ELVIS & OLIVE: SUPER DETECTIVES

In this sweetly compassionate sequel to Elvis & Olive (2009), Natalie (perceptive, artistic, steadfast; code-named Olive) and Annie (impulsive, imaginative, insightful; code-named Elvis) continue their mismatched, charmingly complementary friendship. Natalie yearns to be elected Student Council Secretary, hoping to run the school store and get close to seventh-grade neighbor Steven, her crush for three years running. Annie’s heart’s desire is to find her mother, the one who left her with a neglectful uncle the summer before. The Elvis and Olive detective agency (born of a community-service prerequisite for Student Council candidates at Natalie’s school) manages to solve several small mysteries and make a difference in the lives of more than a few neighbors. According to neighbor Virginia Brooks—the former TV sleuth Miss Dimesworth—a detective’s primary tool is to ask questions—an empowering idea for middle schoolers. The girls discover that truly winning often looks different than imagined. Watson’s lightly poetic prose contributes to an overall sense of goodwill and abundant imagination. Fresh and affecting. (Fiction. 9-12)