With these highly relatable and fantastic characters, the story is never boring. We especially loved the generational connection between Grandpa and the kids. Sprinkled with humor and plenty of action, the pages will turn themselves. James Pointi is a natural middle-grade storyteller who weaves a story that is both inspirational and diverse. You’ll soon see why he’s a favorite of ours!

Does anyone write about smart, funny, quirky middle school kids as well as James Ponti does? I genuinely do not think so, especially when it comes to placing them in exciting, crime-solving adventures.

Mr Ponti's latest series centers on siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, who are inspired by their last name to start a detective agency. It actually begins with Alex deciding to start a school club with his best friend Yadi, revolving around puzzles and mysteries. They're joined by new girl Lina, and are enjoying an Escape Room party planned for them on the next-to-last day of school by the librarian when Zoe barges in. Alex tricks her into playing with them but she soon discovers that she actually likes puzzles. Almost as importantly, she thinks that she now has the perfect plan to monetize their skills over the summer.

Zoe desperately wants to make enough money to go to summer camp with her friends, so proposes starting a detective agency to the rest of the Sherlock Society. They're enthused, and recruit the Sherlocks' Grandpa to be their Director of Transportation and Logistics. Unfortunately for the budding agency's plans, Alex and Zoe's lawyer mom quickly shuts down the private investigation for hire part of their business as being unlicensed and far too dangerous. She relents, however, when it comes to investigating historical mysteries that may or may not come with hefty cash rewards.

Grandpa, being a former journalist, has loads of old mysteries for the kids to check out. After some research and discussion, the Society decides to look into the case of Al Capone's missing million. Legend has it that he buried a million dollars somewhere in Florida before his stint in Alcatraz. Finding it will bring the kids more than enough money to afford summer camp and more.

With Grandpa's guidance on best journalistic practices, the kids find some really exciting clues... but also uncover evidence of crime of an entirely different kind. Spurred by a greater desire for justice than for riches, the Sherlock Society takes on a case that could prove far more dangerous than even Alex and Zoe's mom ever feared possible.

This tightly-written, fast-paced Middle Grade thriller features four great kids, their very realistic families, and a truly intriguing, important mystery. Zoe's growth throughout the book is wonderful to read, as is the development of the other three young members of the Society. Grandpa is a hoot, and I loved how his struggle to be a responsible adult was so often superseded by his love of adventure.

There's also real depth behind this exciting tale. The kids learn how to approach investigative journalism responsibly, as well as how to deal with law enforcement and how to set up for documentary film-making. The emphasis on environmental issues is also really great without being at all heavy-handed. I really love Mr Ponti's City Spies series but think that this one might be even better -- tho perhaps I'm just saying that because I've actually managed to get in on the ground floor here. The kids of the Sherlock Society feel like real tho supersmart kids, with many of the same feelings, motivations and flaws as the average middle schooler. I would have absolutely devoured Mr Ponti's books as a child, and am so glad to be able to enjoy them as an adult regardless.

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti will be published September 3 2024 by Aladdin and is available for pre-order from all good booksellers, including <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15382/9781665932530">Bookshop!</a>

Thank you so much to NetGalley and James Ponti for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Sherlock Society coming out September 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was intrigued by the Sherlock references. I love mysteries! I think it was a really short and fun read. I loved the Scooby Gang vibes of the books. I think it’s perfect for middle and high school age. It was fun the kids had different strengths and they worked together to solve the mystery. I would read other books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries!

James Ponti does it again! THE SHERLOCK SOCIETY is a fabulous, funny, page-turning mystery perfect for middle grade readers!

Another fun and thrilling start to a new series by James Ponti. The Sherlock Society is a fast paced mystery with plenty of adventure while still being relatable for middle grade readers. My favorite part was the inclusion of so many different careers that were seamlessly woven into the story from journalism to movie production and more! I can’t wait to add these to my middle school library and start putting them in students hands. This would be a fantastic book club pick with so many opportunities for discussion. Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy!

Another instant classic from James Ponti! I couldn't put this one down! It kept me guessing the entire time and I loved how the first mystery evolved into the one that was ultimately solved. I loved the puzzles and all the random history about Florida. The grandad stole it for me. He was so funny and outrageous. I do hope they find Al Capone's treasure in one of the subsequent stories. I will definitely be following this series.

When your last name is Sherlock, what better way to make a few extra bucks than open up a detective agency. After all, what teenager would prefer jobs like mowing lawns, babysitting, or working at a fast food joint? Siblings Alex and Zoe along with a couple of friends look into a mystery that involves a mobster from the 1920s and 30s and may just run into a current day crime while investigating. Will they solve both mysteries and will they all stay out of jail in the end?

This fast paced middle grade mystery will keep readers entertained and entranced while reading. The characters are easily relatable and believable. This will be a first purchase for my middle school library.

** “The reward is doing what’s right, not what’s easy.” **

James Ponti starts off a new series with a bang in “The Sherlock Society.”

Facing boredom over the summer, siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock decide to start a Sherlock Society with their friends, Lina and Yadi, with transportation and research assistance from their grandfather, a former reporter.

Initially deciding to search for Al Capone’s alleged hidden million dollars somewhere near their home in Miami, their search ultimately switches gears, going after a local businessman who might be involved in some shady dealings.

Ponti does a great job of creating a fun and quirky cast of characters, building off the strengths and weaknesses of each other. He also fills the story with some great themes, like doing something for the right reason; fighting for the lost cause; “a mystery is nothing more than a story missing its ending”; and always do your homework and dig deep into the story (“Someone once told me that information only goes from trivial to significant when you add the meaning behind those facts.)”

“The Sherlock Society,” which is due out Sept. 3, will appeal to fans of James Patterson’s “Treasure Hunters” and “Minerva Keen” series, Trenton Lee Stewart’s “Mysterious Benedict Society” series, and Tom Phillip’s “The Curious League of Detectives & Thieves” series.

Five stars out of five.

Aladdin provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I am a sucker for James Ponti middle grade books! The Sherlock sisters, look for ways to earn money over the summer and settle on a detective agency..of course! With the help of two friends and grandfather, they start to investigate Al Capone, but stumble into a a huge local crime. For those of us who grew up with Nancy Drew and Encyclypidia Brown will love this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Aladdin for an ARC,

A very clever mystery/investigation book with four middle grade detectives and Alex and Zoe’s grandfather driving them around Miami. They start working a cold case from the grandfather’s files from his journalists. They make progress on Al Capone’s treasure, involving exploring the Everglades. I loved the descriptions of Miami and the Everglades. They also used good old-fashioned investigative tools like writing stuff down, and questioning people mixed with the internet and drones. The kids are great and interesting in their friendships and different backgrounds as well Alex and Zoe’s parents chipping in their expertise. A great mystery I would recommend to anyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for this DRC.
#TheSherlockSociety #NetGalley

Another knockout from James Ponti!

Once again Ponti does not underestimate kids' ability to understand complex and changing plotlines. This book will be well-loved by the middle grade readers at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.

I love the creative use of the adult characters to get the kids around the city and also out of tricky situations. He does a great job of allowing the kids to have wild adventures that every kid dreams of while not villainizing the adult and even casting them as important role models in the lives of the children.

Another key element that I really loved was the celebration of different abilities and inter-generational relationships. Each kid brought something completely unique to the table. The grandpa has his way of doing things and they mostly went along with it, but everyone was able to pivot when other methods were needed. Even Grandpa understood when a mixed approach was needed. The story thrived because of those inter-generational relationships.

I already can't wait for the next one in the series!

Not my favorite Ponti. Alex reads like if Florian from TOAST had less personality and was less precocious, and every time someone addressed him by name I had a moment of thinking, "Who's Alex?" I truly think my trouble connecting to the characters could be at least addressed had Zoe been the narrator - she was the one with the nice character arc who felt the most like a real person out of the kids.

I did like the way the plot went - when I thought it was just going to be "hunting down Al Capone's treasure," I was a little bored, but as soon as it got into actual environmental contamination I was more engaged! This is mostly, I think, because it grounds it in the real world and sends them into danger for a real reason rather than a frivolous one. This is something Ponti regularly excels at. I also knew a lot of the regulations and legal processes behind what the kids were looking into and did have a moment of thinking, "Ah, this is what my environmental policy degree is for: Understanding children's books."

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti is his newest middle grade novel (hopefully to be part of a series). In this book, four teens decide to start a detective agency over the summer instead of their regular summer jobs.

This was a fast paced adventure that I think middle grade students will really enjoy! There were also several themes that would make great discussion material if reading this as a class read aloud. Can’t wait for future books in this series!

James Ponti is a homerun hitter when it comes to understanding middle schoolers. While I am not usually a fan of mysteries, Mr. Ponti’s books are never a disappointment. This particular book appealed to me because of the intergenerational connection the kids had with the grandfather. I loved how he steered the kids in the right direction by always having them focus on the 5 W’s of journalism. If you are looking for an action-packed mystery that includes secret recordings, drones, explosions and good old fashioned sleuthing, I think you are going to love The Sherlock Society. Even though this is classified as a middle grade novel, I would recommend it for anyone 3rd grade and up.

James Ponti does it again -- an entertaining and informative story that my students will love! As a parent and teacher, I appreciate the appropriateness of the language and the friend and family relationships within the book.

Sherlock Society is going to be a series that seasoned James Ponti fans are going to be elated to have and it will also make new fans of anyone who hasn’t yet read a Ponti book!

Mystery, investigation, and a team of kids (and the fabulous grandpa) out to search for “treasure”, work through clues, and solve crimes… what’s not to love?! A “breakout” style game to set the stage for a clever set of kids, drones, explosions, interviews, journalistic strategies, and sneaking around all lead to excitement and pull the reader in.

Another hit middle grade title is “afoot”!

This was a fast-paced, fun mystery, and I was 100% there for it. I very much appreciated how real the characters and relationships felt, especially the development that Zoe exhibits. Is it far-fetched that four kid detectives would be able to outwit the feds? Yes. Did I care? No! Will kids care? Definitely not. The focus on asking the right questions, emphasis on doing research/homework, the grandfather, the parents.... all of it was just really well done! I can't wait to recommend this book to our readers: that opening scene will booktalk itself!

I'm a huge James Ponti fan. Our whole family has read the Framed series multiple times and I am always eager for another City Spies novel to be published. I was thrilled to see the beginning of another series, and to have it be Sherlock Holmes adjace, was an added bonus. This new mystery has Ponti written all over it - endearing characters, interesting setting, and his trademark big event then working back to get to that point in the story. I'm so looking forward to spending more time with the sherlock society as the series progresses.

When your last name is Sherlock what else are you going to do for a summer job besides start a detective agency? Of course! In similar James Ponti fashion, The Sherlock Society is an exciting adventure where middle schoolers take on the lead of problem solvers. I love the way this one starts with immediate action and then circles back around. The characters are natural and real (again, like Ponti’s characters in other books). They don’t always make the right choices the first time, they are human, but they learn and try to do better. Woven into the mystery story are wonderful themes of friendship, family, and being true to what you discover is right.

🖤BOOK REVIEW🖤
🔎The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fun series opener for young mystery lovers (or the young at heart mystery lover!). The Sherlock Society follows a group of young sleuths who form their own detective club, inspired by the legendary Sherlock Holmes. The young detectives are guided by their grandfather, a former journalist and investigator in his own right. As an adult reading this title, he was also my favorite character, offering comic relief and sleuthing insights!

Whether pre-teen, teen or adult, this is a fun read for any fan of the mystery genre.