From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
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Group Discussions About This Book
What Members Thought
An outstanding mystery filled with history, family, and friendships.
Terrific. Can't wait to write more about it closer to the pub date.
...more
An homage to The Westing Game with historical context that adds a lot of depth. I liked that the plot shifted between the present-day when Candice and Brandon are trying to solve the mystery and the past events on which the mystery is based in the 1950s. Young readers will learn a lot about American history and segregation while also considering the prejudices that still run rampant today.
I thought the plotting could have been tighter and that the kids could've gotten to the puzzle-solving earl ...more
I thought the plotting could have been tighter and that the kids could've gotten to the puzzle-solving earl ...more
Two kids investigate a mystery set in their town. Complex stories told over three generations. Lots of characters, flashbacks, subplots, making this a tough read for some middle grade readers. It addresses mulitple issues including divorce, homosexuality, bullying. My Mock Newbery group thinks this one has a chance. After last year, I have no idea how to predict.
I'm not a big mystery reader, so I drug my heels a bit at the beginning of the book. What pulled me in and kept me were the characters, and the way Varian Johnson weaves both historical and current contexts into the story.
I definitely have to read The Westing Game now... ...more
I definitely have to read The Westing Game now... ...more
A great puzzle-mystery set in the present day, with historical flashbacks filling in more details. Lots of layers of past and present racial tensions and injustice that are integral to the story and solving the mystery. Definitely recommended.
A fabulous narrative spanning generations. Nuanced exploration of family, race, and gender packed in a story with great characters.
Apr 11, 2018
Kristy
marked it as to-read
May 24, 2018
Astrid Lim
marked it as wishlist
May 28, 2018
Sarita
marked it as to-read
Aug 20, 2018
Ellen
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
historicalfiction,
childrensfiction,
mysteries,
familyissues,
lgbtq,
social-problems,
friendship
Aug 26, 2018
Ellen
marked it as to-read
Jan 15, 2019
Michelle
marked it as to-read
