The Purloined Corn Popper: A Felicity Shell Mystery (Felicity Snell Mystery) - Hardcover

Grade 4-6?After this book circulates, there may be a lot of amateur sleuths running about solving mysteries, for this really is a "how to" book. The contrived plot, which involves a missing Hippo popcorn popper in which Tim Kowalski's mother hid her "tip money," allows the heroine, Felicity Snell, a former private detective but now the new junior librarian in town, to teach a group of children how to solve the mystery. She takes them step by step through the procedures of gathering evidence, asking the right questions, being observant, and concentrating on the hard facts?all of the skills that good detectives need. And there is even a wringer, J. G., the boy who is quick to jump to conclusions and make accusations based on a person's family history. There is little character development; the choice of children seems just to move the story along. The only change that takes place is a realization that J. G. isn't such a bad guy after all since he can admit, albeit reluctantly, that maybe he was wrong. The book seems to send a wrong message when, early on, Tim's punishment is to be sent to the library and forced to get a library card. Readers might not remember the plot, or care about the characters, but they will come away with a good understanding of what is needed to solve a mystery, be it big or small.?Edith Ching, Parrott Library, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"Mystery lovers rejoice, Hildick is back." -- School Library Journal, February 1998

"These two titles, which introduce a new mystery series for Hildick, feature intrepid children's librarian and former private investigator Felicity Snell....Not since John Bellairs introduced us to Miss Eells have children's librarians gotten such an image boost!...Both books will make great read-alouds." -- Booklist, January 1998