Mystery of the Missing Luck. (Orca Echoes). Jacqueline Pearce. Illustrated by Leanne Franson. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2011. 61 pp., pbk., $6.95. ISBN 978-1-55469-396-2. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by Barb Taylor. ****/4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

In her fourth novel, Mystery of the Missing Luck, Jacqueline Pearce gives young readers a gentle, interesting tale of a young girl as she delves into the mystery of a missing cat. The cat is actually a lucky cat statue, �Maneki Neko,� that graced the window of her Japanese-Canadian grandmother�s bakery.

     The grandmother�s bakery has fallen on hard times, and Sara, the main character, thinks the return of the cat statue may be the answer to her grandmother�s problems.

     The grandmother�s bakery has fallen on hard times, and Sara, the main character, thinks the return of the cat statue may be the answer to her grandmother�s problems.

     �No!� Sara said. �You�re not old, Obaachan!�

     Obaachan smiled. �Maybe not so old,� she said. �But I can�t keep baking if there are no customers to bake for.�


     Along with elements of mystery and hints of magical happenings, young readers will enjoy the close relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter. Sara�s school chum, Jake, helps her in her search while discovering and enjoying the delightful pastries and buns Sara�s grandmother bakes for her customers.

     Mystery of the Missing Luck is fast paced and easy to read for a younger audience, without compromising on the mystery, suspense and relationships that make this a successful story.

     The pen and ink illustrations by Leanne Franson capture the emotions and pace of the story in an appealing manga-style.

     I would recommend this book as a first chapter book or a read-aloud book for young students.

Highly Recommended.

A resident of Black Diamond, AB, Barb Taylor is an elementary school teacher-librarian and freelance travel writer.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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