Friday Barnes: Under Suspicion

Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Friday Barnes is in serious trouble: she has just been arrested on suspicion of terrorism. Luckily, being an experienced detective, Friday is quickly able to prove not only her own innocence but that of a stranger being held at the police station for stealing. This is only the beginning of Friday's latest series of madcap adventures, which include uncovering a case of cheating in a cooking class, solving a kidnapping, and discovering why large holes keep popping up all over the school grounds. As with the first book in the series, this novel's key strengths are its offbeat situations and persistent humor. Spratt's tongue-in-cheek portrayals of the lazy teachers, spoiled students, and petty administrators at the elite Highcrest Academy are often hilarious, as are the obscure facts and observations Friday employs to solve each mystery. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed, and the cliffhanger at the end will leave them anxious for the next installment.