Gillian Goerz

Jamila dreads being stuck in science camp all summer, and when she meets fellow ten-year-old Shirley Bones at a garage sale, Shirley says she has a solution. Soon, their moms agree: Shirley and Jamila don't have to go to dance camp and science camp, respectively, if they agree to hang out with each other. Jamila gets to play basketball on the neighborhood court, and Shirley gets to run her detective business, helping kids with problems that adults don't recognize or can't or won't help with. show more When a really compelling case - a missing gecko - lands in Shirley's lap, she and Jamila have to decide whether to break their moms' rules to help.

A fun summer story featuring a Sherlock Holmes'-esque kid and a Watson who refuses to be a sidekick - and a satisfyingly surprising resolution that ends in more friendship for everyone involved.

See also: The Endless Game by J.D. Amato

Quotes

"But you've seen for yourself: Kids often have problems that adults can't or won't solve." (Shirley to Jamila, 64)

"It's what the grown-ups say when they don't think the kids are listening. Kids are the best spies, because everyone underestimates what they understand...and remember." (Shirley to Jamila, 96)

"It's fatal to draw conclusion before collecting all of the evidence." (Shirley, 103) show less

Easily one of my favorite books of the year, it’s adorable and smart.

Fantastically illustrated, the characters each had their own style and their emotions came through loud and clear in their expressions. I found myself really noticing and appreciating the backgrounds, too, there’s such a sense of place with the neighborhood and things like the overhead map of the pool.

I very much enjoyed the mystery, I just love how Shirley’s brain works, she’s more than a little brilliant. The show more reveal is so satisfying, too, this isn’t just finding out who done it, you learn why, there’s genuine emotional depth to it.

Maybe most of all, I loved the friendship between Jamila and Shirley, the rough patch they experience was so well written, there’s a moment where Jamila learns more about Shirley and it kind of breaks your heart, but then there’s this wonderful growth from both girls that’ll leave a smile on your face. show less

Oh my goodness, what an absolute delight! Pint-sized Shirley Bones taking advantage of the age-old kid superpower -- the grapevine, and her perfect foil: Jamila -- smart, athletic and adventurous. Love the family dynamics, the way the kids argue for more independence, the way they help each other out and the interesting things that draw friends together. Some of the illustrations are just absolutely breathtaking -- there's something about the light that feels like looking through a window. show more Characters are also wonderfully drawn. show less

The mystery follows 10-year-olds Jamila Waheed and Shirley Bones. The two meet at a yard sale, and learn they both are facing a boring summer spent at camps chosen by their mothers (science camp for Jamila, dance camp for Shirley). Unlikely friends, they formulate a plan. As long as they’re together at the nearby basketball court, basketball enthusiast Jamila can shoot hoops unsupervised while Shirley does her thing. And her thing is engaging in strange undertakings and receiving visits show more from neighborhood kids. Meet Shirley, Sherlock Holmes esk. One day frantic boy asks Shirley to find his missing gecko. She is happy to help because she solves “problems that adults can’t or won’t.” Jamila can’t stand by when someone needs help, and when Shirley’s crime solving proves to be interesting, they both leave the court in pursuit.
I enjoyed the working togetherness of this odd pair. The two are dynamic and strong characters and the case they solve has heart warming results. show less