Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11

Protagonist Smashie and best friend Dontel investigate the class-pet hamster's disappearance, along with a missing brooch and the Mystery of the Mad Gluer. Suspects emerge: a narcissistic substitute teacher, a prankster classmate, and even Smashie herself. Readers could maybe figure out the somewhat convoluted mysteries, but they'll more likely just have fun going with Smashie's flow. Black-and-white illustrations display Smashie's individuality and verve.

Griffin takes a breather from heavy drama (her debut was the YA novel The Whole Stupid Way We Are, rev. 7/13: "Hand it to those who like their tearjerkers realistic and unrelenting") with this light, entertaining middle-grade mystery. Protagonist Smashie (why is she named that? We don't know) and her best friend Dontel investigate the disappearance of class-pet hamster Patches. This is on top of a missing kangaroo-shaped brooch belonging to a teacher and the Mystery of the Mad Gluer -- someone in Room 11 is gluing people to various items, including a ruler, a balaclava helmet, and the floor. Some strong suspects emerge: a narcissistic substitute teacher, a classmate known for playing pranks, and even Smashie herself, whose feelings for Patches are…complicated (for one thing, she's scared of his feet). Readers could maybe figure out the somewhat convoluted mysteries, but they'll more likely just have fun going with Smashie's flow -- her custom-made outfits ("Investigation Suit," "Distracting-Adults-from-Messes Suit"), shaky logic ("A little soft creature should have little soft feet!"), wrongheaded accusations, and triumphant redemption. Black-and-white illustrations throughout display Smashie's individuality and verve; the one with the pillow on her head, standing in for a barrister's wig, pretty much says it all. elissa gershowitz