a_ab's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how unapologetically awkward the main character was. And even believable in the setup somewhat despite the outrageousness of it. Short and deliciously no nonsense.
I liked that it was a book clearly aimed at teenage audience, but it also had some interesting undercurrent themes to engage older readers as well. It made me want to keep reading the series.
I liked that it was a book clearly aimed at teenage audience, but it also had some interesting undercurrent themes to engage older readers as well. It made me want to keep reading the series.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
5.0
The book is describing Friday as an 11 year-old Sherlock Holmes, and that is sort of correct. But she is not just that. She is a whole person herself.
If you are thinking, oh, this is sort of like Encyclopedia Brown, which is what I thought going in, you will be pleasantly surprised that it is not. The only similiarty is that there are usually simple mysteries that if you are observant you can solve as well. All but a few were like that, at least for me. Some, near the end, felt a little dues ex macina.
There are some great lines in the book, to give you a good idea of the humor, as well as the writing style.
See, if you didn't know this, you learned this now.
Another quote that I put aside for this was:
And don't be put off because the books were originally written and published in Australia. It has been "translated" for the most part, although there were little bits where I could tell it wasn't originally an American book (which is fine by me).
So, you are probably asking, what is the book about? Well, it is about an 11 year old girl solving mysteries. If I say much more than that, it takes away from the enjoyment of reading and enjoying the book, at least it would for me. Friday is very likable, despite not fitting in (or in spite of, because who really does fit in at school?).
And yes it is Middle School (as opposed to YA), but don't let that stop you. It is a quick (about 2 or 3 hours) fun read, and if you are burned out on YA or NA or whatever the current trend is, I would suggest picking this one up.
If you are thinking, oh, this is sort of like Encyclopedia Brown, which is what I thought going in, you will be pleasantly surprised that it is not. The only similiarty is that there are usually simple mysteries that if you are observant you can solve as well. All but a few were like that, at least for me. Some, near the end, felt a little dues ex macina.
There are some great lines in the book, to give you a good idea of the humor, as well as the writing style.
Friday had received an A+ for her presentation on Rosalind Franklin and how Watson, Crick and ovarian cancer had combined to cheat her out of a Nobel Price for her role in the discovery of the structure of DNA
See, if you didn't know this, you learned this now.
Another quote that I put aside for this was:
"Yes," said Friday. "The one thing Binky excels at is following instructions without thinking."
"He gets that from our father," said Melaine. "All the Pelly men are good at not thinking."
And don't be put off because the books were originally written and published in Australia. It has been "translated" for the most part, although there were little bits where I could tell it wasn't originally an American book (which is fine by me).
So, you are probably asking, what is the book about? Well, it is about an 11 year old girl solving mysteries. If I say much more than that, it takes away from the enjoyment of reading and enjoying the book, at least it would for me. Friday is very likable, despite not fitting in (or in spite of, because who really does fit in at school?).
And yes it is Middle School (as opposed to YA), but don't let that stop you. It is a quick (about 2 or 3 hours) fun read, and if you are burned out on YA or NA or whatever the current trend is, I would suggest picking this one up.
ceridwyn's review against another edition
4.0
charming story and heroine. definitely a hero for kids today with a nice line in intransigence and rule breaking for good reasons.
elleceeveee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Officially addicted! What a delightful character! I get some distinctive Hermione vibes 😆
ari_reading_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Enjoyable middle-grade book, albeit sometimes over the top.
Full Review pending.
Enjoyable middle-grade book, albeit sometimes over the top.
Full Review pending.
tcbueti's review against another edition
3.0
I snickered several times while reading this, mostly at things the spacy Melanie said.
But I have two major problems. First, the whole "he's mean to you because he likes you" idea that Melanie keeps insisting on, and that I hope the author will not pursue in further books. (Maybe Melanie is warped by her mother's avid reading of romance novels: she also thinks the gardener is in love with the biology teacher.) Ian Wainscott IS "Greek god" good looking, and Friday does have a physiological response to him at first, but then he's beastly to her and then they end up grudgingly helping each other. So maybe that relationship will develop into something more balanced.
But still: there's a LOT of talk throughout about the other silly, giggling girls at the school (who are mean), and even about one of them: "in days gone by she would have been slapped in the face for hysteria." The word "hysterical" is used numerous times, and the idea that girls are more likely to yearn romantically after a swamp yeti than be afraid of it.
But then there are throwaway lines like:
Melanie: It's like Shakespeare said.
Friday: He said a lot of things. You'll have to be more specific.
The later discussion of rhetorical questions between the struggling Friday and the headmaster is priceless. Fridays logic and deductive skills are very engaging, and her sidekick Melanie is a hoot.
Even though I didn't fully get exactly what was going on in the swamp, this was delicious fun. I just wish the author weren't so seemingly misogynistic. I had to check to confirm that R.A. Spratt is indeed a woman.
But I have two major problems. First, the whole "he's mean to you because he likes you" idea that Melanie keeps insisting on, and that I hope the author will not pursue in further books. (Maybe Melanie is warped by her mother's avid reading of romance novels: she also thinks the gardener is in love with the biology teacher.) Ian Wainscott IS "Greek god" good looking, and Friday does have a physiological response to him at first, but then he's beastly to her and then they end up grudgingly helping each other. So maybe that relationship will develop into something more balanced.
But still: there's a LOT of talk throughout about the other silly, giggling girls at the school (who are mean), and even about one of them: "in days gone by she would have been slapped in the face for hysteria." The word "hysterical" is used numerous times, and the idea that girls are more likely to yearn romantically after a swamp yeti than be afraid of it.
But then there are throwaway lines like:
Melanie: It's like Shakespeare said.
Friday: He said a lot of things. You'll have to be more specific.
The later discussion of rhetorical questions between the struggling Friday and the headmaster is priceless. Fridays logic and deductive skills are very engaging, and her sidekick Melanie is a hoot.
Even though I didn't fully get exactly what was going on in the swamp, this was delicious fun. I just wish the author weren't so seemingly misogynistic. I had to check to confirm that R.A. Spratt is indeed a woman.
tmcphetridge4's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! And I devoured it too! I read the whole thing in probably two hours, and I am sure that I could devour the whole series in a weekend. It is delightfully humorous, witty, and mysterious! They are a very fun and quick read that I recommend to as many people as I can.Â
fernandie's review against another edition
3.0
Warning: This one ends in a cliffhanger! Personally, I wouldn't start it unless you have book #2 ready to go right after.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
yusra_should_be_reading_rn's review against another edition
4.0
This is my third re-read of this series still good years later, I love this series so much