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arundlestl's review against another edition
2.0
I'm glad I read this book because it's useful for a CSI for kids program I'm doing this summer. I don't know why these books didn't come out 10 years ago, when CSI first aired. The characters are stereotypical middle school kids: bully, jock, nerd, ballerina. Three students are learning about forensics in their science class, so when the school is sick from the lunch they form a club to find out what happened.
The science teacher, Miss Hodges, says her cousin is a CSI in Las Vegas. That's the only connection to the show; she never talks about Hodges and he is never a character in the book.
My 11 year old would probably read this book and think it was good because he is a huge fan of the shows. Other kids who are at the reading level probably aren't allowed to watch CSI because of the death and whatnot.
A side note: the author kept using the phrase "the three friends" which distracted and irritated me.
The science teacher, Miss Hodges, says her cousin is a CSI in Las Vegas. That's the only connection to the show; she never talks about Hodges and he is never a character in the book.
My 11 year old would probably read this book and think it was good because he is a huge fan of the shows. Other kids who are at the reading level probably aren't allowed to watch CSI because of the death and whatnot.
A side note: the author kept using the phrase "the three friends" which distracted and irritated me.
artichokesandarmidillos's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
whipcreamsucks's review against another edition
Dug this up from a drawer in my desk-- and now I remember I only bought this so I could receive the free Crime Scene kit that came with it at the Scholastic Book Fair lmao. It's a readable story is all. Pretty solid set-up.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
2.0
The Case of the Mystery Meat Loaf is the first book in a new middle grade paperback series which is tangentially related to the CSI television franchise. Woodlands Junior High students Hannah, Ben, and Corey are expecting to begin Earth Science on the first day of school, but when the earth science teacher retires, it is Miss Hodges, cousin of David Hodges from the CSI TV show, who steps in, and the focus of her class is on forensic science. Hannah, Ben, and Corey take to the field of forensics immediately, and they decide to form a school club based on their mutual interest. What they don’t count on, however, is that they will actually be called upon to solve a real case, which is exactly what happens after students and members of the faculty get sick after eating cafeteria meatloaf.
The connection between this book and the TV series is tenuous, probably because the target audience for the book isn’t very likely to watch CSI, and therefore might not understand any direct references to happenings on the show. This fact does call into question the need for a spin-off children’s series in the first place, but that issue doesn’t really influence my opinion of this book one way or the other.
The story is definitely plot-driven, to the point that the characters come across as flat talking heads with only the vaguest personalities. The scientific information is interesting, and solving the mystery provides at least a slightly entertaining vehicle for imparting knowledge of forensics to the reader. The mystery is not completely predictable, but it’s still possible that a careful, smart reader could put the clues together and figure it all out. The writing style is straightforward, with no frills and not much artistry. It’s almost all telling and no showing, which might appeal to a certain kind of reader but definitely bored me.
This series is unique in the sense that it focuses on an area of study few other middle grade books deal with, but the writing and characterization are pretty run-of-the-mill, which might keep it from catching on with many kids. Save it for readers who like the modern-day Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries, as well as budding sleuths who have exhausted the Encyclopedia Brown books.
The connection between this book and the TV series is tenuous, probably because the target audience for the book isn’t very likely to watch CSI, and therefore might not understand any direct references to happenings on the show. This fact does call into question the need for a spin-off children’s series in the first place, but that issue doesn’t really influence my opinion of this book one way or the other.
The story is definitely plot-driven, to the point that the characters come across as flat talking heads with only the vaguest personalities. The scientific information is interesting, and solving the mystery provides at least a slightly entertaining vehicle for imparting knowledge of forensics to the reader. The mystery is not completely predictable, but it’s still possible that a careful, smart reader could put the clues together and figure it all out. The writing style is straightforward, with no frills and not much artistry. It’s almost all telling and no showing, which might appeal to a certain kind of reader but definitely bored me.
This series is unique in the sense that it focuses on an area of study few other middle grade books deal with, but the writing and characterization are pretty run-of-the-mill, which might keep it from catching on with many kids. Save it for readers who like the modern-day Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries, as well as budding sleuths who have exhausted the Encyclopedia Brown books.
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