Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery.
Plot Summary: Enola Holmes doesn't understand why her mother gave her the name that spells "alone" backwards, but it seems like a self-fulfilling prophesy. The day of her fourteenth birthday, her mother never came back. She did however leave a few presents with Mrs. Lane the housekeeper to give to Enola should she not arrive home in time. Enola first assumes these presents, an illustrated book of cyphers and a book on the language of flowers, are trivial. But when faced with the prospect of being sent to boarding school by her older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes she digs deeper into why her mother left. She finds many mysteries surrounding her mother's behavior, the secret finances, the disapperance, and decides to give the book of cyphers some thought. Using the language of flowers as her reference, Enola finds many things she did not expect. Armed with her new knowledge and hidden treasures, Enola sets off to London in search of her mother. Along the way, she becomes involved in another mystery, that of young Lord Tukesberry.
Critical Evaluation: This book was a great short read. Having not read a juvenile mystery, or any mystery for that matter, since the days of Encyclopedia Brown, I thought this book was quite refreshing. Although most suited for girls due to the mention of so many "unmentionables," boys may be drawn to the mystery and action of the story. Enola is certainly no typical Victorian lady. The narrative flows smoothly, with excellent descriptions of her surroundings and how deductive process.
Reader's Annotation: Enola Holmes, the mistake of the family, is tired of living in the shadow of her older brothers Mycroft and the famous Sherlock Holmes. After the disappearance of her mother, she sets off on an adventure to London to solve her own mystery.
Author Bio: Nancy Springer is the author of 45 books, including juvenile (tween/teen) and adult. She has written two novels set in the time of Camelot: I am Mordred and I am Morgan Le Fay. Springer has also created a five book series about the daughter of Robin Hood, Rowan Hood. Her newest series, The Enola Holmes series, follows the detective work of Sherlock Holmes' younger sister. In 1995 and 1996, Springer won The Edgar Allen Poe award for Toughing It and Looking for Jamie Bridger, respectively.
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: This would make a good Language Arts book selection.
Booktalking Ideas: The prologue of The Case of the Missing Marquess is very mysterious and certainly captured my attention. A good way to pique the interest of potential readers would be to read the prologue in the most engaging storytelling manner.
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 4-7, ages 10 and up.
Challenges: There is a lot of talk about undergarments, however it is done in a modest way.
Reason for including: I saw The Case of the Cryptic Crinolines in the new juvenile section at the library. I was going to read that one, but decided I should start from the beginning of the series. I can't bring myself to pick up a series in the middle.
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000015705,00.html
Critical Evaluation: This book was a great short read. Having not read a juvenile mystery, or any mystery for that matter, since the days of Encyclopedia Brown, I thought this book was quite refreshing. Although most suited for girls due to the mention of so many "unmentionables," boys may be drawn to the mystery and action of the story. Enola is certainly no typical Victorian lady. The narrative flows smoothly, with excellent descriptions of her surroundings and how deductive process.
Reader's Annotation: Enola Holmes, the mistake of the family, is tired of living in the shadow of her older brothers Mycroft and the famous Sherlock Holmes. After the disappearance of her mother, she sets off on an adventure to London to solve her own mystery.
Author Bio: Nancy Springer is the author of 45 books, including juvenile (tween/teen) and adult. She has written two novels set in the time of Camelot: I am Mordred and I am Morgan Le Fay. Springer has also created a five book series about the daughter of Robin Hood, Rowan Hood. Her newest series, The Enola Holmes series, follows the detective work of Sherlock Holmes' younger sister. In 1995 and 1996, Springer won The Edgar Allen Poe award for Toughing It and Looking for Jamie Bridger, respectively.
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: This would make a good Language Arts book selection.
Booktalking Ideas: The prologue of The Case of the Missing Marquess is very mysterious and certainly captured my attention. A good way to pique the interest of potential readers would be to read the prologue in the most engaging storytelling manner.
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 4-7, ages 10 and up.
Challenges: There is a lot of talk about undergarments, however it is done in a modest way.
Reason for including: I saw The Case of the Cryptic Crinolines in the new juvenile section at the library. I was going to read that one, but decided I should start from the beginning of the series. I can't bring myself to pick up a series in the middle.
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000015705,00.html
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