Wallace and Grace Take the Case

As partners in the Night Owl Detective Agency, owls Wallace and Grace always find out “whooo-done-it!” in this first book in an early chapter book series, part of the Read & Bloom line. With no case to crack when night falls, the friends decide to play hide-and-seek instead; while doing so, they run into their rabbit pal, Edgar, who asks them to chase away the ghost that’s haunting his favorite kale patch. The owls think they have the case cracked when they discover a bed sheet missing from a clothesline but are forced to reconsider. “A bedsheet making spooky noises does not make sense,” notes Wallace. “Case not closed,” Grace concurs. Alexander (the Amazing Stardust Friends series) sets the light, brisk-moving mystery over four chapters, and her ghost story ends with an “aww” rather than a “boo.” Zarrin’s cozy color artwork and Alexander’s chirpy narrative energize a story that highlights the rewards of mutual respect, collaboration, and friendship. The sleuths are back on the job in Wallace and Grace and the Cupcake Caper, available simultaneously. Ages 5–7. (May)