Friday Barnes: Girl detective by R.A. Spratt

Random House, 2014. ISBN 9781742759623.
(Ages 8-13) Highly recommended. This is the first title in a new series by the author of Nanny Piggins. Friday Barnes is the youngest child of two scientists, and has been left mostly to her own devices growing up. With an immense IQ and a love of detective novels, she jumps at the chance to solve a bank robbery, earning her a fifty-thousand dollar reward. Friday uses this money to send herself to an extremely exclusive boarding school, where she quickly earns a reputation as the girl who can solve mysteries. For someone who aspires to being practically invisible, it is difficult to adjust to this new-found attention. Friday's biggest challenge however, is discovering the identity of the Yeti in the school swamp.
While many literary references in this book may go over the head of most readers of this age, it is still a clever, engaging, and entertaining read. Be warned though, the story ends on a major cliff-hanger, and the next title is not due out until 2015.
Donella Reed