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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
Picked this book up as Orca is so popular at my school and I don't have this one. Must admit I've not read a lot of Orca series books so this was my second.
Overall it was good. Not great but good. Storyline is easy to follow but does have a few gaps. Characters are developed enough to be engaging. Plot was quality.
Overall it was good. Not great but good. Storyline is easy to follow but does have a few gaps. Characters are developed enough to be engaging. Plot was quality.
"Alibi" by Kristin Butcher is a book written for reluctant readers. It is a small and short book, so I will be judging it as I would a short story and on the basis of if I would recommend this title to teens that have trouble getting into books. Kristin Butcher has written many books before this one, including other titles for reluctant readers.
"Alibi" is about how Christine happens upon a mystery while staying with her Aunt Maude in Witcombe. There have been a string of robberies in the surrounding towns, and Christine starts believing it may be the mysterious boy that showed up last minute to Aunt Maude's ghost tour.
Despite the length of the book, Kristin manages to fit a lot of character and story into the pages. Aunt Maude is the fun, crazy aunt many of us have or wish we had, there are these creepy yet cool old lady twins that make a few appearances, and mainly Aunt Maude carries the story. The mysterious guy, Simon, was not as colorful as the rest of the characters, but I did enjoy his scenes. Finally, Christine was mostly okay. I personally do not like shrillness and quick anger as characterizations for a lead female character, but I don't believe it takes away from the story.
I would definitely recommend this book to kids in middle school and above that have trouble reading.
Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: Great
Recommended: Recommended*
Level: Middle school +
*I would say this rating depends on your teen community.
"Alibi" is about how Christine happens upon a mystery while staying with her Aunt Maude in Witcombe. There have been a string of robberies in the surrounding towns, and Christine starts believing it may be the mysterious boy that showed up last minute to Aunt Maude's ghost tour.
Despite the length of the book, Kristin manages to fit a lot of character and story into the pages. Aunt Maude is the fun, crazy aunt many of us have or wish we had, there are these creepy yet cool old lady twins that make a few appearances, and mainly Aunt Maude carries the story. The mysterious guy, Simon, was not as colorful as the rest of the characters, but I did enjoy his scenes. Finally, Christine was mostly okay. I personally do not like shrillness and quick anger as characterizations for a lead female character, but I don't believe it takes away from the story.
I would definitely recommend this book to kids in middle school and above that have trouble reading.
Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: Great
Recommended: Recommended*
Level: Middle school +
*I would say this rating depends on your teen community.
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Short, fast-paced, engaging "whodunnit" style mystery for reluctant middle-level readers.
This Orca Currents title is about 15-year-old Christine who goes to stay with her aunt in a small town during summer vacation. Her aunt Maude runs an antique shop and conducts ghost tours in the small, touristy town. A string of robberies in nearby towns soon extends to their town as well. Christine is determined to catch the thief because one of the robberies happened in her aunt's store!
A savvy reader will quickly figure out the solution to the mystery, but it is still a satisfying read with interesting characters.
A savvy reader will quickly figure out the solution to the mystery, but it is still a satisfying read with interesting characters.