The Weird Sisters: A Robin, a Ribbon, and a Lawn Mower

by Mark David Smith, Kari Rust

Overview

Three sleuthing sisters find unanticipated self-acceptance in book two of this hilarious mystery series, now available in paperback

It’s summer, and the Weird Sisters are convinced that the residents of Covenly aren’t visiting their pet emporium—and newly opened detective agency—because the sisters are too strange. So they decide to try to fit in by letting nine-year-old Jessica Nibley teach them how to play on the swing.

They soon discover the town’s beloved tire swing lying on the ground with its rope severed. Who would do such a thing? And why? Jessica and the sisters are determined to solve the mystery. As they search for clues, they stumble onto a second mystery: the robin that nests at Chelsea Oh’s house has gone missing. So they plan to find both the robin and the swing vandal.

The second book in this whimsical chapter book mystery series is full of clever wordplay, humorous misunderstandings, and expressive illustrations. With hints of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this kid-empowering story encourages self-acceptance and open-mindedness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771477260
Publisher:	Owlkids Books
Publication date:	03/18/2025
Series:	Weird Sisters Detective Agency , #2
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

MARK DAVID SMITH is the author of the Weird Sisters Detective Agency series, The Deepest Dig, and Caravaggio: Signed in Blood. A public school teacher, he lives in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

KARI RUST is the author and illustrator of Tricky and The House at the End of the Road. Before she starting making children's books, Kari worked as an animation artist, and her hand-drawn images are full of warmth, style, and humor. A graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Kari lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

"Young readers who are transitioning from early readers to middle grade will appreciate the humour, the plotting and most definitely the characters."

CanLit for Little Canadians

2023-03-14
Three outcast sisters solve crimes.

Hildegurp, Yuckmina, and Glubbifer are perhaps the most unusual residents of the town of Covenly. Lacking a car, they travel by broom, and they run a pet emporium and a detective agency out of their home. Sadly, their neighbors are too spooked to visit—except for young Jessica Nibley. The sisters are depressed by their lack of business, while Jessica is at loose ends with school out for the summer. When Jessica, attempting to elevate everyone’s mood, takes them to the tire swing, they’re shocked to see the swing’s rope has been cut. In addition to using their Eye (a crystal ball attached to an old stick) to investigate and going undercover, they look into the case of a missing robin. Mishaps—and hilarity—ensue. Puns, charmingly eccentric characters, and Amelia Bedelia–esque misunderstandings on the parts of the well-meaning but clueless sisters (“Robin!” “We are not robbing”) result in an amusing book for readers transitioning into longer chapter books. Enticing black-and-white illustrations capture the spirit of this quirky tale. The mystery is simple but just right for the target audience. Readers will be left with wise guidance on the importance of self-confidence. The book ends with a recipe for seed cakes for robins. Race and ethnicity are generally left ambiguous in both text and artwork.

Punny, whimsical fun. (Fiction. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews