It Came from Beneath the Playground

September 29, 2014
In this wisecracking launch to the Snoop Troop series, fourth-grade budding detective Logan Lang tries to figure out who has stolen the merry-go-round out of the local amusement park. This theft is followed by the disappearance of other fun things like video games and playground equipment, and then comes the demand: "criminal moles" deliver the message that the children at Murkee Elementary School must turn over their lunch money in order for the stolen items to be returned. Logan and her extremely enthusiastic partner, Gustavo Muchomacho, attempt to identify the mastermind behind the plot, and so do readers, who are invited to find items hidden in Scroggs's illustrations, sketch suspects, and unscramble clues. Scroggs (the Wiley & Grampa's Creature Features series) tells much of the story through illustrated comics-style sequences packed with visual puns, and his narrator dials up the comedy with sardonic, metafictional commentary and similes that spoof overserious detective dramas ("like a masseuse wearing boxing gloves, it rubs Logan the wrong way"). A rollicking mystery that bodes well for the books to come. Ages 6â9. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media.

August 15, 2014
Snoop Troop can solve the case...with a little help from readers. Fourth-grader Logan Lang loves mysteries; she reads them, and she solves them. That's why when she hears about mysterious doings at Hurling Rivers Amusement Park on her combination lunch box and police radio, she hotfoots it out there. Someone has stolen the merry-go-round. Logan starts her investigation, but Gustavo Muchomacho, an overeager boy from school, keeps sticking his nose (and his fake mustache) into things. The duo pool their talents just as the whole playground is stolen from the school, and they discover trained moles are behind the thefts...but who's behind the trained moles? There's no shortage of suspects, and readers get to guess based on presented evidence. Scroggs kicks off an interactive series of goofy mysteries with this heavily illustrated hybrid of graphic novel, mystery fiction and activity book. Logan regularly breaks the fourth wall to address her narrator and the audience. Readers are asked to sketch suspects (moles) and find evildoers (moles) in the illustrations. Twenty pages of extra activities (along with the admonishment to only write in the book if it belongs to you to avoid the wrath of librarians) follow the satisfyingly silly story. Mystery (and humor) mavens will eagerly await future cases. (Graphic/mystery hybrid. 8-11)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2014

Gr 2-4-Fifth-grade Logan loves a good mystery. And when the merry-go-round goes missing at the local amusement park, she and her "arch-nuisance," Gustavo Muchomacho try to break the case and find out why everything on the playground is sinking underground. Newly independent readers will enjoy the graphic novel format and be encouraged to help solve the mystery. The narrator is integral to the story as he interacts with the characters and readers, involving the latter in the story. Children are encouraged to examine the illustrations for clues. With illustrations on every page and bonus back material, including drawing how-to's and puzzles, this early chapter book will appeal to young readers.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.