Raising Arcadia

Gr 6 Up—Arcadia Greentree, a 16-year-old student at the exclusive Priory School, is surrounded by mysteries, beginning with the disappearance of her sort-of friend Henry. Through her uncanny powers of observation and deduction, honed by puzzles, Arcadia collects a great deal of information about the people around her, even if she isn't quite able to connect all that she notices. But can she apply her unusual insights to herself? How much of her life has been a carefully constructed lie? First-time novelist Chesterman creates an engrossing story that keeps readers chasing the truth. Arcadia is strikingly similar to Sherlock Holmes, with her sharp assessment of people's problems, her love of the violin, and her smug, equally intelligent older brother. At the same time, her endearing brashness is reminiscent of Sophronia Temminnick's in Gail Carriger's "Finishing School" series. A full cast of secondary characters, from well-meaning parents to a mysterious headmaster, help to move Arcadia along on her journey of discovery. A graphically depicted murder might challenge sensitive readers.