Bad Kitty

Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe young adult fiction This is NOT "Bad Kitty" by Nick Bruel. True Confessions time: I accidentally checked out this book and its sequel when I thought I was getting on hold for some books by Nick Bruel. Nick Bruel writes silly, illustrated cat books for elementary school readers. I accidentally read book 2 before this book (1). In this book we are introduced to ultra-hip Jasmine, teenage detective, and her crime solving friends. Jaz and family vacation in Las Vegas where she (literally) stumbles onto a mystery. Who is terrorizing a celebrity, her son, and their three legged cat? Can they trust the Russian and the bartender? Wacky fun ensues. This book is full of cultural references, contemporary language, and slang. If someone were to try to read this 50 years from now, they would have a hard time following all the references. Even someone reading it today may not be immersed enough in "teenspeak" to understand all the references. Good thing the author gives us some footnotes on many pages.

Kitty Kitty

Kitty Kitty by Michele Jaffe Young Adult Mystery Jasmine is the coolest, hippest teen around. She is a modern day Nancy Drew, except when she is stuck wearing a squirrel costume in Italy. This is a hilarious, smart-alecky book filled with today's slang, instant messaging, etc. Since I am not a young adult, it took me a while to get some of her put-downs. Did I mention that cats absolutely adore her? This is probably a good book for a reluctant reader as the 17 year old character is full of angst against her father, fashion conscious, and perky.

Clue of the Dancing Puppet

Clue of the Dancing Puppet
Nancy Drew Number 39
by
Carolyn Keene
children's fiction,
grades 2-5

I picked up a copy of a Nancy Drew book on an impulse at a thrift store. Out of nostalgia I decided to read one again. It was number 39 in the original series and all of the Nancy Drew favorites were in it - Ned, the boyfriend, George and Bess, best friends, Mr. Drew, the lawyer, and the housekeeper, Hannah.
In this book Nancy and the girls are staying with a summer theatre troop. Someone is trying to scare the cast and crew away with a dancing marionette and spooky telephone calls. Nancy and friends get conked on the head, rammed in Nancy's convertible, and more. It's a wonder Mr. Drew lets Nancy go on with the show!
I can't help but think that a dancing ballerina puppet is not very scary, but other parts of the book are - like the jewel thieves!