Review by Booklist Review
As an army brat, John Watson is used to making new friends. But when he and his mother move to New York City, he meets the strangest kid he's ever known: Shelby Holmes, detective. In what John calls a Jedi mind trick, she deduces within minutes that his mother is an army doctor, was wounded in Afghanistan, and is recently divorced. When Shelby is summoned to find a missing dog, John tags along and finds himself baffled by the case. In the end, Shelby finds the culprit and accepts Watson, as she calls John, as her partner. Similarities to Sherlock Holmes abound, though whether that resonates with readers will depend on their familiarity with related books, movies, or TV shows. Like Arthur Conan Doyle's Watson, John serves as a sympathetic narrator who is unreliable in that his critical thinking is trumped by his emotions. The multicultural casting is made clear in the grayscale illustrations. Mystery fans may try to solve the case, but most, like John, will enjoy just hanging out with Shelby to see what happens next.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this series opener, Eulberg (We Can Work It Out) creates a lively present-day update of Sherlock Holmes, one with plenty of winks to the source material. Eleven-year-old John Watson has grown up on multiple army bases, but now that his parents are splitting up, he and his mother move to 211 Baker Street-in Harlem-where he meets nine-year-old neighbor Shelby Holmes. Watson is intrigued by the brilliant and intense Shelby, who is known throughout the neighborhood for her crime-solving talent. Her prickly demeanor can be challenging, but Watson is amazed by Shelby's powers of observation and deduction, and soon the two are helping a classmate locate her missing show dog. Watson's struggles adjusting to New York City life, making friends, and missing his father are captured believably. Readers will delight in Shelby's ability to read clues in this well-plotted mystery and sympathize with Watson who, along with the rest of the supporting cast, is generally two steps behind Shelby. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Shelby Holmes is a plucky sixth-grade detective known for solving problems in her Harlem neighborhood. John Watson is a self-proclaimed army brat dealing with his parents' divorce and a move to what he hopes will be his forever home. When Watson moves into Shelby's building, Shelby discovers that friendship might be the greatest mystery of all. This middle grade retelling of the classic Sherlock Holmes/Watson relationship will delight readers as they attempt to solve the mystery of a missing dog. Told from Watson's perspective, this title introduces readers to Shelby's curt behavior in a manner that allows them to empathize with the girl as she learns how to be a friend. Ample time is also given to Watson's journey from detective's assistant to a full-fledged partner. Secondary plots about Watson coping with his parents' divorce and the difficulties of making new friends when he frequently moves will appeal to a large group of readers. The overall message of accepting others is made without seeming overly preachy. Readers will look forward to the conclusion of the mystery and will anxiously anticipate additional books in the series. VERDICT Eulberg's middle grade debut is a first purchase for mystery lovers.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The day eleven-year-old army brat John Watson moves to Harlem he meets Shelby Holmes, a pint-sized modern-day Sherlock who uses deductive reasoning to solve neighborhood crimes, such as a dognapping. Readers who stick with the somewhat drawn-out plot will enjoy the references to the classic detective duo and the mystery's reveal. Pleasant spot illustrations reflect the diversity of the neighborhood characters. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
