Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Kid Lit Blog Hop #18: Review of Shirley Link: Middle Grade Mystery


Welcome back to the Kid Lit Blog Hop #18
 
Some of you may have noticed I am on a bit of a middle grade mystery binge at the moment. I can't get enough of them. I do have an alterior motive but I am not quite ready to reveal why.....Oh the mystery.
 
Todays review is for a great middle grade mystery.
Shirley Link and the Safe Case by Ben Zackheim
 
 

Description:

I put on my kindest face for the poor man. I even smile a little. Marie slashes her fingers across her neck, telling me to stop with the fake grin. She must think I look creepy again. I keep smiling, though. I need to practice. I have a problem with people thinking I'm mean. - Shirley Link

And so it goes, for Shirley Link. Brilliant, brazen and still a whole year away from her driver's permit. Sure, she's only 14 years old and has homework to do, but she'll put it aside for the right mystery! 

 

Shirley Link's kickoff adventure pits her against a thief who's stolen thirty thousand dollars from her school's safe. Usually, she'd wrap that kind of case up before The Big Bang Theory. But there's one intriguing, frustrating detail. The half-ton safe disappeared too! Shirley must find the culprit quickly, or else her beloved principal, Mr. Reese, will lose his job. As she digs deeper, Mr. Reese looks more and more guilty. Will Shirley save him, or get him tossed in jail?

My Review:
Well, to preface this review I must tell you of my absolute love of the TV series Veronica Mars, so when I found this book I was absolutely delighted. Shirley is the middle grade equivalent. She is smart, witty and has awesome observation skills, but of course is completely and utterly misunderstood by most of her teachers. Her friends totally get her though and I loved the way the author portrayed Shirley and her friends accepting each others quirks and working to their strengths.
The mystery was fast paced, funny and very cleverly done, but I can't go any further without offering spoilers. I liked Shirley from the get go, along with her crazy cop mum and eccentric dad.
This was a quick clean read, with a dash of unrequited love and a smidgen of mild violence. Just another great example of a very cool middle grade mystery which I think reluctant and avid readers would really enjoy. I recommend if for children aged 10+    

Where to find Ben:

Follow on twitter: https://twitter.com/zackheim
Website: http://benzackheim.com/


More Books by Ben:
 
 
 
But wait, there's more.
Ben is generously offering all 3 books to 5 lucky entrants, so hop on down to enter the rafflecopter. 


 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Welcome to the 18th Kid Lit Blog Hop. The Kid Lit Blog Hop takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. We have managed to create a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists, as well as parents seeking out their next great read. So, you are more than welcome to link in and take some time to make some new friends. A big, big, big THANK YOU to all of you who abided by the new rules. I definitely noticed much more visits among everyone who participated. It is so much fun to develop relationships with all you wonderful people who participate in the Kid Lit Blog Hop time after time. I know that sometimes we are busy, but even if you visit just a couple people, it will make a big difference in your experience with being part of the Hop. Please join me in welcoming back our co-hostess for this Hop, Ramona from Create With Joy. Welcome Ramona! Please be sure to give each of our hostesses a visit to say a quick hello!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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34 comments:

  1. Rebecca M. Douglass19 June 2013 at 15:23

    Looks like a cool series! I entered the giveaway, but I can't do all the entries because I don't Twitter .

    I'll be back tomorrow to add my link once it goes live :)

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    1. Jambo19 June 2013 at 15:41

      Thanks so much Rebecca for stopping by. You can add your link now too, it's live. (ps Twitter has changed my writing life. You should join. Very easy and so many great people to meet and resources to utilize)

      Delete
  2. Unknown19 June 2013 at 17:49

    My granddaughter just finished Catstrosphe and she said it was wonderful..

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:46

      Thanks for stopping by, I have heard of Catastrophe, I will put it on the TBR pile, cheers Julie

      Delete
  3. Tonja Drecker19 June 2013 at 18:59

    Good mysteries are always great. I bet my daughter would like these. Loved the review!

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  4. Tonja Drecker19 June 2013 at 19:00

    Oops. I was supposed to answer a question. Well, as to the MG, check my review of How the Lizard Got Her Legs. And it's free :)

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:47

      LOL, just great that you stopped by Tonya. I really enjoyed How The Lizard Got Her Legs back too, so snaps for Ilana. Have a great hop, cheers Julie

      Delete
  5. Jemima Pett19 June 2013 at 19:39

    This looks awesome, Julie. But I get all my recommendations on mystery books from you!

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:49

      OH, wow, that is awesome Jemima, I will keep them coming then with a very special one to be released soon, he he, all will be revealed..... Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the hop. PS I got my Ipad back so I can read the Talent Seekers again. Hope to finish it soon, cheers Jules

      Delete
  6. Anonymous19 June 2013 at 21:59

    thanks for the book suggestions. I always keep ideas for Dino and my students. Thanks for hosting babe

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:50

      Always great to hear from you, that Dino of your is growing up fast. Have a great hop, Jules

      Delete
  7. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 05:00

    Hooray for middle grade mysteries! This sounds like a good one.

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:52

      Yes, I have a very soft spot for all things middle grade mystery, lol, have a great hop and thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  8. Unknown20 June 2013 at 09:49

    I loved Nancy Drew mysteries when I was young. This looks like it could be great for kids now.
    Thanks for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop.

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:54

      Great to meet you Kriss, and I loved Nancy Drew too, although now I feel they are a bit dated, time to bring on some new middle grade mysteries, he he,

      Delete
  9. ccarpinello20 June 2013 at 11:59

    Thanks for sharing this, Julie. I had not heard of this series. Another one to recommend to my daughter's 6th graders. Hopping on, Cheryl, Hop Hostess.

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 12:56

      Great to see you again Cheryl. I met Ben through twitter, so when I saw he wrote middle grade mysteries I was delighted to read them. Have a great hop. Cheers Julie

      Delete
  10. Renee C.20 June 2013 at 13:24

    Middle Grade Mystery? Is it sad that I'm drawing a blank? lol I mean, other than the one I just read and reviewed, Lizzy Speare. Oh sorry, I'm bad at this. These sound so fabulous and I think Danielle would just love them. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 13:48

      He he I will have to rectify that blank with a certain middle grade mystery that is currently dangling somewhere in computer land waiting for Dave to wield his magical illustrations.....foot tapping. I think Danielle would love Shirley. Thanks for dropping by....

      Delete
  11. Sue20 June 2013 at 14:55

    Have you read Elliott Stone and the Summer Vacation Sea Monster Mystery? I did and reviewed it if you are curious, and you are curious, right? Ha! I know you are. I love your blog. I need to pop over more often. Nice review. BUT, now I want to read this - which means I will review this -- and I do not have the time. I'd say "Thanks a lot Julie!" but I am afraid it would sound sarcastic and you know I am anything but sarcastic. :-)

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    1. Jambo20 June 2013 at 20:01

      Hi Sue, I am honoured you have swung by my humble digs. I haven't heard of that one, but it shall go into my super secret research pile for future reference...And as far as wanting to read more, mwha ha ha my work is done........

      Delete
  12. Resh21 June 2013 at 03:02

    It looks like a good read.. for this genre, as long as the central character is liked and related to by kids, the book is often a success. glad that you enjoyed reading it :)
    Thanks for sharing on the blog hop!
    -Reshama
    www.stackingbooks.com

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    1. Jambo26 June 2013 at 17:19

      Thanks for stopping by Reshama, I totally agree.

      Delete
  13. Ben24 June 2013 at 23:13

    Hi all! Thanks so much for your interest in the series. You sound like a close-knit bunch. I'm back from Italy, where I think Shirley will end up enjoying a Tuscan adventure. With castle ruins, food, explosive sunsets, food, rolling hills and, uh, food.

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    1. Jambo26 June 2013 at 17:24

      Thanks for dropping by Ben and for offering the giveaway. Now that is just pure torture talking about your Italian frolics, you better come through with a Shirley Link book or we cannot be friends any longer, lol.

      Delete
  14. cleemckenzie25 June 2013 at 01:22

    I love middle grade and really was happy when I found your blog! Thank you for the great suggestion today and for all the covers with links to more reading fun.

    www.cleemckenizebooks.com

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    1. Jambo26 June 2013 at 17:20

      Great to meet you C.Lee, we love all things middle grade and mysteries are my favourite. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  15. Crystal Marcos25 June 2013 at 05:50

    Hi Julie, nice to see you at the KidLit Blog Hop again. =) Thanks for the giveaway. A more recent book I read from an Indie author was Millicent Marbleroller and the House of the Toymaker. The second book is on my to-read list.

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    1. Jambo26 June 2013 at 17:21

      Hi Crystal, we always love it when you stop by. Ooh Millicent Marbleroller, the title is super cool. I will find it on goodreads. Thanks for joining us on the hop.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous26 June 2013 at 06:07

    Mysteries are my FAVORITE kind of children's books! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Jambo26 June 2013 at 17:22

      Hooray Katie, I love MG mystery too, so stay tuned......there might be one coming your way soon lol

      Delete
  17. jennifischer.blogspot.com26 June 2013 at 13:47

    I love that you shared a book for middle schoolers that features a smart, female lead. We need more books like that being shared for teenage girls (and boys) to read.

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  18. Jambo27 June 2013 at 11:41

    Great that you dropped by Jennifer, yes we love middle grade books with strong female and male protagonists with messages of encouragement, perseverance and resilience. Thanks for joining the hop. Cheers Julie

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  19. Jemima Pett24 July 2013 at 03:16

    Really grateful for being picked as a winner of your giveaway. Thanks so much!

    I've now read the first one, and all I have to say is... Shirley Link ROCKS!!!

    ReplyDelete

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