Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

Starred Review In the first intriguing volume in an ambitious new series, Peacock  imagines Sherlock Holmes' youth and his entrée into crime solving. In 1867 London, 13-year-old loner Sherlock lives in poverty, more interested in watching people and reading crime blotters than attending school. His curiosity is piqued when an Arab youth insists he has been wrongly arrested for a vicious murder. Sherlock's search for the truth leads him into a shadowy, vividly described London, where he encounters both allies and enemies, and brings unforeseen tragedy to those he holds dear. Creative references to Doyle's characters abound erlock's brave, new friend, Irene, is the daughter of one Andrew C. Doyle d Sherlock himself is cleverly interpreted. Peacock casts him as a half-Jewish victim of prejudice, whose struggles between head and heart and justice and vengeance make him both fascinating and complex, at the same time providing a credible rationale for the skill, ego, stoicism, and penchant for disguises so familiar in Doyle's iconic adult detective. Information about Doyle's creation would have enriched this story, and young people familiar with Holmes canon will best appreciate Peacock's rifs; but plenty of readers will like the smart, young detective they find here, and find themselves irresistibly drawn into his thrilling adventures.

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 5-9-Solitary and brooding, 13-year-old Sherlock Holmes prefers observing street life in 1860s London to attending school, and is skilled at appraising people. He's frustrated by his family's strained financial circumstances and the social prejudice that limits his future. His mother, once a wealthy socialite, married a poor Jewish scholar and was disowned by her parents. His brilliant father has been forced to take a job training birds at The Crystal Palace, and his urging Sherlock to become whatever he wishes seems hollow. The boy becomes obsessed with a gruesome murder, an interest that eventually lands him in jail as an accomplice to the primary suspect. There, he's visited by Irene Doyle, a young philanthropist who becomes his crime-solving partner. To prove his innocence, Sherlock makes a daring escape and sets about solving the crime. The details of the plot are plausible, the pacing well timed, and the historical setting vividly depicted. Past advice from Sherlock's father steers his thinking as he gathers clues and employs deductive processes. The titular crow comes fascinatingly into play, as Sherlock imagines himself as one of the birds that were the only witnesses to the crime. Inspector Lestrade and his son are introduced, as is Malefactor, a gang leader with a mysterious past who is Sherlock's intellectual equal and worthy opponent. On balance, the characters enrich the book and help give Holmes's storied abilities credence. The tragic death of his mother paves the way for his future pursuit of justice.-Sheila Fiscus, Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, PA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

When the Olivers find a newborn on their doorstep, they're delighted. He's like all other babies--"Except for the fur. The tail. The pointy teeth. And the purple horns." Monster Olly is very smart and grows quickly, but he must learn how to interact with his much smaller friends. Playful watercolor illustrations add zest to this story about self-acceptance.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Thirteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes spends much of his time reading the sensational newspapers of Victorian London. He is so intrigued by the murder of an actress that his persistent curiosity ends up making him a suspect in the case. Young Holmes finds himself on the lam trying to find the real murderer before an innocent boy is hanged and Holmes himself forever implicated. With the help of his amazing skills of observation and brilliant reasoning, plus a few interesting allies, Holmes solves his first case. Peacock creates a fascinating, plausible history for the most famous detective in literature. Young Holmes's skills are not as refined and he lacks the confidence of his adult literary counterpart, making the character presented in this book very believable as the adolescent version of the brilliant sleuth. Fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works will appreciate the appearance of characters such as Inspector Lestrade and ponder the significance of a few others. Is Young Holmes' friend Irene Doyle destined to reappear in his life? Are the Trafalgar Square Irregulars forerunners of the Baker Street Irregulars who often assist the adult Holmes? The period detail is thorough and provides a rich reading experience without overwhelming the plot. The detailed map of Victorian London is a nice inclusion. There are points in the action where the boundaries of credibility are stretched, but overall it is an excellent mystery that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next title in The Boy Sherlock Holmes series.-Heather Pittman.