The Case of the Poached Egg (A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery #2)
by Robin Newman; Illustrated by Deborah Zemke
Creston Books (April 2, 2017)
Audience: Ages 6 to 8
Fiction * Mystery * Reader
Indiebound | WorldCat
Description from GoodReads:
When Penny goes missing from the nest, Wilcox and Griswold are called in to track her down. Was the egg stolen by a rival for The Most Round in the Spring Egg-stravaganza? Was she used in a carrot cake or scrambled by a hungry porker? Or was she held for a hefty corn ransom? Who took Penny and can the detectives find her before trouble hatches?
Thoughts about the book:
The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake was the first book I read by Robin Newman and I was impressed with her ability to create mystery with sophisticated humor for young readers and yet do it in a way that was completely accessible. I have been eager to read the second book in the Wilcox & Griswold series and Newman didn't let me down.
It is not easy writing for six to eight year olds. There is a huge range in reading abilities at this age. Yet, Newman has created a mystery with great kid appeal, and perfect for the more advanced reader who may not quite be ready for longer length of book. Newman's Wilcox & Griswold books also make for an entertaining read aloud that will hook children in and keep them engaged.
If you haven't picked up a Wilcox & Griswold book, check one out of your local library or pick one up at your community bookstore.
Thank you Robin for sharing some swag with our students. They were excited about the bookmarks and rubber wristband.
Mrs. Banerdt, our school librarian, read The Case of the Poached Egg by Robin Newman to several classes of enthusiastic second grade students.
Mrs. Banerdt shared with me the response of the students to The Case of the Poached Egg:
Students caught the humor of the book and started using phrases such as "Eggscuse me Ms. Banerdt" and "Eggscellent book!".
Some other comments from second graders included:
"We have chickens and we get lots of eggs and I really liked the chickens and the puns. Also I like mysteries and jokes."
"I love jokes and puns, I love mysteries."
"It's funny, it's a mystery, and it's short." (Meaning it is easily manageable for a second grader.)
"I like the cheesy jokes." (This was definitely a compliment.)
The students really did enjoyed the puns, even though some went unrecognized. Though the students were not familiar the saying, "mad as an old wet hen", they still caught the humor of the phrase.
There is a wait to check out the book so if you pick up copies for your classroom or school library consider picking up more than one copy.
About Robin Newman:
Raised in New York and Paris, Robin is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She's been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks. She lives in New York with her husband, son, goldfish, and English Cocker Spaniel, who happens to have been born on the Fourth of July.
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