‘Maisy and the Missing Mice’ by Elizabeth Woodrum is a simply written story, yet contains more than enough intrigue to keep even adults readers focused and questioning motive.
Maisy, a fourth grader, loves solving mysteries. The only thing she may love more, or at least in equal proportion, is her cherry lollipops. When some mice, which serve as the school mascots, go missing, everyone just knows that Maisy will take the case. What she doesn’t bargain for, however, are the personal stakes mounted against her when her lollipops are stolen and her best friend’s little brother Vince has his just-pulled tooth stolen.
Maisy is a determined and headstrong character. Despite being in the fourth grade, she exudes confidence, but young readers will surely be very able to empathize with her as she struggles to figure out just who would be so mean as to steal a little girl’s lollipops right out of her school locker.
Even though the book was short, as it was written for a younger age range, the characters were developed well, the plot was completely satisfied by the end of the story, and the mystery was well-constructed. As an adult reader who loves to try to solve a mystery on her own now and again, I found the way that Maisy kept clues written down refreshing and definitely true to form for someone who wants to piece it all together.
My favorite part of the story, since I am someone who loves metaphors, symbolism, and all those other fun literary devices, is how Maisy’s world would turn to black and white, like in old mystery TV shows and movies, when she was solving a crime. It’s important to keep the mystery alive, much like Maisy does in this story, and having a vivid imagination and a keen sense of what makes your world interesting is what Elizabeth Woodrum has captured in Maisy and her adventures. The only item that I would have loved to hear more about is how Maisy solved the mystery that occurs just as the story is ending. I understand, though, why it ended that way. It gives something to look forward to as Maisy continues her whodunit adventures! I look forward to reading more about Maisy!
You can find ‘Maisy and Missing Mice’ by Elizabeth Woodrum here: http://amzn.to/1YFihB6