Mysteries for Elementary Schoolers

 

A London Art Chase

By Natalie Grant

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Series: Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz (January 26, 2016)

ISBN-10: 0310752655

ISBN-13: 978-0310752653

Approximate Lexile: 1060

 

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

In London Art Chase, the first title in the new Faithgirlz Glimmer Girls series, readers meet 10-year-old twins Mia and Maddie and their adorable little sister, LuLu. All the girls are smart, sassy, and unique in their own way, each with a special little something that adds to great family adventures.

 

There is pure excitement in the family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses what she believes to be an art theft and takes her sisters and their beloved and wacky nanny Miss Julia, on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the supposed thief to his lair. Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?

 

A Dolphin Wish

By Natalie Grant

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Series: Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz (January 26, 2016)

ISBN-10: 0310752531

ISBN-13: 978-0310752530

Approximate Lexile: 1060

 

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Join twins Mia and Maddie and their sidekick little sister, LuLu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and sometimes mischief along the way. Together with their famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny Miss Twist, the sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more.

 

In A Dolphin Wish a three-night stop in the city of San Diego seems like it might be just the break the girls need—lovely weather and great sights to see. That is until they hear animal handlers at “Watery World” talking about the trouble they’ve been having keeping the animals in their habitats. Mia and her sisters cannot resist a challenge and they talk Miss Twist into another visit to the educational amusement park to search for clues as to what or who is helping the animals escape.

 

My Thoughts:

Overall, these were cute books for young girls who like mysteries. They might read a bit young for the upper end of the target age range—my favorite 7^th grader would be impatient with them.

 

These books have two goals—entertainment and encouragement to Christian girls. They do well on both fronts. The family dynamic is good, with solid parents who obviously love their children, and sisters with a strong bond.

 

While the publishers’ blurbs describe the nanny, Miss Julia, as “wacky,” I really didn’t see that. She is responsible and solid, while still being fun. If fun=wacky, then I guess she’s wacky.

 

My biggest objection is that the girls, despite REPEATED admonitions from every grownup, keep running off. And in a huge metropolis like London, that’s a big scary problem. I’ve hoofed it around London alone—in my 30s—and it’s not for the faint of heart. I can’t imagine even a daredevil 10-year-old doing that. It’s a typical trope in kids’ mysteries like these.

 

And these are Christian girls who want to be obedient and do the right thing—and then they defy the adults. It just doesn’t mesh for me. As a parent, this is the part of the books that I really disliked. Just as much as I dislike stories in which the adults never listen to the children, I dislike stories in which the children keep thinking they are the ONLY people around who can take care of the [whatever the Maguffin is].


My eight-year-old couldn't finish the stories. The fact that the girls were disobeying and putting themselves in danger made her too anxious to press through to find out how the mysteries were resolved.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Children disobeying and running off. (Obviously.) Discussion about God and faith—it’s teachy, but not preachy, but if you don’t want your kids reading about religion, bypass this.

 

Who Might Like These Books:

The younger end of the target age range. Children who like mysteries. Christians/people of faith. Probably not of great interest to boys—there aren’t many male characters of focus besides the dad.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARCs.