King & Kayla and the Case of the Cat Hunt
(King & Kayla #9)

Gr 1-3--When her friend Raj asks for help locating his cat, Kayla and her dog, King, are on the case. The cat, Blue, never goes outside but Raj can't find him anywhere; where could he have gone? With Raj's help, the detective duo work together to gather clues, make flyers, and interview neighbors. Simple language and illustrations make this an accessible transition between picture and chapter books for readers. King's speech bubbles add a secondary layer of information to the text and his thought bubbles add whimsy to the illustrations, which show the pair as they search each of Blue's favorite hiding spots. King's parallel narrative of the Cat with No Name is an entertaining and enriching addition to the larger case, and readers will especially enjoy the illustrations of King as he works through the gathered evidence. Character descriptions are not included, but illustrations portray the diversity of the neighborhood. VERDICT Problem-solving and teamwork save the day in this sparkling addition to the series.--Maggie Mason Smith