The Mystery of Meerkat Hill: A Precious Ramotswe Mystery for Young Readers

K-Gr 4—Kind, clever, and compassionate Precious Ramotswe is always eager to hone her budding detective skills. When newcomers Pontsho and Teb can't find their much-needed cow, she uses her quick wit and clue-finding skills to come to their aid. This installment in the series is sure to please fans and grab new readers. The story is fun and light, with the perfect amount of suspense to keep young readers wanting more. Set on the hills and plains of Botswana, McCall Smith's story's descriptive language takes readers there and will leave them wanting to learn more about this beautiful land. The block-print style illustrations, done in black, gray, and white with lots of touches of red, create interest and intrigue, yet artfully allow readers the luxury of using their imaginations to develop the plot and characters fully. This book will enhance all library collections, especially those eager to include fiction that gives a slice of life in another country. Perfect as a read-aloud or for beginning chapter readers.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE