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The Case of the Missing Moonstone

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
History, mystery, and science collide in a new series for middle-grade readers, perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Lemony Snicket!
 
Jordan Stratford imagines an alternate 1826, where Ada Lovelace (the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) meet as girls and form a secret detective agency!
 
Lady Ada Byron, age eleven, is a genius. Isolated, awkward and a bit rude—but a genius. Mary Godwin, age fourteen, is a romantic. Adventurous, astute, and kind, Mary is to become Ada’s first true friend. And together, the girls conspire to form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency—a secret constabulary for the apprehension of clever criminals. Their first case involves a stolen heirloom, a false confession, and an array of fishy suspects. But it’s no match for the deductive powers and bold hearts of Ada and Mary.
 
Mystery fans will love this tween girl riff on Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. History buffs will be delighted to see all the real figures who play a role in this story and appreciate the extensive backmatter that helps separate truth from fiction. Parents and educators hoping to promote the STEM fields for girls will be thrilled to have a series where two girls use math, science, and creative analytical thinking to solve crimes. But most especially—emerging readers will love this series filled with humor, action, intrigue and wonderful artwork from Kelly Murphy.
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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      October 20, 2014
      This smart and witty first book in the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency mystery series features celebrated figures Ada Lovelace, considered the world’s first computer programmer, and Mary Shelley, credited with creating the science fiction genre, as young detectives-in-training. Although Stratford (who raised more than $90,000 on Kickstarter to publish the series, prior to its acquisition) admits he’s taken liberties with some facts and dates, he vividly recreates the social and economic milieu of 1826 England through the girls’ eyes. Lady Ada, 11, is an awkward but brilliant mathematician, while Mary, 14, is socially adept and loves the romantic, adventurous side of life. When the girls come across newspaper pieces about crime, they resolve form a “secret constabulary” to catch criminals. As they use quick thinking, book smarts, and social know-how to find a stolen gemstone with the help (willing and unwilling) of their tutor, Peebs (Percy Bysshe Shelley), and travelmate (a young Charles Dickens), they also navigate the difficult terrain of despair and injustice. Skilled b&w illustrations and comical narration and dialogue will charm readers thoroughly. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Heather Schroder, Compass Talent Agency.

    • Kirkus

      November 15, 2014
      The future author of Frankenstein teams up with the future inventor of the computer to establish a young ladies' detective agency.The fact that in real life Mary Shelley, nee Godwin, was 18 years older than Ada Lovelace, nee Byron, doesn't seem to bother Stratford one whit. He simply reduces the age difference by 15 years and arranges for Mary to be sent to Ada's house for tutoring. Their tutor is a hapless Percy Shelley (bumblingly incognito); illicitly sharing Mary's carriage every day is a cheerful young Charles Dickens. Young readers unencumbered by the knowledge that the setup is laughably ahistorical may enjoy the slight mystery, which unfolds when Mary and Ada decide to spice up their routine by investigating interesting crimes. They will probably warm to Mary's steady intelligence. They will certainly relish Ada's many eccentricities, especially the hot air balloon she keeps tethered to her roof and her willingness to store Shelley in the distillery closet when he gets in the way. But even the most credulous child may find it very hard to believe that a Victorian family submits to the interrogation of two strange girls about a lost gem under the guise of a school project. An author's note attempts to correct the text's inaccuracies. At best readers won't get it, and at worst they will believe it. (Historical mystery. 8-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      December 1, 2014

      Gr 5-8-History meets mystery in this story in which the author reimagines the lives of Ada Byron and Mary Shelley as two girls who meet in 1826 London, agree to form a secret detective agency, and embark upon a series of adventures together. Ada (who will later become known as Lady Lovelace, often considered the world's first computer programmer) is a reclusive genius, lacking in social skills. Mary, who will one day become the author of the classic novel Frankenstein, is observant and a bit romantic. While the author admits to taking a few liberties with historical facts (for example, some of the characters were much further apart in age than are presented in the story), there are plenty of historical and scientific tidbits that may inspire readers to investigate the real-life figures as well as their discoveries and creations evolve. A good fit for Common Core curricula and a fun overall read, this is a winner.-Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

      Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      December 15, 2014
      Grades 4-6 Stratford creates an alternate nineteenth-century London, peoples it with a number of historical figures, and changes those figures' ages and life stories to suit his narrative. Ada Byron, 11, and Mary Godwin, 14, start a detective agency in Victorian London. Ably assisted by their young acquaintance Charles and their tutor, Percy, the young ladies investigate the mystery of a stolen jewel and chase down the thief in a hot-air balloon. Although the stylized, black-and-white illustrations are pleasing, the detective-story plot is somewhat unconvincing, and the entire narrative is a bit mannered and top-heavy with eminent Victorians. Still, even readers unfamiliar with Ada Byron Lovelace, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Charles Dickens will enjoy the two protagonists. Ada is an entertainingly eccentric character, and Mary is a sympathetic, perceptive one. In the appended notes, Stratford comments on aspects of the historical period as well as eight people characterized or mentioned in the book. Readers intrigued by the young detectives can look forward to further volumes in the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

    • The Horn Book

      July 1, 2015
      In a reimagined nineteenth-century London, Mary Godwin, fourteen, and Ada Byron, eleven, form a secret agency to pursue the case of a missing jewel. Percy Shelley and Charles Dickens assist their efforts. The characters are entertaining, but the plot feels forced at times. Detailed bios of the real historical figures and an author's note addressing the liberties taken are included.

      (Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:5.6
  • Lexile® Measure:840
  • Interest Level:4-8(MG)
  • Text Difficulty:4-5

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