Alice-Miranda on Vacation

February 15, 2012
The dauntless Alice-Miranda returns in a sequel fraught with mystery (Alice-Miranda at School, 2011). Having resolved the problems at her boarding school, Alice-Miranda is looking forward to her school holiday. However, with a penchant for seeking out mysteries, the plucky sleuth is soon surrounded by intrigue. With a cast of both familiar and new characters, Harvey moves the action to the bucolic estate of Alice-Miranda's family. Accompanied by her school friend Jacinta, Alice-Miranda soon uncovers several puzzling scenarios: A famous movie star is staying with Alice-Miranda's family, an enigmatic driver of an unknown car secretly visits Granny Bert, Daisy the maid spends her days crying and a new bully is on the scene. The forthright Jacinta provides a nice foil for Alice-Miranda's unwavering sweetness. A dash of corporate espionage involving a top-secret formula and a royal abduction make for thrilling adventures for the duo. Harvey provides ample clues for the clever Alice-Miranda--and perceptive readers--as she unravels the tangled plots surrounding her family and friends. With her trademark aplomb, Alice-Miranda successfully routs bumbling criminals without ever compromising her impeccable manners. This dashing adventure is a satisfying addition to this lively series. (Mystery. 7-11)

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May 1, 2012

Gr 2-4-Seven-and-a-half-year-old Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones bids farewell to her beloved boarding school, Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies. It's term break, and she is going home to Highton Hall for what the headmistress hopes will be "purely childish pursuits," taking Jacinita Headlington-Bear, "the school's former second-best tantrum thrower," with her. The classmates are welcomed with open arms by the warm staff, including the cook, Mrs. Oliver, who has created FDF (Freeze-Dried Foods), a valuable invention that could help starving and malnourished countries. When a rock-throwing, foulmouthed boy greets them as they enter the palatial grounds, strange and potentially harmful events begin to unfold. A mysterious black car; a suspicious, surprise visit from a handsome movie star; and unexplained footsteps in former housekeeper Granny Bert's Rose Cottage are a few of the puzzles that keep the young sleuths searching for explanations. Young Anglophiles will enjoy the chatter of this upper-crust cast of characters and their luxurious surroundings. The text has an oversupply of certain words, especially "lovely" and "darling," but the intriguing mysteries and number of unsavory characters will keep readers tuned in to see what happens next. A helpful list of characters is included.-Diane McCabe, Loyola Village Elementary School, Los Angeles

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