Publishers Weekly Review
| Eleven-year-old Simon Hyde's parents' nomadic lifestyle, and yet another move across the country in their "Vincent Van Go," has made him risk averse. Having lived in 27 places, Simon has made up a fool-proof plan: Code Name Chameleon. Part one is to blend in with his new surroundings, and part two--perhaps the most imperative of the pair--is to not be weird. Though Simon loves collecting rocks and reading fantasy novels, he can't chance revealing his true self, especially since there's been so little stability in his life to begin with. But maybe this time will be different: implementing steps one and two of Operation Rigsby, his new, top-secret scheme, Simon has been researching the best home for his family and has successfully led them to Tangerine Pines. He immediately meets cheery, idiosyncratic neighbors and, upon feeling a spark of "a forever home," enacts step three: "Stay there forever. This was the most important part--and also the most complicated." When his neighbor's necklace is stolen, Simon and his new acquaintance is on the case--and he'll do anything to prolong their stay. In this quiet story of hope, belonging, and adventure, McDunn (When Sea Becomes Sky) presents Simon's sincere worries and charming schemes with a humorous, lighthearted approach. Simon reads as white. Ages 8--11. (Apr.) |
School Library Journal Review
| Gr 3--6--Meet Simon Hyde--he's on a mission to put down permanent roots in Rigby. Simon's usual rules for new towns? "Blend In and Don't Be Weird." But after moving 27 times, as a part of his parents' Hyde Go Seek travel blog, he's tired of always being the new kid. This time, he wants a real home and genuine friends. Trouble is, some jewel thefts at his new apartment complex, Tangerine Pines, are getting in the way of Simon's "Operation Rigby." He has already made friends with local petsitter Amaya and her "arch-nemesis" Calvin Morris, making Rigby feel like the home he has always wanted. But can Simon and his new friends solve the missing jewelry mystery before his parents get spooked, and he finds himself on the move again? Blending elements of mystery and realistic fiction, this title mixes a tight whodunit plot with common middle grade themes, such as growing up, fitting in, and developing friendships. The narrative centers around Simon's quest for a permanent home, but a secondary conflict, the jewel heist, injects intrigue into the plot with each proceeding chapter. With chapters averaging between six-to-nine pages in length and maintaining a balanced level of suspense throughout, this would be an excellent choice for either a beginning of the year read-aloud or as an independent read for young mystery buffs seeking a longer text. VERDICT An excellent purchase for middle grade mystery collections that will be an easy sell for kids and teachers alike.--Louie Lauer |
Booklist Review
| Once again, 11-year-old Simon and his parents are moving to an apartment in a new town, one where, he fervently hopes, they will stay forever. But before they have had time to settle in, a fire alarm sends all the residents streaming from their building, Tangerine Pines (aka the Tangerine). When they return to their homes, one resident reports the theft of her heirloom necklace, valued at one million dollars. Soon a neighbor named Amaya, a lively girl who befriended Simon soon after his arrival in town, proposes that they investigate the crime together and identify the thief. To that end, they interview the building's residents, consider possible suspects, and consult with Mrs. Kobayashi (a retired detective) about the case. McDunn, whose novels include Honestly Elliott (2022) and When Sea Becomes Sky (2023), constructs a story that even readers new to mystery novels can understand, and she fills it with quirky, interesting characters of all ages. Writing a whodunit without an obvious villain until the end, she creates a narrative with broad appeal for middle-grade readers. |
Kirkus Review
| A boy in search of roots solves his first mystery. Simon Hyde, 11 1/2, worries that the burglary at the Tangerine Pines apartments will result in his parents' quickly moving from the new home that he'd hoped might be permanent. Including the most recent one, where he broke his leg in a fall from a tree, Simon lived in 27 different places before arriving in Rigsby. His parents, both digital nomads, make a living from remote work and their popular The Hydes Go Seek social media account, which details their itinerant lifestyle. Simon feels they've been "adrift like a clump of dandelion seeds." He's kept a rock collection--"one small piece of every place we've ever lived"--but he longs for more lasting connections. When a priceless necklace goes missing, Simon, who reads white, tries to identify the thief with the help of ebullient new friend Amaya Sharma, who's also 11. Another neighbor, retired detective Mrs. Kobayashi, offers him tips, notably, "Be patient and allow yourself to observe." This advice turns out to be a great strategy for getting to know new friends and neighbors, including Calvin Morris, a Black boy around his age. McDunn's characters are nicely realized, and the mystery is satisfyingly resolved. A likable hero and a neatly plotted mystery. (Mystery. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
