I So Don't Do Famous

March 1, 2010
In this sequel to Summy's debut novel I So Don't Do Mysteries, Sherry, who has continued contact with her dead mother, returns as an eighth-grader preoccupied with her new boyfriend, her hair, and her dismal grades in computer class, which is taught by her stepmother, Paula, aka "The Ruler." As in the previous book, Sherry is helping her mother, a former cop now a ghost enrolled in an afterlife police academy, with real-world assignments. This time around, it involves finding a stalker who's harassing Paula. Between numerous classmates, rival school robotics teams, disgruntled parents, and the entire spirit realm, there are plenty of walk-on roles to provide fodder for Sherry's snarky commentary ("Who are these crazy, crazy, unbalanced nutzoids? I came here today totally believing the Donner robotics team wouldn't stalk The Ruler. Now? I'm not so sure"). Readers who like their mysteries light and frothy should find this to their taste, and those who missed the first installment will have no trouble starting here. Ages 10-up.

June 1, 2011

Gr 5-8-Sherlock Holmes Baldwin ("Sherry") is back for another mystery in this fourth installment in the series, and this time she's in Hollywood with her father and her friend Junie, having won an all-expenses paid trip for writing an essay on true love. Also along for the ride is Sherry's deceased mother, whose ghost only Sherry can speak to and who helps solve her daughter's cases. This time, Dear Elle, Hollywood Girl magazine's famed love advice columnist, has had her purse stolen, and the 13-year-old is determined to find the culprits. With the help of Junie, the Beverly Hills police, and some deus ex machina, Sherry is able to nab the thieves while taking in the Hollywood tourist sites, getting closer to her father, healing her broken heart, and meeting a cute new boy (who just happens to live near her in Arizona). The mystery is wrapped up in a neat little package. There isn't much substance here. Sherry and Junie are both flat stereotypes (Sherry is the fashionista; Junie is the brainiac). The contrived plot doesn't move the story in any worthy direction. This book will be popular with fans of the series, but it's an additional purchase at best.-Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ

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