Larson, Kirby. Audacity Jones Steals the Show.

Larson, Kirby. Audacity Jones Steals the Show. Scholastic Press  2017  176p  $16.99 ISBN 978-0-545-84065-1  ms    Historical Fiction  VG-BN   

Audacity Jones is an orphan and a student at Miss Maisie’s School for Wayward Girls. Her wish for an adventure takes her off again to New York City to help the Great Houdini perform a magic trick. Audacity reads everything that she can.  She is especially drawn to adventure tales and longs for even a small little escapade to brighten her day.  Her wish soon comes true once again.  Commodore Crutchfield (Cyber) arrives at the school looking for Audacity to help him with a secret mission in New York City.  Needless to say, Audacity jumps at the chance and leaves with Cyber and her friend Bimmy.  It doesn’t take Audacity very long to figure out that there is a mystery to be solved.  It will be up to Audacity and her feline companion Min to pull off a grand illusion. 

This is engaging, suspenseful, well-written historical fiction with excellent characterizations and a well-paced plot.  The creative twists will hold the reader's attention from beginning to end, and keep him/her demanding more adventures for Audacity.              

Summary: Audacity Jones is an orphan and a student at Miss Maisie’s School for Wayward Girls. Her wish for an adventure takes her off once again to New York City to help the Great Houdini perform a magic trick.     

Adventure-Fiction, Harry Houdini-Fiction                    --Linda McNeil

Larson, Kirby. Audacity Jones.

Larson, Kirby.  Audacity Jones.  Scholastic Press     2016  209p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-84056-9        ms/hs  Fantasy  VG-BN

     

Audacity Jones is a most unusual girl.  She is always in trouble or stretching the limits at Miss Maisie’s Home for Wayward Girls.  She learns she loves the Punishment Room, where she spends much of her time with her feline companion Miniver.  The room is filled with books and other goodies as well as a snack from the cook. Investigating the books provides her with lots of enjoyment and learning.
    

The book gets interesting when Commodore Crutchfield comes to borrow an orphan to accompany him to Washington, D.C.  Audie is surprised when she finds her cat Miniver has hidden in the car truck.  Their destination in D.C. is the White House, where they will attend an open house for President Taft and his family.  Audie soon realizes that something is not adding up, and she starts asking questions and investigating on her own.  In the course of a few days, she is kidnapped and the president is almost killed.  Readers will enjoy the humorous and engaging predicaments that Audacity and Miniver get into and out of with her orphanage BFF’s.

Summary:  Audacity Jones is a spunky orphan who lives in a home for wayward girls.  Life is not destined to be dull with Audacity living there.  Readers will enjoy a funny and engaging book.
                 

Humor-Fiction, Adventure-Fiction                                  --Linda McNeil