The Case of Maker Mischief. (West Meadows Detectives 2). Liam O’Donnell. Illustrated by Aurélie Grand. Toronto, ON: Owlkids, 2016. 134 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-1-77147-070-4. Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9. Review by Andrea Boyd. *** /4

excerpt:

I dived under the table and crawled to the edge of the maker space. My plan was to pop up behind Ms. Fay and Harjah. But I didn’t pop. I stopped. Something was taped to the underside of one of the tables. It was a piece of paper. I pulled it free.

Lines on the paper formed a box and circles. Arrows showed how the shapes all fit together. Across the top it read “Robson the Robot, by Jordan and Glitch.” It was Jordan’s missing robot plans!

Whoever stole them must have hidden them under their table. I scrambled out and checked. The work area was labeled “Lionel Aram.”

I had found more than the missing robot plans. I had found another suspect.

Myron Matthews and his detective partner, Hajrah, are the best detectives in town. When their classmate’s robot gets stolen, Myron and Hajrah are hired to get it back. Robson the Robot was created for the Maker Faire competition, which was only days away. Myron and Hajrah are set on solving this mystery in time for the robot to compete.

     The suspenseful story is intriguing as clues lead to multiple suspects along the way. The Case of Maker Mischief would be a superb tool to teach students to make predictions as they read. With new clues consistently being revealed, this gripping chapter book with a surprise ending is one that children will not want to put down.

     It is briefly mentioned in the book that the main character, Myron, has autism. Throughout the story, challenges associated with his medical condition are unveiled which lends a diverse lens to the reader who may or may not be able to identify with the character. Regardless, the reader learns that, although solving the mystery requires more effort at times for Myron than it does for his detective partner, he is still able to successfully do what it takes to crack the case.

     Award-winning author and educator Liam O’Donnell made this book relevant for students in today’s modern education system. Maker spaces and computer coding are becoming rampant in schools across North America.

     Illustrations by Aurélie Grand are scattered throughout the book to showcase the story setting as well as the characters.

Recommended.

Andrea Boyd is an early years educator who recently graduated from the University of Manitoba. She currently teaches Grade 4 in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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