Kristin L. Gray

This is a classic whodunit wrapped in kid friendly packaging and served up with a healthy dose of girl power! I loved the fact that the mostly female cast showed the roles women have in society and how even now, there are differences sometimes in how they are treated, respected, and/or looked to, while reinforcing that the JUST BE YOU philosophy is truly the only way to go. If you like cubing, like cubing. If you like scientific exploration, then like it. If you want to breach the new frontier, grow the most beautiful flowers, tinker with gizmos and gadgets, do it! The world is your oyster and no one can tell you what you can or cannot be. It's a great message for any age, but especially the youngsters this Middle Grade release is intended for, and quite honestly, it's done rather well!

Really...it sneaks in while you're busy getting to know the characters, for better or worse. It makes itself at home as the mystery starts to unfold and skills are put to the test from problem solving to engineering. It reveals itself slowly as all the clues start to come together and the moment of truth arrives...even as the BIG TWIST happens and it looks like lights out (again!) for the whole crew...keeping you on your toes and those brain cells firing! It's a great combination of story, skills, and heart that'll leave you with the warm fuzzies, but also a curiosity that might need to be slaked about SO MANY things, and that invitation to explore more, never hurt anyone.… (mer)