The Problem Child

The Problem Child is the third book in the Sister's Grimm Series. The story continues with the girls believing that they have lost their Grandmother's dear friend Mr. Canis. The children are introduced to a new family member who has intimate knowledge of the challenges they face and helps Sabrina understand her own personal issues.

Puck's entertaining character disappears early in this book and he and Sabrina's relationship will need to await the future books for progress.

Prince Charming is facing a tough political campaign from the Queen of Hearts. His reign as mayor is at risk because of his reluctant support of the Grimms. The outcome of the race will have an impact on the future of Ferryport Landing.

The Grimms learn more about Red Riding Hood's twisted involvement in the Red Hand and there is more to the story than they believed.

Buckley introduces the sisters to more interesting characters during their adventures. Daphne learns the Little Mermaid is nothing like the movie. The Jabberwocky terrorizes the children as they struggle to find a weapon that can defeat it. Sabrina realizes the danger of crossing Baba Yaga.

While some series lose their appeal and strength as the series continues, Buckley has to balance mystery and humor in his Sisters Grimm novels. I have the Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, Book 4) on reserve at the library. I am looking forward to continuing to review this series.

The Unusual Suspects

The Unusual Suspects is the second book in the Sister Grimm series.

Things are starting to heat up in Ferryport Landing. Sabrina and Daphne are forced to return to school despite the kidnapping of their parents and they are removed from their grandmother's care by a mysterious social worker. While settling into school the detectives are called to action when one of the teachers is killed.

The author set up a cast of characters that are expected to be a part of the Red Hand's plot. However as the plot unfolds there are more twists than expected. The detectives are not the only ones who will want to review their children's fairytales and literature to keep up with the plot twists.

We have mixtures of Wonderland, Hans Christian Anderson, along with the Grimm’s characters we have come to expect from Ferryport landing. Buckley ends the story with a cliffhanger leaving readers wanting to grab the next novel to discover the fate of the detectives, their friends, and family. I have The Problem Child (The Sisters Grimm, Book 3) on reserve at the library so I will have to wait until it comes in to discover their fate.

Key to the Treasure

Peggy Parish is best known for her Amelia Bedelia series. However, she also wrote a less well known series of mystery chapter books for children that are often forgotten.

Key to the Treasure (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)is the first in a series of mysteries about three children, Liza, Bill, and Jed. The first book is the best in the series.

The book starts with the children on an annual summer visit to their grandparents. The story combines the children's summer adventures with their search to solve the mystery. The mystery surrounds a story that grandfather has told them every summer about a treasure hunt left by a relative headed off to the Civil War. The first clue is lost and the treasure is never found. Generations of children have hunted, but never located the treasure. An accident provides the children with a chance no previous hunters have had in the quest.

I have had great luck getting reluctant readers engaged in this book. The book is a great independent read as well as a read aloud. It is a great chance to discuss prediction, setting, and characters.

Additional books in the series include:

Clues in the Woods (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)

The Haunted House (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)

Pirate Island Adventure (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)

The Mystery of Hermit Dan (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)


The Ghosts of Cougar Island (Liza, Bill & Jed Mysteries)