Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, the 44 Scotland Street series, and the Corduroy Mansions series. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and lives in Scotland, where in his spare time he is a bassoonist in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra).
“A detective is born! What a delightful, breezy read!"
—Mary Pope Osborne, bestselling author of
The Magic Tree House series
“Told with an innocence that will captivate young readers, The
Great Cake Mystery is a kind-hearted, feel-good story for all.
Loved it!”
—Graham Salisbury, author of Under the
Blood-Red Sun and the Calvin Coconut series
“Kids will love this kind and clever new detective. They’ll love
the mystery, and they might even love the thieves. I look forward
to more!”
—Patricia Reilly Giff, award-winning
author of Wild Girl and other books
“Good for kids who like mysteries and stories about other cultures
and friendship all packed into one.” —TIME for Kids magazine
“Stunning artwork. . . . A compelling plot and interesting
secondary characters, especially classmates who are quick to make
unfounded accusations and their teacher, who provides wisdom just
when it is needed, will leave readers wanting more. One case where
an adaptation from an adult book is as much fun to read as the
original.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“This mini mystery and its jaw-dropping illustrations will please
proto-detectives, both large and small. . . . What [McCall Smith]’s
done with The Great Cake Mystery is unique. . . . His fans will
pluck it up like so many of his other books. . . . A really fun
read.”
—School Library Journal
"Bold and striking, McIntosh’s chunky, two-color woodcutlike
pictures present evocative images of the African setting. This is a
story, and a heroine, with impressive dimension."
- Publishers Weekly, starred
review
Gr 1-3-Young readers are introduced to Precious Ramotswe, a young sleuth in Botswana, in this prequel to the adult series "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (Pantheon). Trouble occurs when tasty treats disappear in her school. When word gets out, Precious is on the case. Observant readers will find the biggest clue to solving the mystery on the front cover. Primitive in nature and using only red, brown, and black on cream paper, the illustrations are minimal and the characters appear to be adults rather than children. The story is predictable and unlikely to have beginning chapter book readers awaiting Precious's next case.-Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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