Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-After watching an example of film noir with her mother, Bean immediately identifies with the hard-boiled detective star. She dons a hat, sets up a P.I. office and tries to talk without moving her lips, determined to solve a mystery on Pancake Court. Unfortunately, mysteries are hard to come by in her suburban neighborhood. so Bean practices on simple mysteries like "The Mystery of What's Under the Cement Rectangle" and "The Mystery of the Sleeping Mailman." Most of Bean's friends ridicule her newfound career, but not Ivy. Once again, in spite of their differences, Ivy and Bean join forces. They will most definitely solve the neighborhood's biggest mystery to date: "The Mystery of the Yellow Rope." Barrows provides a good introduction to mysteries for children who are beginning to read chapter books. In this 10th book (Chronicle, 2013) in the series, Barrows's knack for appreciating the young child's way of looking at the world is evident in her descriptive details. The story's humor will appeal to intergenerational listeners. Cassandra Morris's narration is flawless with perfect pacing for the early reader. With multiple prediction points that could be used in the classroom, this audiobook deserves a listen by your early reader.-Terri Perper, Middletown Public Library, MD (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
After watching a black-and-white movie featuring a tough-talking private investigator, Bean decides to solve some mysteries. She and Ivy start with The Mystery of Whats Under the Cement Rectangle in everyones front yard (slime and a machine with a dial), then move on to why the mailman always naps in his truck (his baby cries all night long), and, finally, what the Tengs have behind their tall fence (a garden). The other kids on Pancake Court become less impressed with each case, but just in the nick of time a mysterious yellow rope appears, one end tied around the chimney on Dinos house, the other end sitting on his front lawn. Whodunit? No one knows, and on the following nights, someone adds more rope and drapes it further around the street. The intrepid girls are ultimately unable to solve the case but decide they like having a mystery in their midst. Ivy and Bean enjoy imagining that an alien (or a gnome or a rabbit) is behind the rope tricks, as will many young readers. For those kids dissatisfied with the open ending, adults might nudge them toward the likely culpritJake the teenager, whose large shopping bag and slight smile as he walks past Beans front-lawn office are more than a little mysterious. Its no mystery, though, why these early chapter books continue to please: cleverly entertaining stories, and illustrations to match. jennifer m. brabander (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The intrigue swirls thick 'round Pancake Court. Inspired by a black-and-white movie her mother watches with her even though it's not on the list of 10 movies without mean people, smoking, bad words and tiny clothes, Bean goes into the PI business. Donning an old fedora, in no time she attracts the attention of the other neighborhood children, including best friend Ivy. Bean solves a couple of mysteries--what's under the cement lids in all the lawns, why the letter carrier takes a two-hour nap every day--but the kids are not particularly impressed. Then a real mystery arises: A bright yellow rope appears, tied around Dino's chimney and trailing onto his lawn. Incredibly, each day it lengthens, sprawling around the cul-de-sac and evidently evading the notice of every adult there. Bean's reputation is at stake. Her efforts to nab Mr. Whoever-ties-the-rope involve lots of shared speculation and a midnight stakeout with loyal Ivybut no perp. As always, Barrows' keen understanding of children yields scenarios that are right on the money: Bean cheerfully watches her mother's favorite noir classic and gleans only the details her mother would rather she not have noticed; she sets and resets a kitchen timer four times in order to wake up at midnight. And her nonsolution results in a conclusion that will madden adults but that is wisely, perfectly childlike. Only a stooge couldn't love Ivy and Bean. (Fiction. 6-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
