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A review by thearomaofbooks
The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg
2.0
This was a fine story, but because Shelby was just so rude to everyone, including every adult with whom she interacted, I just couldn't get behind her as a character. It honestly was so bad that I'm not even sure I want to recommend this book to any of the younger readers in my life, because I don't want them looking at someone as completely rude and arrogant as Shelby as a role model. And I realize that the original Sherlock is also rather brusque and dismissive, but he's also an adult, not a 9-year-old.
In my mind, I kept thinking about how I grew up reading Encyclopedia Brown, another child-genius who solves mysteries by his incredible powers of observation and logical deduction - except he managed to do it in a way that was friendly and helpful, instead of sarcastic and superior.
I get that Watson is supposed to become this softening person in Shelby's life who helps her understand the concept of friendship and cooperation, but there is a difference between being socially awkward and just being flat-out obnoxious. Shelby is a spoiled, whiny child who belittles her parents and everyone else around her. Not acceptable.
There were a lot of fun and cute moments in this book, and I was sad that the entire thing was spoiled with such a bratty, unlikable main character. It also of course set her parents up as weak, fluttering sort of people who are clueless and kind pointless and who don't even know how to teach their child basic manners. (Or, apparently, remember her name?? What was with the moment where her dad calls her 'Shelly' and she corrects him?? That was super weird.)
Overall a 2.5/5. I wanted to like this book, but just couldn't get past Shelby as the worst role model ever.
In my mind, I kept thinking about how I grew up reading Encyclopedia Brown, another child-genius who solves mysteries by his incredible powers of observation and logical deduction - except he managed to do it in a way that was friendly and helpful, instead of sarcastic and superior.
I get that Watson is supposed to become this softening person in Shelby's life who helps her understand the concept of friendship and cooperation, but there is a difference between being socially awkward and just being flat-out obnoxious. Shelby is a spoiled, whiny child who belittles her parents and everyone else around her. Not acceptable.
There were a lot of fun and cute moments in this book, and I was sad that the entire thing was spoiled with such a bratty, unlikable main character. It also of course set her parents up as weak, fluttering sort of people who are clueless and kind pointless and who don't even know how to teach their child basic manners. (Or, apparently, remember her name?? What was with the moment where her dad calls her 'Shelly' and she corrects him?? That was super weird.)
Overall a 2.5/5. I wanted to like this book, but just couldn't get past Shelby as the worst role model ever.