Ada Lace, on the Case

July 17, 2017
Calandrelli, host of TV’s Xploration Outer Space, brings a Rear Window vibe to this drily funny series opener, which introduces scientifically minded Ada Lace, who keeps tabs on her new neighborhood in a field guide while waiting for a broken leg to heal. When a dog goes missing, Ada investigates, aided by her exuberant new friend Nina. Kurilla’s interspersed b&w cartoons help create tension as Ada tries to narrow down the suspects. Calandrelli smoothly incorporates numerous references to scientific principles (such as Occam’s Razor) into the story, and the banter between Ada and Nina keeps things moving briskly. Ages 6–10. Author’s agency: (for Calandrelli) Octagon. Illustrator’s agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary.

June 15, 2017
Using science and technology, third-grader Ada Lace kicks off her new series by solving a mystery even with her leg in a cast. Temporarily housebound after a badly executed bungee jump, Ada uses binoculars to document the ecosystem of her new neighborhood in San Francisco. She records her observations in a field journal, a project that intrigues new friend Nina, who lives nearby. When they see that Ms. Reed's dog, Marguerite, is missing, they leap to the conclusion that it has been stolen. Nina does the legwork and Ada provides the technology for their search for the dognapper. Story-crafting takes a back seat to scene-setting in this series kickoff that introduces the major players. As part of the series formula, science topics and gadgetry are integrated into the stories and further explained in a "Behind the Science" afterword. This installment incorporates drones, a wireless camera, gecko gloves, and the Turing test as well as the concept of an ecosystem. There are no ethnic indicators in the text, but the illustrations reveal that Ada, her family, and bratty neighbor Milton are white; Nina appears to be Southeast Asian; and Mr. Peebles, an inventor who lives nearby, is black. The story feels a bit contrived, but Ada will be a welcome addition to the small circle of science-loving girls in the chapter-book world. (Fiction. 7-9)

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