Drew LeClair Gets a Clue - by Katryn Bury (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this modern take on Harriet the Spy, twelve-year-old Drew uses her true crime expertise to catch the cyberbully in her school--only to discover that family, friendship, and identity are the hardest mysteries to solve.

Drew Leclair knows what it takes to be a great detective. She's pored over the cases solved by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto. She tracked down the graffiti artist at school, and even solved the mystery of her neighbor's missing rabbit. But when her mother runs off to Hawaii with the school guidance counselor, Drew is shocked. How did she miss all of the clues?

Drew is determined to keep her family life a secret, even from her best friend. But when a cyberbully starts posting embarrassing rumors about other students at school, it's only a matter of time before Drew's secret is out.

Armed with her notebooks full of observations about her classmates, Drew knows what she has to do: profile all of the bullies in her grade to find the culprit. But being a detective is more complicated when the suspects can be your friends. Will Drew crack the case if it means losing the people she cares about most?

• A Modern Harriet the Spy: Drew Leclair is always watching, filling her notebooks with observations to solve any mystery. But her biggest case starts when her own secrets are threatened.
• True Crime for Kids: Inspired by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto, Drew uses real detective techniques to track down a cyberbully.
• Friendship and Family Drama: While Drew investigates her classmates, she's also hiding a huge secret: her mom just ran off with the school guidance counselor.
• Puzzle-Solving Mystery: When the suspects could be your friends, cracking the case gets complicated. Can Drew find the truth without losing everyone she cares about?

Review Quotes

"The perfect story for a kid who wants a little more than just a mystery about a school cyberbully. Readers who are ready to progress from Nancy Drew (who the main character was named after) but are not quite ready for One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus will enjoy this book." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"There's... [a] level of well-handled emotional realism in this appealing, thought-provoking work." - Kirkus Reviews

"OBSERVATIONS:

• This book is captivating, heartwarming, and deeply clever.
• The mystery kept me on my toes.
• Drew is perfectly imperfect--a whip-smart delight.

CONCLUSION: It would be a crime to miss Drew Leclair Gets a Clue!" --Lauren Magaziner, author of the Case Closed series

"Highly recommended for fans of Nancy Drew (Drew's namesake) and those who appreciate the blending of realistic problems and mystery." - Booklist (starred review)

"The mystery comes to a satisfying conclusion...but the story really shines when she begins to process the feelings she's been avoiding. Does she want her mother to come back or not? Does she like boys or girls? Does she trust her friends? Drew digs deep and talks everything through." - New York Times Book Review