The Book Case

May 27, 2019
In this post-WWII-era British romp, Daphne earns a scholarship to the boarding school “St. Rita’s School for Spirited Girls, Est. 1873.” Upon arrival, Daphne meets George, the only boy in school, and signs on as the “assistant assistant librarian” to enigmatic student assistant librarian Emily Lime, to work in the school’s stunning beautiful library, which contains only a few books after a recent fire. Amid the “rum crowd” of rough girls, these three form an unlikely detective trio and set off to solve a series of mysterious break-ins, thefts, and the whereabouts of a missing student. Shelton (A Boy and a Bear in a Boat) crafts an energetic setting in this ramshackle school, with driveway craters caused by a chemistry experiment gone awry and windows shattered by a motorcycling Latin teacher. Lean character development and an ultimately flat mystery may limit readership, but fans of broad humor (nostalgic black-and-white illustrations underscore the slapstick comedy) and classic mysteries peopled with quirky characters may well be pleased. Ages 8–12.