I have a soft spot for Nancy Drew, as it was one of the first series I read in elementary school. I like to think she was responsible for my lifelong love of reading. So that explains why if it has anything to do with Nancy Drew, I am interested – the original Nancy Drew mystery series, the history of Nancy Drew, puzzles, games, and books inspired by the famous girl detective. So when I learned about “Sisterhood of Sleuths,” a middle grade mystery based on the Nancy Drew books, I couldn’t wait to read it. And I wasn’t disappointed.

This is a sweet story about young girls solving a mystery concerning a box of Nancy Drew books. It’s told in the first person by Maizy, who has never heard of the iconic girl detective before discovering the box of books at her mom’s thrift shop. In addition to the mystery of where the books came from, is the books’ mysterious connection to Maizy’s grandmother, Maizy’s school project, and the ups and downs of friendship.

I agree with author Jennifer Chambliss Bertman when she notes what she admired about Nancy Drew: “her friendships, her smarts, and her ability to problem-solve just about any situation. Everyone respected and listened to her. And the stories were exciting – unexpected twists and turns and peril that ended nearly every chapter with a cliffhanger. But Nancy always kept her cool.”

This book is a great way for young readers to continue following Nancy Drew after they’ve read the 56 books in the original series. Or to generate interest before beginning the series. But it also stands alone as an enjoyable middle grade mystery about friendship, forgiveness, and family. ( )

This was a lot of fun. As an adult I sort of saw some things coming, but I think it would be just right for the right aged child. I was grateful for the author's note which spelled out the facts of Nancy Drew and her writers as well as the bibliography. I'm searching out a couple of those titles for myself! Besides being a fun introduction to Nancy Drew it is a good story about friendship, how it blossoms, wanes and changes over time. I thought it was a good read. I wasn't best pleased with the illustration. Not my cup of tea. The cover is great, but the inside illustration didn't live up to expectations. ( )

With mystery, family, friendships, and secrets, SISTERHOOD OF SLEUTHS has something for everyone.

Sisterhood of Sleuths is an entertaining middle-grade novel featuring both a mystery and the effects of growing up on friendships. It feels like the main character, Maizy, is faced with change from all sides: at school with her best friend, Izzy, at home with her older brother leaving for his first year at college, and even in her relationship with her beloved Jacuzzi who is definitely keeping secrets.

The author subtly portrays how individuals mature at different rates, with their interests evolving along the way. She shows how friendships also change over time. For some, the changes are gradual and gentle but leave others, sometimes, sorrowful and bereft. I loved how that theme was developed to include the three generations of women in Maizy’s family, how those relationships were damaged, and how they are eventually resolved.

I felt the Nancy Drew plotline was brilliant: how it connected the generations and the actual history of the series, its beginnings, the revisions of the 50s, and Mildred Wirt Benson’s entire story. I particularly liked the parallels Maizy could draw between herself and Benson’s experiences.

With its emphasis on friendships, especially at the middle-school age range, the mystery of Jacuzzi’s old photo, Cam’s rejection of stereotypically feminine dress and assignments, and the sprinkling of that unique style of middle-school boy humor from Link and Ben in the school project, the story has a little something for everyone. I recommend SISTERHOOD OF SLEUTHS to middle-grade fiction readers, especially those who enjoy the Nancy Drew series and those experiencing changes in their childhood friendships.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours. ( )