Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer (Shirley and Jamila #1)

by Gillian Goerz (Author)

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer (Shirley and Jamila #1)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

This middle-grade graphic novel for fans of Roller Girl and Smile introduces Jamila and Shirley, two unlikely friends who save each other's summers while solving their neighborhood's biggest mysteries.

Jamila Waheed is staring down a lonely summer in a new neighborhood--until she meets Shirley Bones. Sure, Shirley's a little strange, but both girls need a new plan for the summer, and they might as well become friends.

Then this kid Oliver shows up begging for Shirley's help. His pet gecko has disappeared, and he's sure it was stolen! That's when Jamila discovers Shirley's secret: She's the neighborhood's best kid detective, and she's on the case. When Jamila discovers she's got some detective skills of her own, a crime-solving partnership is born.

The mystery of the missing gecko turns Shirley and Jamila's summer upside down. And when their partnership hits a rough patch, they have to work together to solve the greatest mystery of all: What it means to be a friend.

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Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Goerz's debut, a Sherlock Holmes-tinged mystery set in Canada, follows 10-year-olds Jamila Waheed and Shirley Bones. Upon crossing paths at a yard sale, they realize they face a similar predicament: a boring summer spent at camps chosen by their mothers (science camp for Jamila, dance camp for Shirley). From there, a plan forms: as long as they're together at the nearby basketball court, basketball enthusiast Jamila can shoot hoops unsupervised while Shirley does her thing--engaging in strange undertakings and receiving visits from neighborhood kids. When a frantic boy asks Shirley to find a missing gecko, it turns out that Shirley's a well-known kid detective, one who solves "problems that adults can't or won't." Jamila can't stand by when someone needs help, and Shirley's crime-solving acumen proves interesting, so they leave the court, and the game's afoot. Their odd couple dynamic shines from the start, along with strong characterization and a vividly rendered neighborhood. Goerz's simple, expressive style lends itself well to a heartwarming whodunit that is, at its core, a story of friendship with a wonderfully inclusive cast. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Agent: Anjali Singh, Ayesha Pande Literary. (July)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6—When Jamila Waheed is dragged by her mother to a garage sale in her new neighborhood, she encounters Shirley Bones, and they bond over their mutual disgust for the summer camps that threaten to ruin their school vacation. Shirley manages to convince their moms to let them spend their summers on their preferred activities; soon, Jamila is playing basketball while Shirley carts around unusual objects and holds meetings on the side of the basketball court. As the two fifth graders spend more time together, Jamila becomes curious about Shirley's activities and learns that she is an amateur detective. Intrigued, Jamila becomes part of Shirley's investigation into a missing gecko, and the case takes the girls on a trek around their neighborhood and gives them a new understanding of friendship. Although Shirley takes top billing in the title, the story is told mostly from Jamila's point of view. This engaging tale features well-developed characters and a clever mystery. The cast of characters is diverse: Jamila is brown-skinned, and her mother wears a head scarf outside the house; Shirley is white; and the supporting characters come from a variety of backgrounds. Goerz's bright line drawings are attractive, expressive, and easy to follow. VERDICT This well-executed graphic novel strikes a balance between a focus on meaningful relationships and just plain fun; it's a great choice for fans of both the "Cam Jansen" books and Raina Telgemeier.—Sarah Reid, Four County Lib. Syst., NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Kirkus

Starred Review
Goerz is a master of character development, making no one into a villain and no one into a saint and giving each a fascinating role to play. . . . An action-packed graphic novel about finding--and forgiving--our closest friends

Review quotes

 
 
Gillian Goerz
Gillian Goerz is a Canadian illustrator, writer, and cartoonist. Her illustrations can be found in books such as Ryan North's choosable path adventures To Be or Not to Be and Romeo and/or Juliet. Her comics have been seen in The Walrus, Descant Magazine, and the Humber Literary Review with frequent collaborator and award-winning author Mariko Tamaki. CBC Books named Gillian's autobiographical comic "a highlight" of the anthology The Secret Loves of Geek Girls. She lives in Toronto, Canada.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780525552864
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Dial Books
Publication date
July 14, 2020
Series
Shirley and Jamila
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV008110 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Humorous
JUV008120 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Mystery & Detective
Library of Congress categories
Lost and found possessions
Lost articles
Friendship
Friendship in children
Graphic novels
Cartoons and comics
Comics (Graphic works)
Little Maverick Reading List
Selection 2021

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