Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing

by Briana McDonald (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

Nancy Drew meets Harriet the Spy in this action-packed and heartfelt debut middle grade following an overzealous amateur sleuth as she investigates a shocking family secret--and unravels the mystery of her developing feelings for girls.

Rule One: Your loyalty is to the case. Amateur detective Pepper Blouse has always held true to this rule, even if it meant pushing people away. But when the results of Pepper's latest case cost her any hope of the girl she likes returning her feelings, she decides that maybe she should lay low for a while. That is, until her Great Aunt Florence passes away under mysterious circumstances. And even though her dad insists there's nothing to investigate, Pepper can't just ignore rule fourteen: Trust your gut.

But there's nothing in the rulebook that could've prepared her for the family secrets her investigation uncovers. Maybe it's time to stop playing by the rules.

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Kirkus Reviews

A fun debut that is notable for its thematic depth and queer characters.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Pepper Blouse's rule number one is "your loyalty is always to the case," and she takes this very seriously. Pepper wants to be a celebrated detective like her late mother, and is convinced that sleuthing runs in her blood. She always tries to expose the truth in all situations. From the moment Pepper and her father arrive at her Great Aunt Florence's home after her sudden death, Pepper begins noticing weird things. Their cell phone service is suddenly nonexistent, but Aunt Wendy keeps making mysterious phone calls and meeting with the creepy landscaper. Pepper is unable to resist investigating Aunt Wendy and when she uncovers evidence that almost assuredly points to Florence's murder, she enlists the help of the boy next door, Jacob, and her cousin Andrew along the way. On her quest for the truth, Pepper learns secrets about her family that she could never have imagined. Each chapter begins with one of Pepper's rules for sleuthing, which are actually her mother's rules that Pepper inherited after her death five years ago. In addition to dealing with losing a parent, many other family and friendship issues are successfully covered within the story. Pepper's father may want to start dating soon, Pepper is struggling with new feelings for her classmate Ashley, and her new friend Jacob, a trans boy, is dealing with welcoming a new sister who he feels is his replacement. VERDICT A great modern read-a-like for "Harriet the Spy" and other mystery classics like "Nancy Drew" and the "Hardy Boys." Hopefully, there will be more adventures from Pepper and her friends in the future.--Sara Brunkhorst, Glenview P.L., IL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Irrepressible and lovable, Pepper joins the ranks of the best kid sleuths—and shows that sometimes the heart is the toughest mystery."—Eliot Schrefer, author of National Book Award Finalist Endangered
Briana McDonald
Briana McDonald writes diverse and adventurous books for young readers. She studied writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals. When she's not writing, Briana lives and works in New York City with her wife and their dog, Rex. She is the author of Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing, The Secrets of Stone Creek, and Galaxy Jones and the Space Pirates. Find out more at BrianaRoseMcDonald.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534453432
Lexile Measure
760
Guided Reading Level
17
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
September 20, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Library of Congress categories
Death
Fathers and daughters
Mystery and detective stories
Detective and mystery stories
Detective and mystery fiction
Single-parent families
Great aunts

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