THE SPOOKY STORY

A dedicated fact collector and mystery solver eagerly shares her secrets with readers.

In this second in the series, Paige gladly opens her detective notebook and explains her process as she and her friends Karla and Penn solve the mysteries of a haunted music school and a missing baby owl. First, Paige teaches readers to distinguish between fiction and fact (or nonfiction). Paige prefers nonfiction, which, she notes, is rooted in truth and can be confirmed by evidence gathered from reliable sources and through observation. Together, Paige and her pals investigate. Despite the ghostly subject matter, this tale will also induce giggles: Boogers reportedly have been oozing from the bathroom sink, while the halls ring with funny parodies (“The eyes on the bat go round and round…”). The book also serves as a solid introduction to deductive reasoning and the differences between fact and fiction. Even after the trio solve the mysteries, Penn isn’t entirely convinced, and Paige realizes that “Even when you have fully investigated, made clear observations, and proven the facts, some people still come to their own conclusions”—a comment many adult readers will find insightful. Colorful cartoon illustrations are interspersed with excerpts from Paige’s notebook. Paige has a purple ponytail and tan skin, Karla has long, wavy blue hair and tan skin, and Penn has short, dark blue hair and brown skin.

Thoughtful investigation and deduction wrapped in a slightly spooky mystery with a bit of humor.