The Case of the Shady Neighbour

Reach for this book if your child has a flair for the dramatic, a tendency to jump to conclusions, or struggles to understand how their 'helpful' interference affects others. It is a perfect fit for the middle grade reader who loves a fast paced mystery but may need a gentle mirror to reflect on their own overactive imagination and social boundaries. Poppy Perry is a lovable but exhausting protagonist whose obsession with mystery novels leads her to make inaccurate accusations, forcing her family to move repeatedly. Through a series of humorous follies and a real life investigation, the story explores themes of friendship, the consequences of our actions, and finding one's place in a new neighborhood. It is an ideal choice for teaching empathy and the importance of evidence over assumptions, all wrapped in an entertaining, suspenseful adventure.