The Impossible Clue

Gr 4–6—Alice, a 12-year-old math whiz who likes a challenge, investigates the disappearance of Dr. Learner at the request of her schoolmate Sammy Delgado. Dr. Learner, the lead scientist at Delgado Industries, was working on an invisibility suit. Did his research cause him to disappear, or were there nefarious goings-on? This plot-driven mystery abounds with danger and red herrings. The author indicates socioeconomic class through the characters' possessions: Alice rides a bike, while Sammy has a personal driver; Dr. Learner inhabits a run-down apartment, whereas Mr. Delgado lives in a mansion. Alice's middle-class family aren't perfect, but they achieve their goals through hard work and honesty, and their home is a place of love and, ultimately, respect and acceptance. The wealthy occupy their position through unethical practices, and Sammy finds Dr. Learner more of a loving, caring father figure than his own dad. Rubin shows readers that people are more than their appearance, gender, class, or age and that a middle school girl can like herself, make friends, resolve family conflict, and solve a mystery. This novel ends with the loose ends tied up and offers a realistic conclusion.