SOLVED. Middle grade or YA: No memory of plot details, but it featured the counting crows rhyme. Possibly girl(s) solving mystery? [s]

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I don't remember when I read the book, probably late 80s early 90s. I don't remember anything about the author or the plot or anything else at all. But there was a girl with a couple brothers (or maybe a few) and their father. (Maybe two girls, because I think the narrator was a guest visiting the family, and she was in awe of the girl with the brothers? I may be misremembering. Might just be the one girl.) There is some sort of mystery adventure (I think). Crows keep showing up around the place, and I think there are prophetic goings on regarding the birds, based on the rhyme. (I think things turn out to have a non-supernatural explanation, but I'm not sure. I don't even remember what the issue is.)

The only two clear details I remember are that at one point, the girl (or one of the girls) notes that in the scheme of the rhyme, boys are better than girls (she is annoyed). And toward the end of the book, another adult character tells the girl that she is actually her dad's favorite, and he has to 'bend over backwards' to keep from showing how proud of her he is in front of her brothers. This is a surprising revelation to her.

That's it, that's all I remember. Sorry I don't have better clues for you sleuths out there. I would love to re-read this one. Any help is much appreciated. Here's a version of the rhyme:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told.
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird,
You must not miss

From Wikipedia, which unfortunately does not mention the book I'm looking for: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for...

[Tab]

Do you remember the time period/location the story takes place?

Anything about the cover?

[Amy (Other Amy)]

It was contemporary, probably somewhere in America as I'm pretty sure it was crows, not magpies. Otherwise, nothing. No memory of the cover or author.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Bump

[Laina]

There's a remote chance it's an Agatha Christie - she had a few Poirots that were titled with and somehow incorporated nursery rhymes. I don't recall this one, and I've read most of the Poirots - but there were a few my library didn't have, so I may have missed this one. It's worth a look!

Before you rule it out based on the children, there was at least one other Poirot written with children as main characters - Hallowe'en Party.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I'm pretty sure I'd remember if it was one of the Poirot stories; I read quite a few of them. I'll look at the title you mention to see if the narrative seems familiar, though. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Will]

Hi. I had a look for your book but couldn't place it. just so you know. the rhyme is about Magpies rather than crows. they're different birds entirely. Black white and blue markings rather than just black. The rhyme started because magpies mate for life so to see one by itself is considered unlucky. In England we salute the bird to ward off trouble.
Not the answer you were looking for but hopefully it helps.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

The rhyme was originally about magpies but in America it's often switched to crows as they're more common here, which is why I'm pretty certain the book is set in America. Much thanks for looking.

[Karen Beaudrie]

I think you're looking for The Secret of the Seven Crows by Wylly Folk St. John. It was a big favorite when I was younger. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...

[Amy (Other Amy)]

That looks really promising, Karen! Thank you. I put in a request for an interlibrary loan, so I should be able to find out really soon if it's the one. I'll let you know.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Karen, my interlibrary loan for The Secret of the Seven Crows arrived yesterday and this is the book I was looking for. Thank you so much!

[Karen Beaudrie]

I'm so glad it was the right one! And you're very welcome! :)