With the current situation, many parents may be looking for ways to keep their small humans busy. Reading is an excellent way to escape from the world around us and fantasy, in particular, allows kids to dive into a world unlike their own.

The Sisters Grimm fantasy series by Michael Buckley is an older series but The Fairy Tale Detectives, the first book in this middle grade fantasy series, blends adventure, mystery, humour and a wonderful mix of characters from fairy tales, popular culture and literature. Kids (and adults) will enjoy recognizing many fairy tale characters as the Grimm sisters, Sabrina and Daphne, try to rescue their Granny from the clutches of an evil giant.

While readers don’t need to be well-versed in all things fairy tale, I think those who can recognize the various characters will get a little more out of the story. This book introduces readers to the Everafter world and the sisters. The story stays on the lighter/not too scary end of the spectrum and the mystery moves along at a good pace and features characters you’ll root for. I enjoyed Granny’s spunkiness, Daphne’s sweetness and even Sabrina’s sass as she struggles to acclimate to her new surroundings.

I’m hoping in future books we’ll get to know the Everafter characters more in depth. Readers young and more seasoned (like myself) will enjoy the addition of illustrations which are beautifully done and will engage younger readers.

With a bit of mayhem, adventure, mystery and enough magic that may take you Over the Rainbow, trip over Cinderella’s glass slipper or even go floating down the river with Baloo, The Grimm Sisters series would be an excellent series that middle schoolers can sink into.  You can find this book in WPL’s digital collection on Download Library!

— Laurie P.