mood: celebratory
pandora/ipod: "love is a battlefield" by pat benetarI'm going to admit this up front: HARRIET THE SPY was my favorite book when I was 8 years old.
So it makes perfect sense that I'd gobble up a middle grade novel about two seventh graders who are trying to solve a crime that may or may not have been committed.
But first, the details...
From Goodreads:
Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out of spying on their neighbors. On one of their midnight stakeouts, they witness a terrifying, bloody scene at the home of their bizarre middle-school counselor, Dr. Charlotte Agford (aka Dr. Awkward).
At least, they think they do. The truth is that Dr. Agford was only making her famous pickled beets! But when Dr. Agford begins acting even weirder than usual, Sophie and Grace become convinced that she’s hiding something—and they’re determined to find out what it is.
Soon the girls are breaking secret codes, being followed by a strange blue car, and tailing strangers with unibrows and Texas accents. But as their investigation heats up, Sophie and Grace start to crack under the pressure. They might solve their case, but will their friendship survive?
Perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Wig in the Window is a smart, funny middle-grade mystery with a REAR WINDOW twist.
Kristen Kittscher grew up in over 13 cities, including San Francisco, Dallas, and London but she feels most at home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, Kai, and their hopelessly spoiled cat and dog.
A graduate of Brown University and former English teacher, she now writes funny mysteries for the precocious middle-schoolers she once enjoyed teaching so much. Her debut novel, THE WIG IN THE WINDOW, comes out in June 2013 with Harper Children’s.
Oh yes, and I should probably mention that's Kristen is a friend. But then again, so are most of the authors I talk about on my blog, so, whatevs.
Back to the book. THE WIG IN THE WINDOW focuses on best friends Sophie and Grace. Told from Sophie's point of view, it's quickly apparent that she's the more practical, more level-headed member of the team, while the effervescent Grace is clearly the instigator of all things trouble. Not that Sophie is a passive partner - as an aspiring FBI agent, she's inquisitive by nature, and methodical in her investigations. Meanwhile, Grace doesn't know the meaning of the word "caution" and her bull-headed approach to the investigation of the weird goings on at their middle school guidance counselor's house leads to trouble.
Undaunted by adults who don't believe a word of their story, Sophie and Grace are determined to find out what is going on at Dr. Agford's house, curfew or no curfew. Fast-paced and full of exciting action, heart-pounding tension and a bevy of clues and red herrings, THE WIG IN THE WINDOW reminds me of the mysteries I loved as a tween. As an adult, I loved Kristen's sense of humor in her writing - seriously, this book is funny as hell - while also capturing the voice of the precocious twelve-year-old I once was. Boys and girl alike will enjoy this book, and can I just add it's so lovely to see a main character of color in middle grade? Freaking awesome.
Oh yes, and a sequel is due out next year. I can't wait for more Sophie and Grace!
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Check out the other Bookanistas reviews this week!
Lenore Appelhans is bewitched by CHARM AND STRANGE by Stephanie Kuehn
Stasia Ward Kehoe delves into DANCER, DAUGHTER, TRAITOR, SPY by Elizabeth Kiem
Elana Johnson and Nikki Katz adore THIS IS W.A.R. by Lisa & Laura Roecker
Katy Upperman praises WORST CASE OF PASKETTI-ITIS by Kris Asselin
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