The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detective (Book 1)

The Sisters Grimm: Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley. 2005.
Audience: 10-12, Grades 4-6
My Rating: 3.5 *s of 5
Summary: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother whom they have always believed to be dead.
Comments: Slow start, excellent grandmother character, cliff-hanger ending, clever characters, subtle detective clues.
Awards:
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The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall. 2008.

My Rating: 4*s out of 5
Audience: Ages 8-12/Grades 4-8
Summary: The four Penderwick sisters are faced with the unimaginable prospect of their widowed father dating, and they hatch a plot to stop him.
Comments: Fun read for girls, heightened/unrealistic dialogue, variety of ages/personalities to relate to, well paced, satisfying ending
Awards: 2009-2010 Bluebonnet nominee
Read-alikes: The Penderwicks