Tide Pool Troubles (Shelby & Watts #1)

by Ashlyn Anstee (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Shelby & Watts

There isn't a mystery that Shelby & Watts can't solve! They're saving the environment, one case at a time.

Meet Shelby & Watts! Shelby loves a good mystery. And her best friend, Watts, is never without his encyclopedia. When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit crab claiming that all the shells are missing from the beach, she and Watts are just the duo to help him. With Shelby's deductive skills and Watts's scientific knowledge, there's no case the two of them can't solve--one environmental mystery at a time!

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Kirkus

Models attention to detail and deductive reasoning in a fun beach setting, complete with interesting facts.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--The first book in a planned graphic novel series centered on best friends who solve environmental-themed mysteries. Shelby the fox fancies herself a budding amateur detective, the result of an intense "Detective Dahlia" series obsession; facts-oriented Watts the badger, on the other hand, looks forward to new volumes of the Encyclopedia of the World. When Mary the mail pug delivers a plea for assistance from Fred the hermit crab, Shelby and Watts travel to the seashore to figure out why seashells--which hermit crabs rely on for protection--are disappearing. Identifying the culprit will take ingenuity, deductive reasoning, and insight; luckily, our heroes are up to the task. The short narrative sets out to accomplish a lot--introducing Shelby and Watts, walking readers through the seashore mystery, and briefly setting up the environmental detective agency that is the premise of presumed future works. Colorful, minimalistic cartoons will connect best with younger audiences. However, despite the inviting illustrations, uneven pacing and tone, and an overreliance on scientific facts result in an uninspired story. Younger readers unfamiliar with the seashore might overlook the oversimplified mystery in favor of the information that Anstee provides on seagulls, barnacles, and other marine life. Many kids will find the tale tedious due to the obvious identity of the seashell culprit. Not even the amusing Sherlock Holmes allusions can elevate this chapter graphic novel. VERDICT Promising concept, disappointing execution. An additional purchase.--Pearl Derlaga, York County P.L., VA

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593205334
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication date
June 14, 2022
Series
Shelby & Watts
BISAC categories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV029010 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Environment
JUV008120 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Mystery & Detective
JUV008050 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Animals
Library of Congress categories
Beaches
Mystery and detective stories
Graphic novels
Foxes
Badgers
Shells
Cartoons and comics
Comics (Graphic works)
Hermit crabs
Tide pool animals
Tide pool ecology
Little Maverick Reading List
Selection 2022

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