Walls within Walls by Maureen Sherry -ADVISABLE

Sherry, Maureen and Illustrated by Stower, Adam Walls within Walls 368 pgs. Katherine Tegen Books, 2012 . $6.99.  (Rating: G)

When Brid, CJ, and Patrick move to Manhattan, they miss their old neighborhood and even more -the time their parents used to spend with them. They are pretty depressed, but when they discover their entire apartment is a puzzle they band together to solve it. It was created by the long dead past owner, as tricky way to get his inheritance to his children.  They must decipher words puzzles, read poetry and look at architecture for clues, and put it all together with the help of a robot, an old woman, and some old fashioned brain power.

This was a fantastic mystery with great characters! Students will love this treasure hunt, its dynamic, fast paced, thoughtful, interesting, and fun! Teachers, especially us librarians, will love it because there is an emphasis on poetry, word puzzles, the use of internet searches, the use of libraries, and synthesis of knowledge. Parents might not like it so much, because these elementary aged students lie to sluff school! That might be starting a bit young! Without that bit, I would have rated this as essential.

ELEMENTARY – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate & Author.