The Case of the Pilfered Pin

Gr 3-7–A middle grade mystery set in Canada, with main characters who are First Nations people; this series installment can also be read as a standalone. Hutchinson, a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, has developed authentic, likable characters who seem like actual kids. The Muskrats are part of a close-knit extended family who work together to solve the mystery of a missing surveyor’s pin that will help the Windy Lake First Nations people prove their rights in a land dispute with Canadian citizens. The book is a learning tool that doesn’t gloss over the concerns and mistreatment the Windy Lake people face, and this book can help readers understand the overall history of First Nations people and reserved land. Readers just jumping into the series with this title will be eager to explore the other entries. The resolution wraps things up quickly, which may leave tweens craving a little more closure.