Book 3 of Sherlock Files: Fun Times and Mystery!

Book 3: the Sherlock Files: 

The Case the Time Forgot

by Tracy Barrett

Genre: Middle Grades fiction/mystery


Review: The third book in the series is even more engaging than the first two. A friend at school, Karim, asks Xena and Xander to investigate an Egyptian water clock and a missing amulet that is meant to stop time every 50 years (for his grandfather). Their journey brings them to the Timekeeper's Museum and the Big Ben clock tower, among other places. They must solve hieroglyphs and find clues to beat a mysterious person who is following their trail. There is one more book in the series, but young readers won't want it to end.


Song to Read By: Egyptian techno dance song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhS27uV9Vsg

A Strong Follow-Up in Middle Grades Mystery

The Sherlock Files Book 2:

The Beast of Blackslope

by Tracy Barrett

Genre: Middle Grades Mystery


Review: The cover of this book looks overdramatic, but I enjoyed the book once I started reading. The bro-and-sis sleuth team of Xander and Xena Holmes open their casebook to find out Sherlock Holmes has visited the tiny village where they are vacationing, Blackslope, England. After hearing a strange howl, they set out to investigate. Once again, the book is well-paced, with a nice change of setting (including castles, dark woods, and a country manor). Xena and Xander have great dialogue/banter that kids will enjoy. 


Song to Read By: "Beauty and the Beast" song from the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDsmPld9Kos

A Fast-Paced Middle Grades Mystery!

The 100-Year-Old Secret

by Tracy Barrett

First in the Sherlock Files series
Genre: Middle Grades mystery

Note: I am using this book to teach a 5th grade English unit about mysteries. 


Review: A fun introduction to this mystery series. Xander and Xena are a bro-and-sis sleuth team, ages 10 and 12. Each has a special set of skills (encyclopedic memory, athleticism, acute hearing). They find out they are relatives of Sherlock Holmes and inherit his casebook of unsolved cases. They just moved to London from America and set off in search of a lost, fictional painting. Clearly has elements of mystery, including clues and red herrings. You can read this book in 2 hours or less. Short, fast-paced chapters. 

Author website: http://www.tracybarrett.com/


Song to Read By: Sherlock Holmes film soundtrack "Opening Theme" by Hans Zimmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXLodky50zM