers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 22, 2011

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A new series for emerging chapter-book readers combines the allure of baseball parks with the challenge of solving a mystery. Mike and Kate have tickets to a Red Sox game and an all-access pass to the park, courtesy of Kate's mom, a sportswriter. The pass comes in handy when it's reported that star player Big D's lucky bat has been stolen, as it allows them to help find the thief. Historical details about Fenway Park, including the secret code found on the manual scoreboard, a look at Wally the mascot and a peek into the gift shop, will keep the young baseball fan reading, even when the actual mystery of the missing bat falls a little flat. Writing mysteries for very young readers is a challenge—the puzzle has to be easy enough to solve while sustaining readers' interest. This slight adventure is more baseball-park travel pamphlet than mystery, a vehicle for providing interesting details about one of the hallowed halls of baseball. Not a homerun, but certainly a double for the young enthusiast. On deck? The Pinstripe Ghost, also out on Feb. 22, 2011. (historical notes) (Mystery. 6-9)