Wallace and Grace Take the Case

by Heather Alexander, Laura Zarrin (Illustrator)

This charming mystery series in the Read & Bloom line will be the perfect pathway to chapter books like Cam Jansen or Fancy Nancy, Super Sleuth.

The Read & Bloom line offers high interest, character driven stories for newly independent readers that feature full-color illustrations throughout and will transition kids from leveled readers to a lifetime of reading.

In this delightful series, kids will be treated to simple whodunit mysteries as an utterly delightful owl duo put their heads together. In their first adventure, Wallace and Grace meet a rabbit who is sure he saw a ghost! But the clues lead them in a different direction. Something is spooking the garden . . . Can Wallace and Grace solve this case?

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Animals, Chapter Books, Fiction, Juvenile, Friendship

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2016

Reviews

[Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute. The mystery is a nice and safe one. The illustrations are nice.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Cute enough story, but definitely far below the interest level of my seven-year-old. Not enough of a mystery for her to solve, she had it figured out on the first page of the mention of the ghost.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: "The sun is going down!" called Grace. "It's time to get up!"

Premise/plot: Wallace and Grace are detective owls; they are the owls behind the Night Owl Detective Agency. In this first book in the series, readers meet Wallace and Grace. Edgar, a rabbit, hires these two because he's super-worried there's a GHOST IN THE GARDEN. Is there a ghost in the garden? If it's not a ghost, what is it? Will Wallace and Grace see the ghost and discover the ghost's identity?

My thoughts: This is an early chapter book. There are four chapters. The text size is large, and it has a good amount of illustration. I think Grace is an adorable owl. I'm glad that there are new mystery series being written for young readers.

[Leah Delcamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute beginner chapter book with two owl detectives that solve mysteries. This series can definitely be read out of order or each as a standalone. Our family has enjoyed the ones we have read so far, this one included.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little one loves owls, so she was delighted to read a book about two owl detectives. Wallace and Grace Take the Case is a lovely way for this series to begin.

Wallace and Grace run the Night Owl Detective Agency. One night, Edgar the Rabbit asks the two detectives for help. He says there is a ghost in the garden and he wants them to make it go away. Wallace and Grace are initially not sure they want to take the case. Ghost hunting is not what they do, after all. But they decide that Edgar needs their help, and detectives always help when they are needed.

The two owls use teamwork and friendship to try to solve their case. Together, they are brave and search for the ghost in the garden. Wallace and Grace model how partners can work together as a team.

As we read Wallace and Grace Take the Case, my daughter gathered the clues with Wallace and Grace and was proud to solve the mystery before they did. When Wallace and Grace reached the conclusion we had, my daughter happily called out: “See!” The book kept her engaged from beginning to end.

We read Wallace and Grace Take the Case because I received an advance reader copy in exchange for my unbiased review of the book. We will be looking out for the next books in the series because we are excited to see what adventures Wallace and Grace have next!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet, charming (very) early chapter book with a very light mystery and two cute owls. I'll keep it in my back pocket for people looking for Mercy Watson readalikes or things at a similar level. One of the owls really likes big words and the way they are dropped in the text and then explained makes this a great vocabulary builder, as well.

I read this looking for books to bring on school visits for 3rd graders. Even though it's a lower level than I was thinking it would be, I still might bring it--for a struggling reader it's a good chapter book to grab, and for a reader who likes animals and is reading at grade level, they'll be able to read it very quickly and successfully.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wallace and Grace, birds-of-a-feather partners in the Night Owl Detective Agency, love solving mysteries. When Edgar the rabbit asks for help in finding and banishing a ghost in the garden, the sleuths take the case and begin asking questions and gathering clues. The unexpected culprit is exposed through clues in Alexander’s clever text and Zarrin’s detailed colored-pencil and Photoshopped illustrations. Enticed by its interesting plot, clever dialogue, short and snappy chapters, and enriching vocabulary (such as quandary and investigation), young readers will want to continue solving mysteries alongside these owl friends in Wallace and Grace and the Cupcake Caper (2017) and Wallace and Grace and the Lost Puppy (2017).

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace, full of energy, and Wallace, who likes to follow the rules, are best friends. Together, they are
Night Owl Detective Agency.

Their first case? Edgar, a rabbit, is sure that he saw a ghost while he was eating kale in the garden. Grace asks questions and Wallace takes notes as they investigate something white, that floats and makes a spooky noise. Following their rule "The case is not over until everything makes sense," Grace and Wallace uses clues and deductive reasoning to solve the case.

A nice mystery for early chapter book readers. Definitely fills a need in my collection.

[Alissa Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay beginning chapter book. I felt that the plot seemed a little shallow and scattered. The characters and illustrations were cute, but the short copy sentences made it hard to follow. There was a smattering of showing friendships, teaching big words, finding clues, introducing the characters’ interests, etc. too many things they were trying to include in a choppy manner which made the experience a little less enjoyable and fluid. My first grader enjoyed it, but it’s not a series that I would purchase.

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved Wallace and Grace and immediately became detectives after reading this story. This series by Heather Alexander will be a great addition to the early readers group as they transition to reading independently. The large print and colorful illustrations drew the reader in and made it easy for them to read and enjoy. Wallace and Grace will certainly be a series I encourage young readers to get their hands on!

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallace is good at thinking and finding things while Grace likes saying facts and using big words. Together, they make one terrific detective team. When Edgar the Rabbit asks them to get rid of a ghost in his garden, Wallace and Grace discover everything is not all as it seems. Is there really a ghost in the garden?

Recommended for grades 2-4. Lexile Level: 490
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Read & Bloom mystery series. Wallace and Grace are two owl detectives. Their rabbit friend Edgar is afraid he’s seen a ghost. After some debating Wallace and Grace decide to take the case and hunt down the ghost.
Nice, easy mystery that is not scary. The story also introduces readers to some difficult vocabulary words like courageous. Recommend to readers inbeteen easy reader and chapter book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable series with two owls detectives who love solving mysteries. Wallace and Grace show us how to take notes with bullet points, how to ask questions and how to cooperate as they help their rabbit friend find the ghost in the garden. The illustrations are wonderful and help tell. the story for those non-readers enjoying the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for sending me the digital copy.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great gift for young detectives, this easy-to-read chapter book lets early elementary readers help solve the case. Rabbit has seen a ghost in the garden. Or has he? The careful logic of Wallace and Grace's investigation helps young detectives sharpen critical thinking skills and potrays good friends using their strengths to help each other. Reviewer #3

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple language with plenty of color pictures, the occasional harder words are made clear from the context and the pictures. A simple, gentle, slightly spooky mystery (the "ghost" ends up being a mama cat bringing a sheet from the clothesline to make a bed for her kittens), so this is good for grades 1-2

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 4 year old son and it was a fun early chapter book full of colorful pictures on every page and some new vocabulary. It was fun to have the story be a mystery and to have him learn how to investigate and look for clues. It's a very easy mystery to solve, but I think it was just at the right level for him.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun mystery series for advanced early readers! The chapters are short and full color images are on every page, similar to Mercy Watson. Recommended for younger kids and early school-age.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. It's so easy to get my class invested in these characters. They love to listen to the books in this series. They try to solve each mystery as the story goes along.

Then, it is a great starter series for them to read on their own. If you are looking for early chapter books for young readers, give this series a try! You will love it.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super cute. The perfect ratio of words to pictures for my four year old. It was something we both enjoyed reading together and we both chuckled several times. He could follow along and learn new words too! It is a great transition book from picture books to chapter books. The only downside is he always wants to read it all in one sitting haha.

[Donna Dobihal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Mercy Watson level books and Owl Diaries, this is a winner! Two charming owl detectives solve mysteries for their neighbors. Lots of opportunity for prediction-making, plenty of colorful pictures.

[Katie French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun children's book that I enjoyed reading. They have a series that include different cases as well that I really want to take a look at! I recommend this to anyone who is around children or has children.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cutesy beginning chapter book. Nothing about the story particularly grabbed my attention, but the owls are cute and the mystery might satisfy young readers although I felt it was a little bit to basic for the reading level.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Alexander has written an enjoyable beginners mystery for beginning independent readers. Young readers will enjoy her owl detectives, Grace and Wallace as they help their friend solve a mystery. This story would be great for an adult and child to read by taking turns.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wallace and Grace at the Night Owl Detective Agency look for clues and solve mysteries together. Simple story, great choice for a first chapter book. Mystery may be too easy to guess for older kids, but ok for newly independent readers around 6 years old.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to my kindergarten daughter. Edgar, the rabbit, has spotted a ghost and it is up to best friends and detectives Wallace and Grace to solve the case! Both Wallace and Grace have very different personalities and approaches for this adventure and it's great to see friends have differences!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet transitional chapter book for children whose attention span is increasing. The illustrations are colorful and invite the reader into this fantasy mystery story.
Read aloud to JK, Kindergarten. The story line may be too simple for 1st graders whose are able read it independently?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The owl detectives Wallace and Grace try to solve the case and figure out "whoo-done-it" when a rabbit named Edgar thinks he hears and sees something spooky in the garden. Cute and fun for early elementary readers, with an emphasis on finding clues and using the facts to investigate.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so darling!! Perfect for young readers. I loved the mystery aspect, it is very interactive. I also like the way more difficult words are explained. Expanding young people's vocabulary is always a good idea.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beginning chapter book. Love the introduction of bigger vocabulary words with their meanings following.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute beginning chapter book and the start to a new series. The illustrations are adorable and the text is good for kids ready to move beyond a beginning reader.