The perfect series for kids who loved THE LEMONADE WAR series and are ready for more mysteries! Edgar Award Nominee for Best Mystery! "With wit, cunning, snappy dialogue and superior math skills, The Red Blazer Girls represent the best of girl-detectives while still feeling relatable and real. Nancy Drew would be right at home with this group." -- Huffington Post's 15 Greatest Kid Detectives List It all began with The Scream. And ended with . . . well, if we told you that, it wouldn’t be a mystery! But in between The Scream and The Very Surprising Ending, three friends find themselves on a scavenger hunt set up for a girl they never met, in search of a legendary ring reputed to grant wishes. Are these sleuths in school uniforms modern-day equivalents of Nancy, Harriet, or Scooby? Not really, they’re just three nice girls who decide to help out a weird lady, and end up hiding under tables, tackling word puzzles and geometry equations, and searching rather moldy storage rooms for “the stuff that dreams are made of” (that’s from an old detective movie). Oh, and there’s A Boy, who complicates things. As boys often do. Intrigued? The Red Blazer Girls offers a fun, twisty adventure for those who love mystery, math (c’mon, admit it!), and a modest measure of mayhem. Michael Beil, a New York City high school English teacher and life-long mystery fan, delivers a middle-grade caper that's perfect for middle-grade readers who have finished THE LEMONADE WAR series and are ready for more advanced mysteries!
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"I love the Red Blazer Girls books! I read the third one first, and just finished the first. 2nd one is waiting next! They are funny enough that I laugh out loud and quick to read. I got a kick out of it when the author thanked his wife in the acknowledgements, so it sank in that they are written by a man. Highly recommended for girls, and even boys might enjoy them if they'd give them a chance."
— Brenda (5 out of 5 stars)
“A familiar heroine—the girl detective—gets a fresh look (red blazer!) in this delightful debut.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Three plucky, clever heroines and one very intriguing puzzle equal lighthearted adventure with a modern twist. Move over, Nancy Drew!”
— Kirkus Reviews" I really enjoyed this book. The book and the characters were quite natural, and I really enjoyed the plot twists. "
— Dillon, 1/19/2014" This book keeps your attention. It is light-hearted. I found it very enjoyable. "
— Anne, 1/18/2014" book one of a fun series about middle school girls who use math and literature and other knowledge to solve crimes. Very fun read for adults too but this would be a great book club selection. "
— Sandy, 1/9/2014" Middle school girls searching for a new mystery will enjoy this one centering on 4 friends at a Catholic school in NYC. "
— Tracie, 1/2/2014" This book was pretty good. I really liked solving the puzzles before the girls did, although I dont think that I really can justify being so proud seeing as they were seventh graders, which also made me feel like I was reading a book that was much too young for me. I enjoyed it anyway, though, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to work their brain a little :) "
— Hilary, 12/27/2013" This book involves the reader (who is probably a middle school aged girl) in solving mysteries and following clues along with the intrepid Red Blazer Girls. I was drawn into the girls lives and adventures. This was an enjoyable read! "
— Joyce, 12/26/2013" Another young adult book I read to talk about with my granddaughter who loves mysteries too. Good story and plot for mystery lovers in this age group. Also anyone who likes to solve puzzles you will love this story as there are several to solve. "
— Joanne, 12/11/2013" These are great mysteries! I see the series as a contemporary answer to Nancy Drew. The Red Blazer Girls go to a private school rife with mysteries, friendship, intrigue, casual crushes and the obligatory nasty alpha grrrl. "
— Claire, 11/30/2013" Girls Fifth grade and up will love this. Very creative. Strong girls role models. "
— Emily, 11/22/2013" As someone who *loves* Harriet the Spy & other girl sleuths, I really enjoyed this book! "
— Amy, 11/21/2013" I enjoyed this one. It isn't especially profound, but it is interesting and well paced. Recommended for girls, especially, who like mysteries. "
— LauraW, 11/20/2013" really like this story of junior high school girls solving mysteries and puzzles. enjoyable story, will definitely read next in series. "
— Maria, 8/13/2013" Absolutely outstanding girl-power mystery with puzzles for clues, & very endearing & likable characters. This book even managed to get me excited about plane geometry, & that's a feat! "
— Brett, 6/6/2013" Cute, until it started with all the math. I just couldn't bring myself to finish it and I have been trying for a while. Great for kiddos, just not for me "
— Stacy, 6/4/2013" A little too old for the girls. Good complex mystery, better than Nancy Drew, rivals Enola Holmes. "
— Shanyn, 3/9/2013" Harriet the Spy meets Scooby Doo . . . this is a really fun, fast mystery with characters who are so quick-witted I had to go back and re-read some lines to get the jokes. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. "
— Pam, 12/19/2012" The narrator on this audiobook was PERFECT! I love the characters, wish I went to the school, and can't wait for the next one! Highly recommended. "
— Angela, 9/17/2012" Didn't really care for it... Audience is unclear. There was some language that didn't fit the juvenile tone of this mystery. Although it would probably still be popular with Nancy Drew fans. "
— Carrie, 7/25/2012" These girls grow on you as the book progresses. They're a little too perfect, too "New York", too "private school". But the mystery and their sleuthing skills drew me in. Of course, it's the first in a series, so there should be even more opportunities to grow to enjoy these plucky girls. "
— Mary, 2/25/2012" Great mystery for upper elementary girls. Adventure and mystery without the gore or suspense. "
— Jelander, 2/14/2012" A good mystery series that may cater to only a small section. There are some bits in the book that will turn off kids that hate math. "
— Rachael, 2/8/2012" I'd give this one 100 stars if I could. I LOVE this book. I liked following along and figuring out the puzzles. "
— Sarah, 2/7/2012" While innocently sitting in class looking out the window, the Red Blazer Girls have stumbled onto a mystery. A super book for our parochial school girls. Hope there will be more. the grils have delth and personality and life is not alwaqy rosy for them. "
— Mary, 4/28/2011" There was A LOT of math in this book but I still liked it. "
— Cara, 3/26/2011" Another young adult book I read to talk about with my granddaughter who loves mysteries too. Good story and plot for mystery lovers in this age group. Also anyone who likes to solve puzzles you will love this story as there are several to solve. "
— Joanne, 2/20/2011" Really Good Loved The end With Malcom "
— Maggie, 2/2/2011" I think most kids will be turned off by the math problems (unless they really like math). It interrupts the story flow. "
— Michele, 1/30/2011" A fun mystery with a few math puzzles included. "
— Jess, 1/27/2011" This book keeps your attention. It is light-hearted. I found it very enjoyable. "
— Anne, 1/13/2011Michael Beil teaches English at a Catholic high school in New York City. But lest anyone peg him as a mere “mild mannered academic,” it should be noted that he and his wife are also intrepid mountain climbers.
Tai Alexandra Ricci is an audiobook narrator whose readings include the Red Blazer Girls series by Michael D. Beil.