Mystery on Magnolia Circle

Ivy is ten when she falls and breaks her leg just as summer is beginning. She has to wear a cast from her hip to her ankle and needs to use either a wheelchair or crutches for almost the entire summer break. Even her best friend Teddy can’t cheer her up. His beloved dog had just died, and he is so sad. When Ivy spots what might be a burglary from her window, summer gets more interesting. Teddy tells Ivy that a burglary took place in his building, and Ivy decides they need to solve the mystery. Things get even more interesting when they find out there has been another similar burglary in town, and Ivy has reason to believe one of her classmates might be involved.

Kate Klise has written a really fun and exciting book for the younger middle-grade set with this tip of the hat to Hitchcock’s Rear Window. The dialogue is believable and snappy, the characters are fully formed, and the story is compelling. Occasional cute illustrations by Celia Krampien will help young readers keep those pages turning. This is a well-written book that will help youngsters make the transition from chapter books to novels.