morr_books's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
iffer's review
2.0
Ehhh, I wanted to like this more than I did. It's fine, and I'm definitely not the target audience, so the best thing would be to give this to and/or read this with a kid! I like the premise, but I found Sam/Sherlock to be annoying. I know that, since this takes place in Singapore, but it mildly irritated me that stereotypes in relationships were portrayed, such as the youngest boy (Sam) being spoiled and sharing secrets with him dad, while finding his mom and sister to be nags. I also didn't find Sam particularly endearing (though maybe that was by author intent if he's supposed to be like Sherlock), since he was a know-it-all and just seemed greedy by wanting to eat all the food, but it was presented like it was supposed to be endearing.
kalista_putri's review
4.0
SUPER CUTE?! Not to mention that it's set in Singapore and has Peranakan reference?! Something we rarely see in books?! AAAAAAAA.
ljrinaldi's review
3.0
This is a cute, early-chapter book about a 10-year-old boy who loves Batman and Sherlock Holmes, and who lives in Singapore. That last fact is only important in know that there will be a lot of local color thrown in, from local dishes, to local slang, all of which is explained in the glossary. But, other than that, this is a typical boy, other than the fact that he is a genius who invents a robot helper named Watson. He jokes about farts. He reads Batman and graphic novels, such as Logicomix, and loves sweets of all kinds.
This is on the border of a 3.5 stars, but although I liked it, and it was cute, I loved Friday Barnes more, which is about a girl detective solving mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This is on the border of a 3.5 stars, but although I liked it, and it was cute, I loved Friday Barnes more, which is about a girl detective solving mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.
kimily's review
3.0
Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong/Sherlock Sam and the Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning by AJ Low
These are the first two books in the Sherlock Sam series, and were provided to me by the publisher in a two-in-one set.
Samuel Tan Cher Lock, aka Sherlock Sam, is the “Greatest Boy Detective in Singapore”, so says his best friend Jimmy. In the first book of the Sherlock Sam series, Sam, his friends, and his trusty robot sidekick, Watson, are on the search for a missing cookbook. The cookbook is a treasured heirloom belonging to Auntie Kim Lian, but more importantly, Auntie can’t make Sam her delicious ayam buah keluak without it!
In the second book, Jimmy is excited to find an unknown sallyport (Jimmy port!) during a class trip to Fort Canning. That is until the ghostly moans start. Can Sherlock Sam and Watson convince his friends (and possibly his father) that ghosts aren’t real?
These books are a lot of fun, and educational to boot. The author shares Singaporean customs and culture, and kiddos who consult the glossary of the book may pick up some Chinese. Additionally, Sam and his dad love science, and there are several science-y teaching moments throughout each book. The mysteries are low key, with little to no danger quotient. Sam has a great relationship with his father, which especially shines through in the second book, as they go to Fort Canning together to investigate the ghostly moans. Sam’s sidekick robot, Watson, has a dry sense of humor which he dispenses in robotic tones and somehow that makes his jabs at Sam even funnier. I would recommend this book to any kiddo who enjoys mysteries that are more intellectual and less “scary”.
These are the first two books in the Sherlock Sam series, and were provided to me by the publisher in a two-in-one set.
Samuel Tan Cher Lock, aka Sherlock Sam, is the “Greatest Boy Detective in Singapore”, so says his best friend Jimmy. In the first book of the Sherlock Sam series, Sam, his friends, and his trusty robot sidekick, Watson, are on the search for a missing cookbook. The cookbook is a treasured heirloom belonging to Auntie Kim Lian, but more importantly, Auntie can’t make Sam her delicious ayam buah keluak without it!
In the second book, Jimmy is excited to find an unknown sallyport (Jimmy port!) during a class trip to Fort Canning. That is until the ghostly moans start. Can Sherlock Sam and Watson convince his friends (and possibly his father) that ghosts aren’t real?
These books are a lot of fun, and educational to boot. The author shares Singaporean customs and culture, and kiddos who consult the glossary of the book may pick up some Chinese. Additionally, Sam and his dad love science, and there are several science-y teaching moments throughout each book. The mysteries are low key, with little to no danger quotient. Sam has a great relationship with his father, which especially shines through in the second book, as they go to Fort Canning together to investigate the ghostly moans. Sam’s sidekick robot, Watson, has a dry sense of humor which he dispenses in robotic tones and somehow that makes his jabs at Sam even funnier. I would recommend this book to any kiddo who enjoys mysteries that are more intellectual and less “scary”.
3dotsforme's review
2.0
I won this through a Goodreads giveaway.
Cute, but over simplistic in ways - best suited for grades 2 to 3. Author would have benefited from defining words and phrases within the novel rather than a glossary at the end of the book. I personally found it frustrating to have Malay words scattered throughout without any idea of what Sherlock was talking about unless I flipped to the back which completely disrupts the flow. I can only image how this would work with many kids who wouldn't bother with the glossary and simply give up. It is such a missed opportunity to teach kids outside of Singapore about a different culture.
Cute, but over simplistic in ways - best suited for grades 2 to 3. Author would have benefited from defining words and phrases within the novel rather than a glossary at the end of the book. I personally found it frustrating to have Malay words scattered throughout without any idea of what Sherlock was talking about unless I flipped to the back which completely disrupts the flow. I can only image how this would work with many kids who wouldn't bother with the glossary and simply give up. It is such a missed opportunity to teach kids outside of Singapore about a different culture.
andreabeatrizarango's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I've had the first two books from this illustrated series in my classroom library for months, but I finally picked them up and read them myself.
Can I just say how much I adored Sam's character? He's smart and funny and inquisitive, and I love that the Watson to his Sherlock is a robot he built himself. Truly, the only thing I didn't like was how much Sam's mom, sister, and robot teased him about his weight and appetite. Eliminate the fat shaming and this series would be *perfection*. (And maybe it's something that's addressed in future books?) Either way, if you are sharing these stories with a kid in your life, please make sure to have an honest convo about bodies and food, and let them know that just cause it's family saying the comments, that doesn't make it ok.
That being said, check this series out if you like:
🤖 Kid Detective Books (like a cooler Encyclopedia Brown)
🤖 Books Set Outside the US (Singapore)
🤖 10-Yr-Old Asian MC
🤖 Tasty Food Descriptions
🤖 A Sentient Robot
🤖 Books That Easily Work for 2nd-5th Graders
Has anyone else read this series? I've heard rumors an animated adaptation might be in the works 👀
Can I just say how much I adored Sam's character? He's smart and funny and inquisitive, and I love that the Watson to his Sherlock is a robot he built himself. Truly, the only thing I didn't like was how much Sam's mom, sister, and robot teased him about his weight and appetite. Eliminate the fat shaming and this series would be *perfection*. (And maybe it's something that's addressed in future books?) Either way, if you are sharing these stories with a kid in your life, please make sure to have an honest convo about bodies and food, and let them know that just cause it's family saying the comments, that doesn't make it ok.
That being said, check this series out if you like:
🤖 Kid Detective Books (like a cooler Encyclopedia Brown)
🤖 Books Set Outside the US (Singapore)
🤖 10-Yr-Old Asian MC
🤖 Tasty Food Descriptions
🤖 A Sentient Robot
🤖 Books That Easily Work for 2nd-5th Graders
Has anyone else read this series? I've heard rumors an animated adaptation might be in the works 👀
jennybeastie's review
4.0
Fun mystery set in Singapore, with a smarty kid and his sidekick robot and a whole crew of interesting family members. Some of the family connections are confusing (I think maybe all older ladies are called Auntie? And apparently any child of the family would call an older lady Mama, even is she is grandmama not mom?) but I liked that about the book -- the food focus and the cultural heritage is part of what make it interesting.
bookstacksamber's review
3.0
This was a cute mystery for kids. Sherlock and his robot Watson were really entertaining. I didn't understand any of the Malay words so I was confused about a lot of things. I realized after I finished the book that there was a glossary at the end with explanations for all of that, along with character descriptions. It would have been nice if those were at the beginning of the book, or at least a note at the beginning to notify readers that they are at the end.