 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Down the Rabbit Hole
- By Peter Abrahams
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
Teen puts herself in danger to solve crime.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Ingrid is a plucky, brave Sherlock Holmes fan who decides to solve a crime on her own. Parents and readers may be freaked out by some of her choices -- she is impulsive and dishonest, repeatedly putting herself in
danger. She lies to her parents, the police chief, and friends; she
sneaks out in the middle of the night and cuts class during the day -- and even copies homework. Mystery fans who are sophisticated enough not to take this dangerous behavior too literally will think her a modern-day Nancy Drew and be pleased to know that they can follow Ingrid into other books -- or be inspired to check out some other detective heroes.
What's the story?
One day when Ingrid is late for soccer practice she decides to run there, rather than wait for her mother to pick her up. She soon gets lost, and meets Cracked-up Katie, a local eccentric, who calls her a cab. The next day she finds out that Katie has been murdered, and realizes that she left her cleats at Katie's house. Worried that she will be implicated, she sneaks into Katie's house and takes back her shoes. But while there she discovers several clues that the police don't know about. When she finds out that the police have arrested two suspects who are probably innocent, she decides that, like her hero Sherlock Holmes, she must solve the murder herself.
Is it any good?
This is the first children's book by Peter Abrahams, a popular writer of adult mysteries, and it follows the teen-girl-detective formula pretty closely: plucky girl stumbles into mystery, decides to solve it herself rather than confide in adults, juggles mystery with school life, avoids being noticed by clueless parents, gets into mortal danger, solves mystery, explains it to police. It's basically Nancy Drew updated for the 21st century. Some parents may find it troubling that Ingrid is impulsive and dishonest, and repeatedly puts herself in danger by lying and sneaking around -- and some readers may be bothered by the tacked-on dramatic denouement. But fans who don't take this too literally will be pleased to know it is the first of a series and can follow Ingrid into other mysteries.
What families can talk about
Families can talk Ingrid's character. She often puts herself in danger and lies to people -- but she does ultimately solve a crime. Is she a hero in your eyes? In reviews of this book, Publishers Weekly called Ingrid "charming" and Kirkus says her "behavior will have readers both rooting and worrying for her simultaneously." Do you agree with either of these descriptions? What words would you use to describe her?
Also, the Common Sense Media review calls Ingrid a "Nancy Drew updated for the 21st century." If you've read those books, do you agree? What other detective teen books have you read? What's appealing about the idea of a teen spy or a teen detective?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Honest Abe
I think this book is somewhat inappropriate for this age group. I personally think it has too much drinking and bad language. I am sorry if you don't agree with me, but this is my opinion.
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AGE
for 11 and up because iy has a little language
i love this book because it has a mystery that made me want to read more and more
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AGE
Great Mystery, Bad Role-models!
This book was on my summer reading list and I can say I really enjoyed it. Although, in the beginning I found that the character of Cracked Up Kate wasn't a healthy role-model. At the very beginning of the book, Ingrid gets lost and goes into a total strangers house. Not a good idea! Ingrid does alot of things that most parents would find unacceptable. She lies, sneaks out, drives, interacts with strangers, etc. Near the end there is also a scene of where the bad guy is chasing Ingrid and trying to kill her which can be scary for some kids.
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AGE
Kids actually wanting to read MORE than is assigned? What...
I am a teacher who assigns this book, and although there is a mild language problem it is nothing to write home about. I only assigned 15 of the 30 chapters to my class and they read the whole thing. Most of them came to class and talked about how they couldn't put it down and how they were going to buy the next story. I assigned this at the end of the school year when it is hard to get them into much of anything let alone reading a novel, but they loved it! They stopped by my class to tell me how much they liked the book. Which incredibly prompted them to ask it I had the next one in the series. This was a month before summer break!
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AGE
not for my 12 year old.....
I did not think this book was appropriate for my 12 year old girl. I was surprised by the language. The main character lies to her parents (alot) and makes some very foolish decisions, but if she hadn't, there wouldn't be much of a story...
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AGE
Perfect for teens who want a good mystery, not for younger kids
Ingrid may lie but for good reasons. Ingrid also shows that teens can do things and be independent, this book is really good and suspensful. As a teen this book was awesome but some parents might not approve.
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AGE
Addictive series
I love this book and the sequels!! It is very interesting, and Ingrid is very likable despite the fact that she does lie some of the time. Besides, she solves a MURDER! That's a good thing. Anyway I would definitely recommend this book and the sequel
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AGE
A real page-turner
A great detective book. Intriguing, yet refined. The ending is very satisfactory. Mature topics call for mature readers. Mature 11 year olds, and 12 year olds.
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AGE
An Excellent Mystery, But Some Mature Humor
It was a good start to a mystery series, but there is mature content in the book. There is a joke to homosexuality, and drug addiction references throughout. Not for kids under 12! If you are finished with Chasing Vermeer, choose this book!
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AGE
Great Mystery Book for 12+ Kids!
A great book for a "tween" who likes mystery books. There is some mention of drinking and smoking, as well as reference to murder and skipping school, so this wouldn't be a book for an immature reader.
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| Author: | Peter Abrahams |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
| Publication date: | October 30, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 375 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 10 |
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