SHELBY NOT SHERLOCK

The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg is another fun twist on the Sherlock Holmes craze.  Only this time the great genius detective is a young girl and Watson is the new neighbor living with his single mom in the same New York apartment building.  Shelby is years younger than any other sixth grader but John, being new and it's summer, has no choice but to befriend this strange girl.

Her reputation in the neighborhood is that of a great problem solver, everyone knows her, she knows everyone AND she's a know it all. When a classmate pulls up in a chauffeured car and asks Shelby to help find her missing dog, John Watson jumps in as well because no matter how odd she is, she is one interesting kid and it is bound to lead to some great excitement.  

For readers in 4th- 6th grades. 

THE CASE OF SQUIRREL'S STOLEN NUTS

Frog is a detective who lives at the police station deep in the forest. He is wise and patient but Squirrel is the opposite right now because someone has stolen his nuts.  When Mouse is caught and admits to stealing just one nut because she was very hungry, Frog realizes there is still another nut thief still out there.  

The First Case by Ulf Nilsson is a very sweet and gentle detective story set in a wintery forest that's great for beginning chapter book readers. For readers in grades 2-4.