FICTION

Wallace and Grace and the Cupcake Caper

by Heather ALEXANDER
9781681190105. ea vol: illus. by Laura Zarrin. 80p. (Wallace and Grace). Bloomsbury. May 2017. Tr $9.99.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2–4—Wallace and Grace are owl detectives. At night they help their animal friends solve mysteries, from the spooky noises of a might-be ghost to the crumbly caper of the missing cupcake. The writing is simple and enjoyable for emerging readers. More challenging terms such as conclusion and quandary (Wallace loves big words) are sprinkled in with explanations. In The Cupcake Caper, Wallace and Grace help a foul-tempered chipmunk discover who consumed his treat. In Take the Case, the pair aid a rabbit solve the case of a potential ghost. Many animals are suspects, and the clues lead the feathered sleuths to a satisfying ending. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, and there is a good balance between words and illustrations so new readers will be encouraged.
VERDICT Fans of Rebecca Elliott's "Owl Diaries" will flock to this adorable new series.
Reviewed by Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
In this beginning chapter-book series, owl detectives Wallace and Grace help solve mysteries for the other forest animals. The two friends are careful to be fair and thorough, and the stories emphasize teamwork and honesty. Easy-to-read sentences include lots of dialogue; vocabulary words are somewhat awkwardly defined in the text. Color illustrations show the characters' personalities and help with comprehension.
 , Mar 01, 2017

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