Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Middle grade take on Only Murders in the Building delights.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MINERVA KEEN'S DETECTIVE CLUB, a mystery unfolds after Minerva's chess partner/neighbor collapses while they're playing a game. Turns out they were poisoned, and this is just the first of many. Minerva, an exceptionally bright sixth grader, forms a detective club with her little brother and new friend Santos to try to solve the mysterious poisonings in her luxury apartment building. Can Minerva and her newly formed detective club catch the culprit before anyone else gets hurt -- or dies?
Is It Any Good?
This thrilling middle-grade mystery collaboration between powerhouse suspense authors James Patterson and Keir Graff lives up to expectations. Minerva Keen's Detective Club avoids talking down to its audience, instead filling its pages with snappy dialogue between well-developed characters. The book features short, engaging chapters as well as charming case file illustrations and the perfect blend of wit and silly humor to appeal to both kids and parents. It's the perfect book to read aloud to your middle grader, especially with it ending on such a satisfactorily exciting note.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Minerva's curiosity makes her a good detective in Minerva Keen's Detective Club. Why is it important to be curious in life in general?
Talk about the different ways that the kids display courage throughout the book. Compare the courage they all show in dealing with the snakes and spiders to the courage Santos shows by pushing through his anxiety to try new things.
Did you find this book scary, funny, or a little of both? What effect do the humor and excitement have on the book's more frightening aspects?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : jimmy patterson
- Publication date : May 1, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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