Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Shelby Holmes and John Watson are back in school and back to sleuthing. When Shelby meets her new science teacher, Mr. Crosby, she immediately senses something suspicious about him. When his watch is stolen, Holmes takes the case and is faced with her greatest adversary yet. Has Holmes met her match? Holmes's know-it-all personality and Watson's more laid-back persona continue to complement each other as they did in the previous book. Watson faces the challenges of beginning a new school, making new friends, coping with his parents' divorce, and navigating health issues related to his diabetes. Holmes continues to be the boisterous character who doesn't care what others think and will do anything to solve a case. Watson sets a great example for middle grade readers as he doesn't sacrifice his relationship with outsider Holmes as he makes new friends in school. Readers are treated to the softer side of Holmes as she learns that sometimes her ego gets in the way of the things that matter most. Eulberg does an excellent job of character development and presenting realistic family and friend relationships. The satisfying conclusion leaves open the possibility of additional sequels. VERDICT Another fantastic addition to the series which will have readers anxiously awaiting Holmes and Watson's next adventure.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX © Copyright 2017. 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
Diminutive Shelby Holmes and her sidekick, narrator John Watson (The Great Shelby Holmes), return for a mystery that pits them against Shelby's nemesis, Moira Hardy. Continuing her contemporary-Harlem-set reimagining of the classic detectives, Eulburg makes intriguing use of deductive reasoning and disguises. However, the small stakes of the neighborhood mystery seem best suited to early-elementary readers, who may not be ready for such a lengthy read. (c) Copyright 2018. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
John Watson's known minisleuth Shelby Holmes for only three weeks, but he already knows sixth grade will be significantly enlivened with Shelby's cases to solve.John, an Army brat settled down for the first time, makes friends easily in his new Harlem magnet school for the arts. But though he loves his new multiethnic crewthey play video games, shoot hoops, and discuss Mozart sonatas and modern arthe can't deny the thrill of solving cases. Even when Shelby is patronizing (always!) or rude to their clients (also always!), John's excited, but maybe taking a case for their teacher who doesn't want their help is just a tad over the line. To investigate a villainous private school headmistress, John and Shelby go undercover, Shelby disguised as prim little "Basia Rathbone" in one of several in-jokes for adult readers. John worries about lying to his mother as well as about being a black boy undercover in a rich neighborhood (something that doesn't occur to Shelby, who's white), but it doesn't occur to him to worry about his diabetes. And it doesn't occur to either of them that anyone could get the better of Shelby, until they meet nasty and brilliant, rich, olive-skinned Moira Hardy. Charming and funny, this winning adventure also finds time for its middle school sleuths to develop real maturity. (Mystery. 9-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
