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Children's Fiction Mysteries & Detective Stories

West Meadows Detectives: The Case of the Snack Snatcher

by (author) Liam O'Donnell

illustrated by Aurélie Grand

Publisher
Owlkids Books Inc.
Initial publish date
Mar 2016
Category
Mysteries & Detective Stories, School & Education, Neurodiversity, Friendship
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781771472302
    Publish Date
    Mar 2016
    List Price
    $16.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781771473453
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $11.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781771470698
    Publish Date
    Oct 2015
    List Price
    $18.95

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 7 to 10
  • Grade: 2 to 5

Description

Meet Myron: a third-grade detective who loves logic, facts and solving mysteries. He does not love new things. Unfortunately, everything is new this year: Myron has a new baby sister, his family has moved across town, and now he’s starting his first day at a new school. But when the school kitchen is burgled, leaving the morning snacks nowhere to be found, Myron gets his chance to crack the case with help from his classmates from Resource Room 15.

Myron’s unique perspective from the autism spectrum makes him a top-notch sleuth. Similarly, the other kids in his resource room demonstrate creative problem solving and unique talents that come in handy for the case. Together with his detective partner, the hyper-energetic Hajrah, and tech-savvy Danielle, known as “Glitch,” Myron gets to the bottom of the mystery — all while trying to avoid the school bully, Sarah “Smasher” McGuintley, who’s intent on sabotaging their efforts. Black-and-white spot illustrations accompany the text in this fun and accessible page-turner for independent readers.

About the authors

Liam O'Donnell's profile page

AURÉLIE GRAND graduated from Capilano University in British Columbia in 2009, and since then has been living an illustrator's life like a Jacques Demy movie: musical, colorful and dramatic. She likes to draw goofy animals, a wide range of facial and body expressions (some that don't even exist), and illustrate wordplays. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Aurélie Grand's profile page

Awards

  • Commended, One of 100 Scope Notes's 10 to Note for Fall
  • Long-listed, Cybils Award
  • Unknown, Nominated for the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award 2017-18

Editorial Reviews

"With a cast that's both ethnically and developmentally diverse, this school-day caper should entertain a broad range of readers, while also opening eyes to the perspectives of those not like themselves."

Publisher's Weekly

"Perfect for a burgeoning reader...O'Donnell has created a series that young readers will be eager to return to as more titles are added."

School Library Journal

"A welcome addition to any library...a great gift for a developing reader. Highly recommended."

Canadian Review of Materials

"An optimistic series beginning for young mystery fans."

Kirkus

"This book will be a hit in libraries...finally we have a great mystery novel with an autistic main character. Recommended."

School Library Connection

"Refreshing...the engaging mystery and gentle humor will keep hesitant readers eagerly turning the pages."

National Reading Campaign

"Full of humour and mystery. I recommend this book for any school or home library."

Resource Links

Librarian Reviews

West Meadows Detectives: The case of the snack snatcher

The first title in a new chapter book series featuring Myron, a boy detective on the autisum spectrum, as he and his Resource Room 15 classmates crack cases.

This is a chapter book that can easily be shared with young readers interested in the detective genre. Students will relate to this mystery about the disappearance of school snacks. The main character, Myron Matthews, has autism which will also help readers learn understanding for and acceptance of the special needs of others. The chapter book highlights how what may be considered our greatest weaknesses can also be our greatest strengths.

Also available: Max Finder Mystery Collected CasEbook #1 by Liam O 'Donnell @liamodonnell

Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.

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