With everything so dicey these days pertaining to public education in the post-pandemic era, it was nice to hear some good news for a change: at a recent dinner party, my friend Maggie, who works as a librarian in a local middle school, told me that her students love mysteries! Turns out kids do sometimes … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS: A Comparison for the Ages
Adventures on Trains
PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
“There is no Frigate like a Book to take us Lands away . . . “ These words by Emily Dickenson were emblazoned on the bookplates my grandparents gave me when, at an early age, I declared my love for reading. I pasted them into every volume I owned and used up my stock long ago. … Continue reading PAT ON THE BACK: Meeting (Some of) My 2022 Goals
THE BOY FROM U.N.C.L.E.: The Arctic Railway Assassin
Tell me it’s not true, Maya! Say it isn’t so, Sam. Et tu, Elisa . . . ? There is a myth in the literary world that authors (and illustrators) are people, too, and that they must be allowed to go where their imagination and passion takes them. I think those who believe this are … Continue reading THE BOY FROM U.N.C.L.E.: The Arctic Railway Assassin
KRIMES FOR KIDS, DOWN UNDER EDITION: Sabotage on the Solar Express
After dragging myself through a Book Club selection that aimed for the moon but sputtered at take-off, I wanted a read that would take me for a wild ride. Thankfully, the latest chapter in the Adventures in Trains series had only recently arrived at my door. Those masters of ferroequinology, Mara Leonard, Sam Sedgman and Elisa Paganelli … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS, DOWN UNDER EDITION: Sabotage on the Solar Express
KRIMES FOR KIDS LEVEL UP: Danger at Dead Man’s Pass
Last year was tough – not as difficult as 2020 but, to say the least, something of a drag. I could probably count the exciting events that happened to me on one hand, and one of those fingers would have to be saved for my buddy JJ. On March 30, he posted a review of … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS LEVEL UP: Danger at Dead Man’s Pass
THE RATCHETT EFFECT: Kids Solve Krimes on Trains
I have to hand it to my pal JJ: through his regular feature, “Minor Felonies,” over at his blog The Invisible Event, he has been calling my attention to some amazing mystery novels written with young people (and the young at heart) in mind. Sure, my shelves are over-crowded and my pocketbook depleted, but I’m … Continue reading THE RATCHETT EFFECT: Kids Solve Krimes on Trains
KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Curse of the Middle Child
Earlier this spring, I read the first book in not one but two series of mystery novels for kids, thanks to the diligence of my buddy JJ who spends a significant amount of time over at The Invisible Event digging up juvenile gold in the mystery genre. You can catch up to my initial thoughts … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS: The Curse of the Middle Child
KRIMES FOR KIDS: Two Series of Unfortunate Events!
Everyone loves serials these days. You might blame this on television, what with so many of us stuck inside with Netflix, bleary-eyed from binge-watching the latest imported telenovela (sapopera if you’re watching Scandi-noir; merodorama if it’s a nice juicy anime series). But TV series deserve no credit for inventing series characters. Back in the 16th century, traveling theatre troupes performed commedia dell’arte for … Continue reading KRIMES FOR KIDS: Two Series of Unfortunate Events!
Ah Sweet Mystery! 