Barrett, Tracy The Missing Heir (Sherlock Files Cases: Unsolved)

Barrett, Tracy    The Missing Heir (Sherlock Files Cases: Unsolved)     

 Henry Holt/Macmillan children's pub group 2011  172p      15.99 978-0-8050-8047-6 elm/ms      VG          

   Twins Xena and Xander, descendants of the world’s greatest detective Sherlock Holmes, are about to take on another mystery tied to their ancestor’s cold case files.  When Alice is kidnapped, Xena and Xander realize that this tiny realm has figured in one of Sherlock’s unsolved cases and set out to find Alice and the missing connections.                

    American children now living in London, they have assimilated well into the London Multinational School when it is revealed that one of their classmates will be crowned as Princess of Borogovia on her upcoming thirteenth birthday.   Princess Alice enlists the twins to help her find the old letters she had discovered about her ancestors and that have since vanished.  When Alice is kidnapped, Xena and Xander realize that this tiny realm has figured in one of Sherlock’s unsolved cases and set out to find Alice and the missing connections.  They ferret out information from the files of the SPFD, the Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives, and enlist the help of Andrew Watson, offspring of Sherlock’s associate Dr. Watson, to help with some of the technicalities.   Well written, if a trifle farfetched, the book is filled with exciting action, a convoluted plot, and interesting characters.  Xena and Xander may be this generation’s answer to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys as they go about trying to solve the few cases that Sherlock could not.  It is sure to be a popular read.              Mystery and detective stories Susan Ogintz

 

Barrett, Tracy. King of Ithaka.

Barrett, Tracy King of Ithaka
Henry Holt/Macmillan children's pub group 2010 260p 16.99 978-0-8050-8969-1 ms/hs History-Greek, Odyssey VG-BN


Based loosely on Homer╒s Odyssey, Barrett╒s version of the voyage of Telemachos is filled with vitality and insight. The descriptive narrative offers a look at a boy on the cusp of manhood who grows and develops into a true king.
Telemachos, son of Odysseus, is informed by the neighbors gathering at his table that it is past time his mother Penelopeia took another husband preferably one of them. After all, it was now more than sixteen years since Odysseus went to war and it was time for a new king. The only way for Telemachos to prevent this will be to travel to Sparta to ask King Menelaus for information about his missing father. Until then, Telemachos has led a peaceful uncomplicated life lazing about with his friends Damon and the centaur Brax. Now he must face his fears and cross the sea in search of the missing Odysseus. Taking his courage in both hands, he leaves Ithaka and sets sail with Brax and Polydora, runaway sister of Damon. On the voyage, the trio encounter many who wish to do them ill even under the guise of friendship and hospitality. It is only after their return home from their trials and tribulations that Telemachos discovers what is really necessary to be a good king.
Based loosely on Homer╒s Odyssey, Barrett╒s version of the voyage of Telemachos is filled with vitality and insight. The descriptive narrative offers a look at a boy on the cusp of manhood who grows and develops into a good man and a true king. It is engaging, suspenseful, well-written historical fiction with excellent characterizations and a well paced plot that is sure to hold the reader╒s interest and might even lead them to the original Homer.
Historical Ogintz, Susan