Open If You Dare my Dana Middleton was an excellent story filled with mystery, friendship, family and the challenges of being a tween girl. This was a book I couldn't put down. I wanted to know how the mystery of Girl Detective would end. The deep bonds of friendship between Rose, Ally and Birdie were wonderful to follow. The strength of the individual girls as well as how they communicated as friends was beautiful. The struggles of figuring out who you are as an individual, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbor and so much more were front and center throughout the story. This is a book I would highly recommend to many third through fifth grade students. I can't wait to book talk it on Monday!

One of the most realistic trio friendships I have read recently. The girls all have unique dynamic personalities. Minddleton created a vivid world in which these friends learn to navigate a difficult world.

Birdie and her best friends Ally and Rose are determined to make the most of their last summer together. Things are changing a little too fast for Birdie as she anticipates entering middle school all alone. Rose's family is moving back to England and Ally is going to a different school. When they discover a mysterious box Birdie becomes wrapped up in the mystery of it's contents. The summer begins to unravel as Ally looses her mojo on the pitchers mound, Rose tries to sabotage the sale of her house and Birdie stresses over the boy who sent her a Valentine while trying to solve the box mystery.

The character's choices are typical of this age group. Some bad decisions, sneaking around and rebellious behaviour. I liked Birdie's relationship with her sister Zora who she took care of, played with, taught, got frustrated and angry with, but really loved. The story line with the three boys and the pitching rivalry was fun. Friends, not friends, almost boyfriend/girlfriend, and competitors. What is typical of this emerging adolescent age group.

Fun read for young middle graders.

The was a sweet mg novel about how things change as children grow up. I liked the diversity within the characters, both the children and adults. In addition, the mystery was interesting. I did not like the times Birdie let Zora get hurt because she was too busy worrying about herself and her friends. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to be an early reader in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Birdie, Ally, and Rose have always been friends. Best friends. But big changes are coming as Rose's family is moving back to England, and Ally will go to a different middle school next year. Birdie dreads the changes as their final summer together begins.

When she finds a mysterious box buried on an off-limits island where the trio spends their time, Birdie dives into the clues for a long-ago murder. Ally and Rose are less agreeable, but they, too, are willing to go along ... for a while. Current-day life is more pressing than crimes from decades ago.

The three girls shine with individuality, and their friendship sparks many memories of lazy summers on the brink of those teenage years. The murder mystery is an unusual element in a coming-of-age story, but it's handled well and always firmly in the context of Birdie's own anxiety about all the changes coming her way.

Highly recommended for readers who crave realistic fiction, and also recommended for those who like some light mystery.

Birdie and her friends Ally and Rose have always hung out together, running through their neighborhood and setting up camp on a small island near their homes. When school is out, they spend their summer doing what they have always done, but with a sense of dread hanging over them. When 7th grade starts in the fall, Rose will be back at England and the other two will be at separate middle schools. Rose is irritated with her parents; she considers herself more American than British and doesn't want to leave her friends and return to wearing a uniform to school. She's also tired of being constantly expected to practice violin, and has a huge crush on a boy in their class, Romeo. Ally has her ups and downs on her baseball team, but Birdie is obsessed with a box that the girls have found on their island. It contained an Allman Brothers band concert ticket from 1973, a mood ring, and a cryptic notes saying that the writer, as well as someone else, was dead! Using the clues from the note as well as talking to neighbors, visiting a nursing home, and venturing to the public library, Birdie manages to uncover some information that leads her to believe there wasn't actually a murder, but discovers that solving the mystery is a good way to pass the summer (besides babysitting her younger sister Zora) and make her peace with the changes that the coming year will bring.
Strengths: I was close to Birdie's age in 1973, so I thought this one was fun. My best friend and I had a island in the woods where we set up a camp. Ten years ago, when my daughter was this age, she could have talked to original residents of our current neighborhood. There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about this. It wasn't a murder mystery, but it was charming, and the tween drama is very true to life. The twist at the end was fun as well. Very good conversation between Birdie and her mother about how Birdie feels she fits in as a child of a black father and white mother.
Weaknesses: A teenager would not have had a mood ring in 1973. They weren't produced until 1975, and they were on the expensive side. Also, I don't think a mood ring would still change colors after being in the damp ground for that long. They're pretty delicate. I can't believe a public library would store old books. It works out well for the mystery, but nobody has that kind of storage space. Children aren't going to know these things, but they also might not like the cover.
What I really think: Oh, like Beil's Summer at Forsaken Lake, I'll have to buy this one, and will recommend the heck out of it.