CM Magazine: Lu & Clancy's Crime Science. (Lu & Clancy).

________________ CM . . . . Volume VII Number 5 . . . . November 3, 2000

Lu and Clancy's Crime Science. (Lu & Clancy).

Louise Dickson. Illustrated by Pat Cupples.
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 1999.
40 pp., pbk., $5.95.
ISBN 1-55074-552-2.

Subject Headings:
Criminal investigation-Juvenile fiction.
Forensic sciences-Juvenile fiction.

Grades 3 - 6 / Ages 8 - 11.

Review by Meredith MacKeen.

*** /4

excerpt:

"YEEOOOOWL!!!!!
Lu pricked up her ears. "Sounds like a cat problem."
The yowling was coming from Kitty's. Empty milk bottles were scattered all over her porch.
"My breakfast, lunch and dinner! Gone!" she howled.
"Now now, Kitty. No use crying over spilled milk," said Clancy."

Lu and Clancy's Crime Science is another title in the "Lu and Clancy" series. This time, the two canine sleuths investigate a wave of puppy nappings, and readers are invited to collect the clues, like real detectives. The mystery solving activities are located in boxes very close to the appropriate clues and include instructions for various kinds of printing, such as finger, lip, foot, tire tracks and handwriting and hair analysis. This easy-to-read mystery story will especially appeal those children who are in the transition stage from picture books to novels.
    Both the illustrations and the puns add greatly to the humour of this story, and the plot line follows a series of events which leave sufficient evidence to collect the clues. The actual culprit is not introduced until the very end, and children would have no way of knowing about him, as he is not listed among the suspects. He turns out to be a lonely dog who merely wants company. The activities are clearly laid out with a list of what you'll need and a set of directions which are plausible for a child to undertake.
    Pat Cupples has created a series of cartoon-like animals with very expressive faces to entertain readers. They add greatly to the humour of the story.
    Overall, the book is recommended as both the illustrations and activities contribute in a unique way to its appeal. However, the plot is weak and would not be worthwhile without the enhancement of both the illustrations and activities.

Recommended.

Meredith MacKeen is the teacher-librarian at Glen Stewart Elementary School in Stratford, P.E.I.

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

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - November 3, 2000.