Minerva Clark Gives Up the Ghost - Hardcover

Grade 5–8—In her third appearance, 13-year-old Minerva Clark investigates a fire at a small family-owned grocery store in her hometown of Portland, OR. The blaze killed a tenant in an upstairs apartment. The police think it's an accident, but Angus Paine, the owners' teenage son, is convinced it is arson so he calls on Minerva for help. Unfortunately, she has no idea how to investigate this type of crime. Also complicating her life is her mother's second marriage. Several false leads confuse the young sleuth for a time and it is only after another fire erupts at her school and she discovers that Angus has some deep secrets that the truth comes out. Minerva is an interesting character—an electric shock has enabled her to solve crimes and endowed her with plenty of self-esteem. Readers who like Sammy Keyes will enjoy getting to know her. A subplot concerns her first venture into boyfriend/girlfriend status and the confused feelings that such a relationship engenders.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
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