The Vanishing Shadow

Reach for this book when your daughter or son feels like their voice isn't being heard or when they are itching for more independence in a world that feels overly protected. It is an ideal choice for the child who is beginning to question the status quo and needs a protagonist who models how to trust one's own observations even when adults are skeptical. Fifteen-year-old Judy Bolton is not your average vintage heroine. In this mystery, she tracks a literal and figurative shadow to uncover a fraud that puts her entire community at risk. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is timeless: it deals with the transition from being a child who follows rules to a young adult who seeks justice. It is a safe, wholesome, yet genuinely exciting entry point into the mystery genre for middle-grade readers who are outgrowing simple chapter books but aren't quite ready for the intensity of modern YA thrillers.