By James Ponti
I love the James Ponti “City Spies” series. Kids love them. I’ve witnessed readers fall in love with these adventure-filled mysteries over and over again. And currently, there are six books in the series, with a movie in the works.
Meet four young people who decide to form their own detective agency, and by the way, their last name is ’Sherlock’. After receiving some insight and intel from their grandfather, a former investigative reporter, they decide to attempt to find a huge stash of cash, left behind by Al Capone in their home state of Florida. Along the way, they stumble upon other criminal activity. Not only do these young people listen to TED talks, but they are filmmakers, collaborators, inventive, gutsy, and brave.
I was totally hooked on page 1. However, I have to admit I can be a bit of a nerd when it comes to reading…. We are longtime Iowa Hawkeye fans, and whenever the Indiana Fever is playing, with Caitlin Clark making magic, watching the game is a non-negotiable. However, I was in the middle of reading The Sherlock Society and found myself reading during some of the game…or at least during the commercials! It is one of those books that you’ll want to have with you 24/7 because you cannot put it down.
I especially loved “Grandpa” who is part of the Sherlock Society, as their Director of Transportation and Logistics. He drives 1964 Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible named Roberta. He teaches the kids how to approach mysteries with the 5 W’s, doing investigative research, and of course, taking notes in their spiral-bound reporter notebooks. They just keep digging, using internet tools, video footage, drones, and ‘Google’ to catch the criminal!
Not only do you feel like you’re in the middle of the Florida everglades, with danger lurking at every turn, but you’re with a team of young people who are creative, determined, talented, and bright!
Sherlock Society is a Grand Slam!
KEY QUOTES:
- page 72 – “Someone once told me that information only goes from trivial to significant when you add the meaning behind those facts.”
- page 49 – “It was about standing out instead of fitting in. Beng bold and breaking new ground. That’s what we’ll be doing.”
- page 190 – “Do what’s right, not easy.”
ALSO….
I especially loved the meaning behind the car’s name of ROBERTA!
You’ll have to read the book to hear the story.