Who Stole New Year's Eve?

January 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Alex and Yasmeen are back. New Year's Day is around the corner, and so is the Ice Carnival. As the College Springs festival grows closer, however, someone steals all of the ice sculptures intended for the event. Around the same time, a new girl, Eva, moves into town and drives a wedge between Alex and his friend, Yasmeen. As an amateur detective and son of one of the town's police investigators, Alex feels obligated to solve the mystery, but can he do so without Yasmeen? Eve and another girl, Sophie, try to help him, but it isn't quite the same. The characters are a little underdeveloped, but the fast-paced plot will engage children. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the humor and interesting clues that unfold. Fans of the series, and kids who like mysteries, friendship stories, and realistic fiction will enjoy this book.-Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2013
When all the ice sculptures intended for the town's annual Ice Carnival are stolen, eleven-year-old Alex Parakeet and the rest of the kid sleuths on Chickadee Court follow clues (water containing volatile chemicals; a dog that doesn't bark) to solve the case. Adding even more interest is Alex's newly complicated personal life, as best friend Yasmeen is threatened by Alex's friendship with newcomer Eveand Alex realizes that the mystery of girls is one he can't as easily solve. This fifth mystery in the series is solid and satisfying, set against a background of holiday celebrations and enhanced with much humor and intrigue. martha v. parravano

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2014
When all the ice sculptures intended for the town's annual Ice Carnival are stolen, eleven-year-old Alex Parakeet and his sleuth friends follow clues (water containing volatile chemicals; a dog that doesn't bark) to solve the case. This fifth series mystery is solid and satisfying, set against a background of holiday celebrations and enhanced with much humor and intrigue.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)