Sisterhood of Sleuths
What’s inside...
Maizy always assumed she knew everything about her grandmother, Jacuzzi. So when a box full of vintage Nancy Drew books gets left at her mom’s thrift store, Maizy is surprised to find an old photo of her grandmother and two other women tucked beneath the collection. Stranger still, when Maizy shows the photo to Jacuzzi she feigns ignorance, insisting the woman is someone else. Determined to learn the truth — and inspired by the legacy of Nancy Drew — Maizy launches her own investigation with the help of new friends, Nell and Cam. What they discover not only points to the origins of the iconic series, but uncovers a truth from the past that will lead to self-discovery in the present, connecting three generations of women. This intergenerational mystery filled with literary history, friendship, and family secrets delivers a captivating tribute to the world’s most famous girl detective.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-14
Length
325 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make a good detective? How do the characters in 'Sisterhood of Sleuths' demonstrate these qualities?
How do the characters in the book support each other during their adventures? Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or a friend helped you in a similar way?
If you were part of the 'Sisterhood of Sleuths,' what role would you choose to play and why?
What do you think is the most important clue in the mystery, and how does it help solve the case?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book? What do you think they learned?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts about the book's theme and ask your child's opinion.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask them what they would do differently if they were one of the characters.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of teamwork and friendship in solving problems.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next if the book had a sequel, fostering their creativity and imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The characters in 'Sisterhood of Sleuths' work together to solve mysteries, demonstrating that combining skills and working as a team can achieve great results.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each other’s input to accomplish common goals.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the young sleuths gather clues and assess situations critically to solve puzzles, which showcases the importance of logical reasoning and critical analysis.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach challenges in their daily lives with a problem-solving mentality, whether it's resolving conflicts with peers or tackling difficult school assignments.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: The protagonists face various obstacles but remain determined and never give up on their mission. This resilience demonstrates the value of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Real-World Application: Kids can mirror this behavior in real life by staying determined with their studies, hobbies, or other tasks, even when they encounter difficulties.
Example Lesson: Honesty and integrity
Explanation: As the characters solve mysteries, they learn the importance of being truthful and making ethical decisions, even when it's tough.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of honesty in building trust and credibility with friends, family, and teachers.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The diverse group of characters in 'Sisterhood of Sleuths' illustrates that everyone, regardless of their background, has something valuable to contribute.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace and respect people’s differences, which can enhance their social interactions and foster inclusivity in their communities.