a fun puzzle adventure and twisty middle grade mystery! š¤«
MBH no. 27
Hello!
Iām excited to be back with two more mysteries todayā one for our chapter book contingency, and one geared toward slightly older middle grade readers. Both have compelling storylines and fun characters, but thatās where the similarities end. Our first book is a totally unique and interactive puzzle āadventureā that invites readers to solve the mystery along with the protagonists.
Based on Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game, the second book weaves lies, secrets, tragedy, greed, and betrayal with the importance of family and forgiveness. Thereās a lot here, and itās an exciting start to a new series!
Thanks so much for reading and engaging with this newsletter. It means a lot to me. And if you know a friend who might enjoy The Magic Book House, Iād love it if you passed it along.
Sherlock Bones and the Case of the Crown Jewels, by Tim Collins, illustrated by John Bigwood
The inspector barged in. His saggy jowls were quivering and his shoulders were drooping. āSomething awful has happened,ā he said, still panting. āWe need your help.ā
āExcellent,ā said Bones, rubbing his paws together. āSounds like just the sort of thing I was hoping for.ā
This is the first book in the Sherlock Bones Puzzle Quest series. Someone has stolen the crown jewels from Buckingham Kennel, and Sherlock Bones is on the case! Along with his loyal sidekick Dr. Catson, Bones follows the (well-placed) clues to unravel the mystery.
Award-winning author Tim Collins has written a twisty, fast-paced mystery with plenty of action and the kind of humor kids love. The illustrations and puzzles are just as engaging--if not more--than the text!
Readers can help Bones and Catson track the villain by solving one fun puzzle after another, including mazes, hidden pictures, scrambled words, and secret codes. Over 30 puzzles are sprinkled throughout the story, allowing the reader to solve the crime right along with Bones and Catson.
Like this:
Or this:
This interactive mystery is such a clever twist on Sherlock Holmes, and I highly recommend it as a read-aloud. It's such a great opportunity to connect with your child as you read and solve the puzzles together.
Recommended for ages 6-9
Final Word: The Winterton Deception (Book 1), by Janet Sumner Johnson
Dear Betty, Hope, and Gordon,
Iāve been watching you and would like to help. The Wintertons are a secretive crowd, but Iāve uncovered something that might benefit your family. Something the Wintertons would not want you to knowā¦
When the novel begins, 13-year-old Hope and her twin brother Gordon have just learned the identity of their deceased father: Brandon Winterton, the youngest child of one of the wealthiest families in the country. The twins arenāt sure why their mom has never talked to them about their father, but Hope doesnāt really careāshe despises rich people and wants nothing to do with the Wintertons.
However, after their mother loses her job and they are threatened with eviction, Gordon secures an entry in the Wintertonās charity spelling bee. He wants to learn more about his dadās family, and the $500,000 cash prize is too much to pass up. Hope only agrees to the spelling bee because she knows the money will save her family from financial ruin.
After winning the preliminary round, the Smiths are invited to the Winterton Chalet, where the contestants, most of whom are estranged members of the Winterton family, arrive. Hope doesnāt care about making connectionsāshe just wants to win the bee and leave.
However, recently deceased matriarch Jane Winterton has left clues to a literary treasure worth even more than the half-million dollar prize, along with a series of letters that reveal family secrets and add to the tension in the Chalet. Hope and Gordon begin their hunt in secret, but someone else is looking for the prizeā¦someone determined to win-no matter what.
Final Word is a page-turner that will definitely hook young readersāmy 6th grader read this in two days, and I wasnāt far behind.
While the idea of a family spelling bee might not excite some kids, the mystery surrounding the Wintertonsā family dynamics is intriguing and compels the reader to want to learn more about this odd, secretive family.
Late elementary- early middle school readers will love this suspenseful series starter.
Recommended for ages 9-12
Thatās all for today!
Wishing you hours and hours of reading magic,
Katie
P.S. As you all know by now, I am a Bookshop.org affiliate. This impactful organization donates all profits to local bookstores (more on that here). If you purchase through one of my links or by visiting my storefront, I earn a teeny tiny commission, which one day might be able to buy me a latte;).