 Review by
Louella MorelandSummer vacation is always hard for a
13-year-old. One is too old for a babysitter, but not quite old enough for a
summer job. Therefore, families believe that the young person needs
structured activities, like job lists and educational "classes." This is the
case with Minerva Clark, heroine of "Minerva Clark Goes to the Dogs," who
was stuck cleaning out leftovers from the fridge on a beautiful morning at
the beginning of summer. Although this is the second Minerva Clark mystery
in what is likely to be a continued series, each book definitely stands on
its own.
Minerva wanted action! After all, she had already solved a real mystery
crime a few months before, right after the electrical shock that changed her
life. Now the 911 operator refuses to take her crime-solving tips seriously,
and her oldest brother, Mark Clark, has signed her up for an electronics
class on a Saturday morning.
This novel is a thoroughly enjoyable romp of a story with delightfully
drawn characters throughout. However, a couple of situations bothered me as
an adult reader. Although we understand that electronics plays a role in the
solving of Minerva's current mystery, it somewhat stretches a reader's
belief that anyone there would be a Saturday morning summer class. A lawyer
father who travels extensively and an absentee mother who has run off with
her boyfriend leave Minerva in the care of her three brothers. Of course,
this leaves Minerva with a lot of unsupervised time to work on her
investigations.
[to top of second column]
 |
These minor flaws were not enough to distract from a story
well-told, dialogue that mirrors the cell phone generation of today,
realistic friendships both good and bad, and humor that will have a
reader laughing out loud. I completely adored Minerva! Here is a
girl who sees the world with all its zits, but is secure in who she
is, accepting the situations that are dealt her. She has wit and
cleverness, yes, but also a true sense of caring for others (human
or animal) that makes her very real.
Karbo deals equally as well with minor characters. Minerva's
three brothers are all unique in their own ways. Minerva's strained
friendship with best friend Reggie, who is distracted by a new
girlfriend, and her own doubts about her "almost" boyfriend, Kevin,
who promised to call from his vacation in Montana and hasn't, ring a
true note in young teen relationships. Chelsea, the rich, spoiled,
never-been-friends-before-she-needed-her girl from school provides
the most humor in the story as Minerva struggles to solve the
mystery of the diamond that Chelsea "sold" unknowingly to a girl in
a coffee shop at the airport.
How do dogs figure into the title? Did I forget to mention the
unusual boyfriend of the missing girl who works at the Humane
Society? Sound confusing? Good! That's what makes up a good mystery!
Come to the library to check out Minerva and other mysteries!
Move over, Nancy Drew, there's a new girl at the library!
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
