Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective - by Janet Tashjian (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee - From the creators of the bestselling My Life series comes a fresh and funny story about Hannah Sharpe--an observant young sleuth on the autism spectrum who likes to solve mysteries by drawing cartoons of her cowboy alter ego, Dusty Pickle--in this colorfully illustrated adventure featuring full-color art on every page.

Young cartoonist Hannah Sharpe has many strengths: she's curious, creative, has an amazing memory, and most important--she notices things. When Doug Williams moves into her family's Airbnb, Hannah can't shake the feeling that he's got something to hide. But his girlfriend, Remy Furtado, couldn't be nicer or more helpful. As Hannah investigates, often with her sketchbook in hand, she makes a series of unsettling discoveries involving stolen packages, changed keypad codes, and hidden stacks of cash. Can Hannah crack the case and unfold the mystery on her own?

Including full-color illustrations with panel art featuring Hannah and her cartoon alter ego, Dusty Pickle, here is a thoughtful and propulsive new book starring a neurodiverse protagonist.

"Included are illustrations explaining how Hannah thinks and reacts, minicomics, and an author's note explaining that her son, the illustrator of this novel, is on the autism spectrum.... This is an inclusive, fun addition to the middle-school mystery field." ―Booklist

"Hannah is a lovable, relatable protagonist.... Her story provides some clever lessons on life's grey areas, which are universally frustrating (even if they manifest differently for all of us)." --School Library Journal

"Hannah Sharpe is courageous, smart, talented, and funny. " --Ethan Long, award-winning creator of The Death and Life of Benny Brooks

Review Quotes

Praise for Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective:
A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

"An autistic 11-year-old who's considered the class sleuth practices her investigative knack in this illustrated series starter from mother-son duo the Tashjians (the My Life series).... Hannah's openhearted voice adds myriad details about her neurodivergent experience (drawn, per an author's note, from Jake Tashjian's own life), while comics interstitials--both Dusty Pickle episodes and interpersonal experiences--add humor to the straightforward narrative."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for the My Life series:

* "Give this to kids who think they don't like reading. It might change their minds."--Booklist, starred review on My Life as a Book

"Hannah Sharpe is courageous, smart, talented, and funny as she navigates the complexities of the mystery at hand, as well as her life on the autism spectrum. Bravo to Janet and Jake Tashjian for making Hannah Sharpe a role model not just for the neurodiverse but for neurotypicals, too."

--Ethan Long, award-winning creator of Scribbles and Ink; Up, Tall and High; and The Death and Life of Benny Brooks

"In their signature style, Janet writes and Jake illustrates Hannah's story as she sleuths her way to solving a local crime spree while navigating the mire that is human communication. The prose is light, direct, and engaging.... Heartfelt creators' notes further emphasize the book's clear message that Hannah's experience is not that of everyone who has ASD, representation is vital, and being autistic is not a bad thing! ... Hannah is a lovable, relatable protagonist. Her story provides some clever lessons on life's grey areas, which are universally frustrating (even if they manifest differently for all of us)."

--School Library Journal

* "A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review on My Life as a Book

"When her teacher takes an indefinite leave of absence, Hannah doesn't think any of the coping skills [that] will help navigate such a big change. On top of that, there's a mystery of why the school's plants aren't doing well, plus a string of porch pirate robberies in her neighborhood. Hannah may not be good with social skills, but her pattern recognition might just be what these cases need.... Included are illustrations explaining how Hannah thinks and reacts, minicomics, and an author's note explaining that her son, the illustrator of this novel, is on the autism spectrum. This is an inclusive, fun addition to the middle-school mystery field, perfect for readers who need a little extra help moving to typical chapter books."--Booklist

About the Author

Janet Tashjian is the author of the bestselling My Life series, illustrated by her son, Jake Tashjian, which includes My Life as a Book, My Life as a Cartoonist, My Life as a Gamer, and My Life as a Youtuber. Janet is also the author of the Einstein the Class Hamster series, illustrated by Jake Tashjian, and the Sticker Girl series. Janet and Jake live in Los Angeles.