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brandypainter's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I'm very much over Sherlock Holmes adaptations as a whole personally, but at least this one is going to an audience that hasn't been saturated with them. And it's pretty adorable. This is perfect for readers who are still fairly new to MG books. It's short, fast paced, and, while it uses some large vocabulary, is incredibly accessible to many levels of readers. There is always a need for a new, fun mystery series and this has the added bonus of having a diverse cast of characters.
I'm very much over Sherlock Holmes adaptations as a whole personally, but at least this one is going to an audience that hasn't been saturated with them. And it's pretty adorable. This is perfect for readers who are still fairly new to MG books. It's short, fast paced, and, while it uses some large vocabulary, is incredibly accessible to many levels of readers. There is always a need for a new, fun mystery series and this has the added bonus of having a diverse cast of characters.
channywax's review
Cute MG about a girl with Sherlock Holmes talents. My kids will love this and I'll read the sequel for sure.
jennifermreads's review
4.0
John Watson has just moved to 221 Baker Street and guess who lives just upstairs in 221B? Shelby Holmes, precocious neighborhood detective! Watson quickly realizes that, though Shelby may be incredibly smart, she lacks the social skills to tactfully navigate her way through a family wrought with the disappearance of their beloved dog. Watson decides a friend is what Shelby needs and he is just the person to fill the role.
Realizing I wasn’t meeting my “read those middle grade books” goal for the year, I decided this one would fit the bill. And, yes, I admit it. I picked this up because I am a Sherlock Holmes addict! Elizabeth Eulberg does a wonderful job giving nods to the legendary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while also creating a perfect world for the younger set. While this is marketed as middle grade, I’d say that older elementary would enjoy it as well. But have a dictionary at hand: Shelby’s vocabulary is, well, just as precocious as she is!
In addition to a fun mystery that kids will enjoy trying to solve alongside the duo, there are good lessons on friendship as well as a brief look at divorce and the effects on a young child.
I hope this is a start to a series. Shelby is a fun detective and I would enjoy seeing more of her and her partner (yes, Watson, partner!).
Realizing I wasn’t meeting my “read those middle grade books” goal for the year, I decided this one would fit the bill. And, yes, I admit it. I picked this up because I am a Sherlock Holmes addict! Elizabeth Eulberg does a wonderful job giving nods to the legendary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while also creating a perfect world for the younger set. While this is marketed as middle grade, I’d say that older elementary would enjoy it as well. But have a dictionary at hand: Shelby’s vocabulary is, well, just as precocious as she is!
In addition to a fun mystery that kids will enjoy trying to solve alongside the duo, there are good lessons on friendship as well as a brief look at divorce and the effects on a young child.
I hope this is a start to a series. Shelby is a fun detective and I would enjoy seeing more of her and her partner (yes, Watson, partner!).
melbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Trigger warnings: divorce, dognapping, aggressively mediocre parenting, mentions of war
Well this was DELIGHTFUL. The first outing of 9 year old Shelby Holmes and her 11 year old neighbour, John Watson, the story is told - somewhat predictably - from Watson's perspective. What I didn't expect, however, is that Watson would be Black and diabetic. He was also a delightful narrator, having grown up with two parents in the military, bounced around all over the country, constantly having to start over and make friends. Shelby is very much a junior version of her original inspiration - somewhat prickly and often antagonising people yet coming through with the answers very quickly. The mystery was a little silly, but on the whole I had a lot of fun reading this and I'll definitely be picking up the next one!
Well this was DELIGHTFUL. The first outing of 9 year old Shelby Holmes and her 11 year old neighbour, John Watson, the story is told - somewhat predictably - from Watson's perspective. What I didn't expect, however, is that Watson would be Black and diabetic. He was also a delightful narrator, having grown up with two parents in the military, bounced around all over the country, constantly having to start over and make friends. Shelby is very much a junior version of her original inspiration - somewhat prickly and often antagonising people yet coming through with the answers very quickly. The mystery was a little silly, but on the whole I had a lot of fun reading this and I'll definitely be picking up the next one!
foveangel's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chemwiz77's review
3.0
Very cute. It grabbed my 9 year old and me from the first chapter but it was soooooo long and drawn out. It wasn't in the good way where we couldn't wait to find out. I've read my share of mysteries. This one was long even if it had been an adult book. And it wasn't. Cute and we liked the characters so we stuck with it foreverrrrr.
thebookishlibrarian's review
Shelby is nine years old, in 6th grade, and an awesome detective. She meets 11-year-old Watson when he moves in downstairs and they quickly become an epic duo. Shelby and her sidekick Watson take on a dog napper in this new middle grade series by Elizabeth Eulberg.
naomiysl's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A solid mystery story, with a likable and autistic-coded Holmes. I like those things! The vocabulary is a bit of a reach for most kids, so we'll see how it hits with my almost eight year old, but I think she'll enjoy the plot if the vocab doesn't trip her up too much.
berls's review
4.0
I do not read much middle grade - I tend to be YA and up. But this one was strongly recommended and I got a copy for free so why not, right? It's short and will be a fast read.
Glad I went for it. The Great Shelby Homes was seriously cute and I could really see a middle grade reader enjoying it. The characters are relateable and the mystery was fun. Yes, I solved it super fast but I'm an adult reader and the mystery wasn't meant for my age bracket. I think the right age group would have a tougher time solving it, while still being able to, making it that much more fun for them.
Shelby is definitely Gifted and Talented and I love that she came with so many of the, sometimes annoying, eccentricities that can entail. And I loved that John Watson (who goes by Watson due to Shelby renaming him basically) struggled with finding her interesting but annoying, and realizing they could be friends just the same. He saw through some of her eccentricities and saw a girl who didn't have friends but could actually be a good friend. But it took him a minute to get there and to see her overtures of friendship. I thought that made this a particularly good book for kids, hopefully they could learn how to approach friendship with some "annoying" or "weird" kids from John.
I will probably eventually read more of the series. I might even consider reading this series to my Kinders. I don't think it's too advanced for them to understand and relate to -- and it would yield some good discussions about friendship too.
Glad I went for it. The Great Shelby Homes was seriously cute and I could really see a middle grade reader enjoying it. The characters are relateable and the mystery was fun. Yes, I solved it super fast but I'm an adult reader and the mystery wasn't meant for my age bracket. I think the right age group would have a tougher time solving it, while still being able to, making it that much more fun for them.
Shelby is definitely Gifted and Talented and I love that she came with so many of the, sometimes annoying, eccentricities that can entail. And I loved that John Watson (who goes by Watson due to Shelby renaming him basically) struggled with finding her interesting but annoying, and realizing they could be friends just the same. He saw through some of her eccentricities and saw a girl who didn't have friends but could actually be a good friend. But it took him a minute to get there and to see her overtures of friendship. I thought that made this a particularly good book for kids, hopefully they could learn how to approach friendship with some "annoying" or "weird" kids from John.
I will probably eventually read more of the series. I might even consider reading this series to my Kinders. I don't think it's too advanced for them to understand and relate to -- and it would yield some good discussions about friendship too.
rain_baby's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75