Mystery of the Missing Luck. (Orca Echoes). Jacqueline Pearce. Illustrated by Leanne Franson. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2011. 61 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-396-2. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by Barb Taylor. ****/4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

In her fourth novel, Mystery of the Missing Luck, Jacqueline Pearce gives young readers a gentle, interesting tale of a young girl as she delves into the mystery of a missing cat. The cat is actually a lucky cat statue, “Maneki Neko,” that graced the window of her Japanese-Canadian grandmother’s bakery.

     The grandmother’s bakery has fallen on hard times, and Sara, the main character, thinks the return of the cat statue may be the answer to her grandmother’s problems.

     The grandmother’s bakery has fallen on hard times, and Sara, the main character, thinks the return of the cat statue may be the answer to her grandmother’s problems.

     “No!” Sara said. “You’re not old, Obaachan!”

     Obaachan smiled. “Maybe not so old,” she said. “But I can’t keep baking if there are no customers to bake for.”


     Along with elements of mystery and hints of magical happenings, young readers will enjoy the close relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter. Sara’s school chum, Jake, helps her in her search while discovering and enjoying the delightful pastries and buns Sara’s grandmother bakes for her customers.

     Mystery of the Missing Luck is fast paced and easy to read for a younger audience, without compromising on the mystery, suspense and relationships that make this a successful story.

     The pen and ink illustrations by Leanne Franson capture the emotions and pace of the story in an appealing manga-style.

     I would recommend this book as a first chapter book or a read-aloud book for young students.

Highly Recommended.

A resident of Black Diamond, AB, Barb Taylor is an elementary school teacher-librarian and freelance travel writer.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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