(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Warren Chang. The boy detective solves ten cases, including identifying a fake umpire, recovering stolen jewelry, and clearing himself in the murder of a racing cockroach. Solutions to the mysteries are found at the back of the book and range from obscure to clever to apparent, giving every reader a chance to solve some. The young sleuth's clever repartee enlivens the text, which is illustrated with pencil drawings.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) 4-6 Ola isn't happy about moving from her urban black neighborhood to a "cooperative community" in a white suburb. But the disgruntled senior citizens in her lifeless new neighborhood quickly recruit Ola to organize the local kids and convince them to join in stretching (and breaking) the community's more ridiculous rules. The story will attract readers with its humor and trouble-making agitator-protagonist.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Warren Chang. This latest batch of cases finds "America's crime-buster in sneakers" Encyclopedia Brown and pal Sally Kimball protecting the kids of Idaville from longtime foes Bugs Meany and Wilford Wiggins, as well as other would-be criminals. The brief, entertaining mysteries include a few not-so-obvious clues, but readers will enjoy guessing before reading the solutions. Pencil drawings illustrate the text.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger