Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets

Flora Burlingame rated it *****
 If you have middle-graders who imagine themselves super sleuths, A Botanic Hill Detectives Mystery—Book 1, NUTMEG STREET: EGYPTIAN SECRETS is a good bet. Four thirteen-year-old amateur detectives of mixed heritage are determined to help a neighbor clear her late husband of a serious crime she knew he didn’t commit. During the development of the plot, kids learn about ancient Egypt, snake poison, a condition call synesthesia, with some Hawaiian words thrown in. Twists and turns and suspicious characters keep showing up to complicate things, but our clever protagonists keep on track, and eventually figure it all out. A fun map at the beginning helps visualize the locations, and the story ends enticing readers to look forward to a new adventure involving the four likable teenagers. Author Sherrill Joseph obviously did an amazing amount of research to include accurate details for her young readers. Soon to be released by Acorn Publishing. Look for it!

Holly Kammier rated it *****
 Kids, you're about to meet four new heroes! Join in the excitement as these cool teen detectives lead you on an unforgettable adventure into the world of ancient Egyptian treasures using smarts, technology, and teamwork to solve their challenging case. Parents and teachers, you'll appreciate the themes of friendship, honesty, and perseverance that make Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets a fun and valuable read.

PJ Colando rated it *****
 Nutmeg Street is a middle-grade read and rates all E's from me: exciting, entertaining, and exceptional in every way. It's educational, too, with word definitions and facts of ancient Egypt woven in. Four engaging characters co-lead to solve mysteries for others. What a hook!

RD Kardon rated it *****
 I loved everything about this book- the story, the setting and especially the characters. Sherrill Joseph has penned the perfect first novel of a series. The Botanic Hill Detectives are four smart, hard-working young sleuths who slice through this mystery involving a dead Egyptologist and a missing urn. Joseph’s fast-moving prose and sense of humor were delightful!

Barbara Rasmussen rated it *****
 Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets is a fascinating, informative, fun read about four junior detectives, who follow the clues to solve the mystery. The story is filled with facts and information about Egyptology, using authentic words with explanations of meanings following. The story includes enhanced comprehension devices such as a detective who loves to give definitions of words, another detective who uses authentic Hawaiian words, and a Hawaiian dictionary at the end. There is also a map of Botanic Hill for visual enrichment. Add these to a fun mystery, and you won't be disappointed.

KA Fox rated it *****
 A great read for all ages. If you loved Nancy Drew or Encyclopedia Brown, you'll truly enjoy this debut. Fun and action packed, it will keep readers' attention all the way through. A mystery that reminds us of the power of friendship and the importance of teamwork. Readers will be cheering for these four young detectives until the very end.

Sam Ashkenas rated it *****
 Sherrill Joseph has created characters so lovable and interesting that readers can't help but feel like they are personal friends. Lexi, Moki, Rani, and Lanny become four young detectives off to track down a sacred urn, but the lessons they learn extend far beyond an Egyptian artifact. This is a story of friendship and determination that will keep kids glued until the end.

Pamela McCord rated it *****
 In this first book in the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, 13-year-old detectives Lanny, Lexi, Moki, and Rani track down clues to find a stolen Egyptian urn. Accompany the four young detectives as they follow the trail, and their instincts, to find answers to all the mysterious events that make Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets such a fun read.

Bonnie Grover rated it ****
 Perfect for upper elementary and middle school students! In the first book in the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, four teenagers work together to solve the mystery of a missing Egyptian urn. I enjoyed learning about the Egyptology that was woven throughout the story.