Lark and the Diamond Caper

September 25, 2017
This engaging sequel to Lark Holds the Key picks up immediately after the events of that story, in which young private investigators Lark and Conner Ba find a missing library key. This time, the twins happen upon a mystery at their town’s general store, where a pair of diamond earrings has disappeared. With careful questioning and note taking, as well as input from their Korean grandmother, Lark and her brother solve the case and still have time to put together a magic trick for their family’s talent night. Lark’s candid narration features crossed-out words she misspells, as well as other misunderstandings and malapropisms, that reflect her tricky relationship with language (she’s dyslexic), and Cutler’s digital illustrations bring the children’s multicultural community to life. Ages 7–9. Author’s agent: Amy Tompkins, Transatlantic Literary.

August 1, 2017
When a pair of diamond earrings disappears from Lee's General Store, the Ba twins mine for clues in this second title in the Lark Ba Detective series.Lark, 10 minutes older than her twin brother, Connor, loves to read books and solve mysteries. Her mixed-race identity (Korean and Kenyan) has no effect on her sleuthing skills, nor does her dyslexia. Deen's heroine reflects an underrepresented reader group and is as successful as any other lead character in early chapter books. While the action starts out slowly in first person, the tension rises in Chapter 4 with the actual disappearance of the diamond earrings. Diamond theft is a serious crime, but Lark and Connor are organized, perceptive, and thorough, undeterred by adults who dismiss them. Lark solves the mystery in Chapter 9, which is followed by three additional chapters providing entertaining yet innocuous details. Endnotes explore some of the word and jargon challenges Lark encounters. As in the first book of the series (Lark Holds the Key, 2016), Lark's nemesis, Sophie, calls her "baa, baa Lark Sheep." Lark optimistically reflects, "I knew Sophie was joking. She and I are best friends--she just doesn't know it yet." While it's important to acknowledge the slights that many minorities face, Lark's wish that Sophie be her friend realistically remains without resolution. Lark's sparkly presence on the chapter-book shelves will be welcomed by many. (Mystery. 6-9)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-The twin brother and sister detective team of Lark and Connor Ba are at it again in this second book in the series. For a dollar per case, the Ba private detective team will solve any mystery, big or small. Their latest challenge falls into their laps when they walk into the general store just as a theft has taken place. A pair of diamond earrings is missing. Through careful questioning and observation, they work steadily to recover the jewelry, much to the relief of the store owners. Using the same stylistic tools of the previous title, this short chapter book offers vocabulary for beginning readers with lengthier explanations in the back matter. VERDICT A lively read for young mystery enthusiasts.-Vivian Ho, Port Washington Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.