The Case of the Forest Fingers: Book 1

Gr 4-6–In their first ever case, the Mystery Science Detectives dash off to retrieve a ball and uncover the truth about a creepy cabin and the fingers which terrified their client. As they make their way through the dark forest, Kihan, Hannah, Terry, and mascot cat Kkamif demonstrate how their skills and personalities contribute to the group dynamic. Any supernatural aspects quickly peel away through their observations and explanations of the natural causes. While the case itself is something befitting the age of these fourth and fifth graders, the artist plays up the enthusiasm and thrills through their expressive features and other characteristics found in manhwa. In between chapters, the Mystery Science Detectives provide additional facts, as well as activities for readers. As many of these are scientific in nature, they do contain more advanced words and concepts to both challenge and educate. Unlike the rest, which is digitally hand-drawn and colored, these parts wisely switch to photographs that can be thoroughly examined.