The Magic Box

August 1, 2014
A ghostly (but not scary) new chapter-book mystery series kicks off. Due to his father's extensive travel, 10-year-old Max is sent to live with his beloved grandpa Harry. Soon he discovers his uncle Larry is living there, too-only he died quite a while ago and is now a ghost! When he was alive, Uncle Larry aspired to be a famous detective but never solved one case. Just as Max is taking this all in, the phone rings: An old friend of Larry's is on the line, looking for help in solving a case of a missing girl who disappeared in the middle of her birthday party. Max and Larry take on the case with comic results. Larry is as bumbling now as he was in life, but Max can rely on what he has learned from the mystery books he loves. Together they search for clues and create a list of suspects. Is it the sullen older sister or the grumpy clown that makes balloon animals or the sassy neighbor? Falcone keeps readers guessing and pages turning with humorous dialogue and a quickly paced plot. The chapters, already short, are subdivided into scenes for ease of reading. For those wanting to test their observation skills, a "Spot the Difference" pair of illustrations is at the back of the book. Young investigators will appreciate this accessible mystery, and they'll look forward to the next title, The Missing Zucchini (2014). (Mystery. 6-10)

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October 1, 2014

Gr 2-4-Max is spending the summer with his eccentric grandfather, who lives in a spooky old house that Max loves. One day, as the child is out exploring, he finds a small, run-down house with a sign that reads, "The Monroe Detective Agency." That's how he learns that he had a great-uncle who was a detective. Poor Larry died with a bad reputation and a broken heart. Now he is a crying ghost who wishes for a second chance to show that he is more than a "bumbling detective." With Max as his partner, Larry gets his chance. Marty the magician calls the agency with an emergency and they are off to solve the case. This beginning chapter book will engage youngsters who like mysteries mixed with silly characters. Black-and-white line drawings add a comic edge.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

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