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The Mizzy Mysteries – A Skeleton in the Closet
Book Review
I think it's really good that the main character has a learning difficulty because it made me understand more about special needs
Wow! What a great book. I literally could not stop reading! I think Mizzy is a determined and resilient young girl, trying to help solve the mystery. I loved every single part, especially when Mizzy discovers Aunt Jane’s lost diary but I was scared when she was poisoned. The ending was a very big surprise for me, but I won’t give any more detail because I don’t want to spoil it for you!
I love how the author made it so that Mizzy is afraid of escalators. When I was little, I was afraid of escalators too!
I think it’s really good that the main character has a learning difficulty because it made me understand more about special needs. I didn’t really know what Down syndrome was, so I googled it and now I understand it.
The front cover is so bright and colourful. [ I just can’t stop looking at it!] The drawings inside the book are really pretty and interesting. I loved spotting the spelling mistakes that ‘Mizzy’ had made.
I have not read any books by Claire Hatcher-Smith before, but I will definitely be looking out for more books by her because this one was so good.
I will recommend this book to anybody that loves mysteries and all of my friends.
About the Book
Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won’t let anything stand in her way — not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who’ve outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane’s diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realises her aunt didn’t die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What’s more … someone in the family appears to have been involved.
Under the guise of a family-tree project for school, and armed with a brand new set of Pipsqueak markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins — and the world.
Author
Clare Hatcher-Smith
Claire Hatcher-Smith is a British children’s author who writes mystery stories for young readers. She is the author of A Skeleton in the Closet, the first book in The Mizzy Mysteries, featuring Mizzy, a 12-year-old girl with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a detective. Claire has also worked with young people with Down syndrome for more than 30 years, which inspired aspects of Mizzy’s character.
Reviewer Profile
Emaan, 8
- Reviews: 23
- Likes: swimming, crafts, and fun fairs
- Dislikes: bananas and spiders
- Favourite Book: The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton
- Favourite Song: We Don't Talk About Bruno (from Encanto)
- Favourite Film: The Bad Guys
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