The Tiara on the Terrace

Gr 4–6—The annual Luna Vista Winter Sun Festival is right around the corner, and Grace Yang and Sophie Young are thrilled to be working as pages. Helping to set up the floats and accessorizing the Festival Royal Court provide the girls with plenty of freedom, and when Mr. Steptoe, the festival president, is found murdered, they decide to get to the bottom of the crime. There are a host of interesting sidekicks and festival-queen wannabes adding high jinks and drama, as well as another murder to complicate the situation. Sophie and Grace face many ups and downs in this case, including issues of what it means to be a loyal friend. Their theories on the murderer are constantly tested, but these seventh graders never quit. While the plot walks the line of silly and saccharine, it will delight middle grade readers with its spirit of fun and friendship. Amanda Philipson's narration is upbeat and at times hilarious, though the wide range of voices, while amusing, may also prove distracting.