Reviews: School Library Journal, Kirkus Review, Publisher's Weekly, Horn Book, Wilson’s
Sammy Keyes is a feisty 13-year old girl whose mom (“Lady Lana”) left her with her Gram who lives in a seniors-only apartment complex while Lady Lana pursues a career in Hollywood. Because she isn’t supposed to live there, Sammy spends a decent amount of time sneaking in and out or just plain hiding out. Curiosity and boredom lead her to peering at her neighborhood through binoculars from her grandmother’s bedroom window and while doing this she spots what appears to be a robber in the seedy hotel across the way. She later finds that money has been stolen from that very room.
From here on out we are led on an adventure involving psychics, pork bellies, and lots of twists and turns while Sammy tries to solve the mystery of the hotel thief. Sammy has a lot of spunk and a knack for finding mischief. She’s a believable and likable character and her ability to solve the crime when the police and other adults are not make her a great heroine. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment in this mystery series.
Byars, B. (1994). The dark stairs: A Herculeah Jones mystery. New York: Viking.
Genres: Murder, Mystery
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Herculeah Jones is as strong and bold as her name. Endlessly curious, she recruits her hesitant and bumbling neighbor (a kid named Meat) to investigate the old Dead Oaks mansion where an unsolved murder took place long ago. How could she resist being involved? Her father is a police officer, and her mother works as a private eye; solving crimes is in her blood.
Herculeah’s fast-paced adventures include a monstrous man, hidden staircases, narrow escapes, and chilling discoveries. The author entertains her young readers with just the right balance of humor and suspense. For example, Herculeah has a sixth sense: whenever she’s in danger, her hair frizzes out of control. Young readers will enjoy quirky characters and juvenile antics, but also face complex dilemmas like rights vs. responsibility.
Notes:
First of seven books in the Herculeah Jones Mystery Series.
Betsy Byars has won numerous awards for other novels ( not Herculeah Jones), including ALA Notable Books, Booklist Editor’s Choice, a National Book Award, and the 1971 Newbery Medal.