The Missing Zucchini

Reviewed by: Michelle Brenner - Casco Public Library, Casco, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 8, 2016

Review

Zeeta and Zelda Zamboni are missing their giant zucchini that was sure to win first prize in the vegetable competition at the Harrow Harvest Fair. It is up to Max and his Uncle Larry, who happens to be a ghost and can only be seen by Max, to solve the mystery before it's too late. A 200 pound zucchini can't be easy to steal but there are a host of suspects in this early chapter book mystery. It is a clever "whodunit" with an Agatha Christie-style gathering of suspects at the end of the story. Kid humor abounds (the first chapter is called "The Biggest Poop I Have Ever Seen") but a quickly moving plot with twist and turns kept me guessing until the end. It is an engaging story for readers transitioning to chapter books with large font on white pages and numerous pen and ink drawings enhancing the characters development. Sure to be popular with 2nd to 4th grade readers.

Overall Book Score: very good