new companion.
Some times she was chatty
enough and would tell me
all kinds of things. And some
times she didn't walk to talk.
She seemed to be thinking
really hard.
Or not at all.
But I was there to play ball.
So I tried to accept I might
never know more about her."
Oh, my! I can't wait for the next book about Shirley and Jamila. Following this incredible debut, I can only hope there will be one. To say they are impressive and fascinating is definitely an understatement.
The two meet at a garage sale. Jamila is new to the neighborhood; she and her mother have come to check things out and meet the new neighbors. Shirley has coerced her mother into attendng with her need for various and intriguing items. It turns out that they are the same age, and this is about all they have in common. Jamila Waheed is obsessed with basketball. Shirley Bones is obsessed with observation. Her very astute comments about Jamila without knowing her at all are befuddling to Jamila, because they are true. As they get to talking, they realize that they have another thing in common ... their parents are intent on enrolling them in summer camps, deemed to keep them involved and out of trouble. Shirley is headed to dance camp, and Jamila is off to a science camp that both of her older brothers have attended. Neither is keen.
They strike up a friendship, convince their parents that together they will be safe. Jamila will get to play basketball at a nearby court, while Shirley will accompany her and stay with her every day.
“I’ll go with you to the basketball court on Robert Street every day. As long as we’re together, our mothers should let us go out on our own.”
What's in it for Shirley? We know she is very vigilant, and that is what she likes to do ... observe people and quietly watch what is going on around her. It turns out that Shirley is quite the sleuth; other kids come to her with problems they hope she can solve. The two girls get involved in a case of stolen objects and end up solving a complicated mystery, while helping other children. Jamila is not sure what to think about the trench coat-wearing Shirley. As they work together to solve the mystery, they learn much about the other and come to an understanding concerning their relationship.
Gillian Goerz has created credible characters whose story rings absolutely true. Kids who love mysteries will be charmed by the story, and fully involved in their working things out between them. The artwork is brimming with details of summer life. The constant movement, the setting, and the connections from one character to another are attention-getting and very satisfying.
There is no mystery to this new friendship. It takes work, and it is so worth it!
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