Protagonist Smashie and best friend Dontel investigate the class-pet hamster's disappearance, along with a missing brooch and the Mystery of the Mad Gluer. Suspects emerge: a narcissistic substitute teacher, a prankster classmate, and even Smashie herself. Readers could maybe figure out the somewhat convoluted mysteries, but they'll more likely just have fun going with Smashie's flow. Black-and-white illustrations display Smashie's individuality and verve.

Gr 3-6 Meet Smashie McPerter. She's not your average third grade student by any stretch of the imagination. Overly dramatic, extremely independent, and opinionated to a fault, Smashie will endear herself to many readers because she can make even the most outlandish people feel rather normal. Incredibly precocious, Smashie and her friend Dontel often use vocabulary far beyond their years. As a result, the characters do not come across as authentic nine-year-olds, and some readers may find the language challenging. Aside from this, the story is well written and evenly paced, with great supporting characters to root both for and against. The main story centers on trying to solve the mystery of the missing class pet; a plot line most elementary-aged students will find familiar. Readers learn about investigative principles and how to use organization and the process of elimination. A gentle and humorous mystery for younger middle grade readers. Chad Lane, Easton Elementary, Wye Mills, MD