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Who Done It?
A star-studded anthology with a devilish hook, whose proceeds benefit 826nyc: the fabulous literacy non-profit founded by Dave Eggers.
Can you imagine the most cantankerous book editor alive? Part Voldemort, part Cruella de Vil (if she were a dude), and worse in appearance and odor than a gluttonous farm pig? A man who makes no secret of his love of cheese or his disdain of unworthy authors? That man is Herman Mildew.
The anthology opens with an invitation to a party, care of this insufferable monster, where more than 80 of the most talented, bestselling and recognizable names in YA and children’s fiction learn that they are suspects in his murder. All must provide alibis in brief first-person entries. The problem is that all of them are liars, all of them are fabulists, and all have something to hide...
Can you imagine the most cantankerous book editor alive? Part Voldemort, part Cruella de Vil (if she were a dude), and worse in appearance and odor than a gluttonous farm pig? A man who makes no secret of his love of cheese or his disdain of unworthy authors? That man is Herman Mildew.
The anthology opens with an invitation to a party, care of this insufferable monster, where more than 80 of the most talented, bestselling and recognizable names in YA and children’s fiction learn that they are suspects in his murder. All must provide alibis in brief first-person entries. The problem is that all of them are liars, all of them are fabulists, and all have something to hide...
373 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2013
120 people are currently reading
4307 people want to read
About the author
Jon Scieszka
244 books1,556 followersJon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
April 6, 2013
The world's worst editor, Herman Q. Mildew, has been killed in some unspecified manner. All 80 of the writers he invited to gather at an abandoned pickle factory are called upon to write up their alibis for the police. All are children's or young adult writers, some well known (Mo Willems, John Green, David Levithan), many not so well known, even to a school librarian. All had motive, and every short-short entry seems to point to the author as the guilty party. So who really did it?
I thought I would love this, but I didn't. It was mildly entertaining at best. There was no way to try to figure out who really did it, since every writer was at pains to implicate him or herself, and 80 was about 60 too many stories to read. The entries were all well-written and some were amusing, but they got repetitive really soon. This was a good idea for a book, but it would have worked better if there had been more of an organized set-up, and if the writers had had access to each others' stories to build a real puzzle. This was more like a class assignment. Now I know how teachers feel, reading 80 papers all on the same subject!
I thought I would love this, but I didn't. It was mildly entertaining at best. There was no way to try to figure out who really did it, since every writer was at pains to implicate him or herself, and 80 was about 60 too many stories to read. The entries were all well-written and some were amusing, but they got repetitive really soon. This was a good idea for a book, but it would have worked better if there had been more of an organized set-up, and if the writers had had access to each others' stories to build a real puzzle. This was more like a class assignment. Now I know how teachers feel, reading 80 papers all on the same subject!
maybe
September 14, 2012Thank you, blurb. Because who doesn't want to know the ending before they've even read the book?!
I hate you.
I hate you.
April 15, 2013
I think you have to go into this book expecting a lot of repetition, and that's why a lot of people reacted so poorly to it. It's not really the sort of book that it's necessary to read cover-to-cover, and that's okay. The point of the book is to benefit 826nyc, and kudos to all these authors for chipping in for a good cause. You can pick out your favourite authors and only read their alibis. You can read most or some or a few or all of the alibis and then skip to the end and it would not make any difference. Does that make it a bad book though? I guess if you're looking for a cohesive, novel-like story, then yes. But this is really more like a collection of short stories with a common theme.
I mean, take for instance the fact that in the introduction, it is said that one leg of lamb was found amongst the items confiscated from the suspects. That leg of lamb in then used in three different author's alibis. How can three different authors possess one leg of lamb? Well, because continuity was not exactly the most important aspect in putting together this collection. Once I realized that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
Some of the authors and illustrators got really creative with their alibis, which was pretty cool. Some of my favorites actually included John Green's and Libba Bray's, which were about one page each. Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown's art-based alibi is also pretty nifty. I wasn't going to write a review but then I saw all the one- and two-star reviews here and started rolling my eyes. Too repetitive for you? I'll admit I skipped the last five or so authors because I was starting to get bored and I didn't recognize their names. Some stood out more starkly than others.
If you look at this book as some grand mystery masterpiece-wannabe that fell short, then I guess I can understand your one-star rating. I don't agree with it, but I do understand it. But if you take this book as it is meant to be taken, I think you will find it a quirky and fun read.
I mean, take for instance the fact that in the introduction, it is said that one leg of lamb was found amongst the items confiscated from the suspects. That leg of lamb in then used in three different author's alibis. How can three different authors possess one leg of lamb? Well, because continuity was not exactly the most important aspect in putting together this collection. Once I realized that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
Some of the authors and illustrators got really creative with their alibis, which was pretty cool. Some of my favorites actually included John Green's and Libba Bray's, which were about one page each. Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown's art-based alibi is also pretty nifty. I wasn't going to write a review but then I saw all the one- and two-star reviews here and started rolling my eyes. Too repetitive for you? I'll admit I skipped the last five or so authors because I was starting to get bored and I didn't recognize their names. Some stood out more starkly than others.
If you look at this book as some grand mystery masterpiece-wannabe that fell short, then I guess I can understand your one-star rating. I don't agree with it, but I do understand it. But if you take this book as it is meant to be taken, I think you will find it a quirky and fun read.
September 9, 2020
This was an interesting story told in an odd way. I can see how the appeal of the short stories and liking the like the tales, lies and fabrications from each suspect. It was funny at most spots and I liked the personality and originality from the authors. But it was a bit....long. I think I would have liked it cut in half. Cute idea either way.
January 28, 2013
What's the What: Super horrible, nasty book editor Herman Q. Mildew has been found murdered. Over eighty famous children's and YA authors and illustrators gather in an abandoned pickle factory, ostensibly invited by their tormentor, ol' Hermie himself. Instead, they write for their lives, offering up alibis that will prove they couldn't possibly have committed the dastardly deed.
Opening Sentence (of Introductory Interrogation by Jon Scieszka): LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...AND I USE THOSE TERMS LOOSELY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE ALL WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS...WE HAVE A BIT OF A SITUATION.
The Good: Jon Scieszka pulled off a major win here with a fantastic gathering of prominent children's and YA authors coming together for a good cause. The proceeds from sales of this book benefit 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children's writing skills. Mo Willems, Lemony Snicket, Gayle Forman, David Levithan, Alison Pace, Joy Preble, Jordan Sonnenblick and Todd Strasser offer some of the more entertaining alibis, which vary in style, format and blame-shifting tactics.
The Not So Good: Did there have to be so many? While most of the offerings are no more than a few pages each, the long litany of excuses is exhausting after awhile.
Swoon Factor: ...thankfully, in this book, does not exist. There's too much talk of smelly cheese and toenail collections.
The Verdict: The book is great fun in small doses. There's wit and creativity to spare. It's the type of book that doesn't have to be read cover to cover to be enjoyed.
Opening Sentence (of Introductory Interrogation by Jon Scieszka): LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...AND I USE THOSE TERMS LOOSELY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE ALL WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS...WE HAVE A BIT OF A SITUATION.
The Good: Jon Scieszka pulled off a major win here with a fantastic gathering of prominent children's and YA authors coming together for a good cause. The proceeds from sales of this book benefit 826NYC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children's writing skills. Mo Willems, Lemony Snicket, Gayle Forman, David Levithan, Alison Pace, Joy Preble, Jordan Sonnenblick and Todd Strasser offer some of the more entertaining alibis, which vary in style, format and blame-shifting tactics.
The Not So Good: Did there have to be so many? While most of the offerings are no more than a few pages each, the long litany of excuses is exhausting after awhile.
Swoon Factor: ...thankfully, in this book, does not exist. There's too much talk of smelly cheese and toenail collections.
The Verdict: The book is great fun in small doses. There's wit and creativity to spare. It's the type of book that doesn't have to be read cover to cover to be enjoyed.
January 14, 2014
Wow wow wow, I am so mad that I didn't hear about this book at ALL prior to its release, despite following a bunch of the authors inside online. This has to be one of my new favorite reads. So many great inside jokes and broken fourth walls and satirical self-referential humor. I am thankful that I found this at my library and saw all of the great authors' names on the cover. Others have pointed out that it is repetitive, but I think it's really interesting to see what each author did with the limited information they were given. Yes, some of them ended up with similar stories, but how cool is that, to compare what each author ended up with? What an imaginative writing exercise and showcase of the brightest voices in YA. This book probably wouldn't go over too well with people who had no familiarity with any of the authors inside, but with the sheer volume of authors showcased, it feels like there has to be something for everyone. Major props to Jon Scieszka, and kudos to everyone involved for deciding to give the proceeds to such a cool cause.
March 7, 2013
To be clear, because I certainly didn't realize this going in: this is NOT an actual mystery. It's just a writing exercise for 80+ well-known YA and kid's lit authors. (Much in the spirit of what 826NYC students might produce, I imagine-- I think that's the point.)
At 80+ entries, no attempt at plot development from story to story, and (I suspect) no actual direction given to the authors/artists (beyond the same introduction the reader gets), this is NOT a book to read cover-to-cover. There's no evidence in the "alibis" that will allow the reader to figure out whodunit, there are no clues, there's nothing to discover except how your favorite author might creatively do someone in (though they would NEVER EVER do such a thing. Really. They swear.). Heck, there's not even a clear description of how vile Mr. Mildew met his well-deserved end. But hey, it's for a good cause (826NYC).
My advice is to read the introduction, read the entries of your favorite writers (they're in alphabetical order), read anything else that catches your eye (like maybe Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown's by-the-numbers defense, David Levithan's poem-alibi (which made me shiver just a little), Maureen Johnson's pirate song (yes, really) or Adam Mansbach and Rocardo Cortes' amazing rap-alibi), and then read the end. Trust me, you won't be missing anything essential to the story.
At 80+ entries, no attempt at plot development from story to story, and (I suspect) no actual direction given to the authors/artists (beyond the same introduction the reader gets), this is NOT a book to read cover-to-cover. There's no evidence in the "alibis" that will allow the reader to figure out whodunit, there are no clues, there's nothing to discover except how your favorite author might creatively do someone in (though they would NEVER EVER do such a thing. Really. They swear.). Heck, there's not even a clear description of how vile Mr. Mildew met his well-deserved end. But hey, it's for a good cause (826NYC).
My advice is to read the introduction, read the entries of your favorite writers (they're in alphabetical order), read anything else that catches your eye (like maybe Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown's by-the-numbers defense, David Levithan's poem-alibi (which made me shiver just a little), Maureen Johnson's pirate song (yes, really) or Adam Mansbach and Rocardo Cortes' amazing rap-alibi), and then read the end. Trust me, you won't be missing anything essential to the story.
April 4, 2013
I was so excited by the premise of the book, and it promised to be funny. With no plot line and just authors writing alibis, it didn't draw me back, so I was forcing myself to read on my lunch breaks while allowing myself other books before bedtime. Luckily, the chapters were all short, so there were many easy stopping points. I did not get as much enjoyment out of it as I had anticipated, but it wasn't bad.
There were definitely funny parts. Much of it was clever. Some of it silly. And, yes, some of it was dumb. Overall, it was an entertaining read. But at times it began to feel repetitive. And I found the authors I was familiar with (and with their works) to be funnier/cleverer than the others. It would have helped if I knew more of the authors. Enjoyed reading some of the bios at the end.
Even if you don't want to read over 80 alibis, it's worth reading a few here and there--especially if some of your favorites are part of the collection.
There were definitely funny parts. Much of it was clever. Some of it silly. And, yes, some of it was dumb. Overall, it was an entertaining read. But at times it began to feel repetitive. And I found the authors I was familiar with (and with their works) to be funnier/cleverer than the others. It would have helped if I knew more of the authors. Enjoyed reading some of the bios at the end.
Even if you don't want to read over 80 alibis, it's worth reading a few here and there--especially if some of your favorites are part of the collection.
January 18, 2015
Cute story but went on too long.
June 16, 2013
Clever idea, but too repetitive to make a good anthology. I expected there to be collaboration between the writers and for a story to emerge, but it's really 80 versions of the writing prompt "tell us your alibi, convince us that you did not kill Herman K. Mildew." I can see the value of this in a classroom setting, though I would pick and choose a few entries to showcase writing style and voice. Besides straight-up fiction, there were poems, one-liners, screenplays, and graphic-novel-type entries. It's a great way to show range of creativity.
Fans of YA will probably have fun paging through the book to read entries from their favourite authors. I am not an avid YA reader, so I didn't recognize many names, and some of the inside jokes were lost on me, but there were a few authors that I'll look for in the future. Mac Barnett, his entry was particularly funny, and Lemony Snicket, quirky, as expected.
Fans of YA will probably have fun paging through the book to read entries from their favourite authors. I am not an avid YA reader, so I didn't recognize many names, and some of the inside jokes were lost on me, but there were a few authors that I'll look for in the future. Mac Barnett, his entry was particularly funny, and Lemony Snicket, quirky, as expected.
March 13, 2023
Over fifty writers have to give their alibi’s for where they where when their literary agent Mildew is killed. I’m sorry each story is stupider and stupider and we are supposed to pick which one is telling the truth??
February 14, 2013
*A copy was provided by Soho Press for review purposes*
What a crazy book. What an outrageous, hysterical, cheesy, fantastic, ingenious book! This is the first anthology I’ve ever read, and wow was it awesome! The idea was so funny, and I loved the ending of the book when the verdict was given. The idea of a cheese-loving, gas-producing, book-bashing, author-hating editor named Herman Q. Mildew being knocked off because everyone hated him was absolutely awesome. The authors who participated in this book were just awesome, and I loved their individual stories. The more unbelievable, the better, I think was the motto for this book. I will admit that after about 150 pages I got kind of tired of reading the different alibis and kind of skipped to the authors I’ve actually read before, but other than that this book was completely cool.
Since there aren’t really any characters in this book (well, except Mildew himself) I’m going to instead discuss my favorite authors from this book and their little lines of laughs (if that makes any sense):
~Page 29, Steve Brezenoff
~Page42, Jen Calonita
~Page 67, Larry Doyle
“Who’s making the accusation, anyway? Scieszka? Now, there’s a murderer. I’m not accusing anyone of anything, or course, but I will note that Scieszka is bald, and that a 2004 study by Harvard University found that men with male pattern baldness are seven times more likely to kill literary editors than men with full and plush heads of hair. So allow me to submit to evidence Exhibit A, my majestic puff of hair. You can’t deny my puff. It wasn’t me.”
~Page 131, John Green
“Lisa: Check Yahoo mail.
Laura: Can’t. On a run.
Lisa: Eeew. Stop being so athletic and check your email. Immediately.”
“Lisa: Well, you’re just going to have to kill him. Come over when you’re done with your run, and I’ll let you borrow some of my rat poison. You can bake him a cake or something.
Laura: Why do I have to be the one to kill him? Why can’t you kill him? You’re the oldest.
Lisa: God, you love reminding me of that, don’t you? It’s only two years! It’s not like you’re 23. We’re both in our mid-thirties.
Laura: I’m still in my early thirties.”
~Page 257 & 258, Lisa and Laura Roecker
And now is my favorite alibi of the entire book! I couldn’t stop laughing!!!
“Ahem. I’m here to offer my alibi.
No, HERE. In front of the line. Quit motioning the people standing behind me forward! …No! Person-so-tall-I-can’t-quite-see-your-face, don’t you dare cut in front of me! He was—I am—oh, for the love. Fine. Just a second.
NOW I’M STANDING ON A FOOTSTOOL. YOU CAN’T IGNORE ME. IT IS MY TURN.
What do you mean my alibi isn’t necessary? Don’t you wave dismissively!
…I—excuse me? I must be hearing you wrong. Did you say I’m too short to be a suspect? No, no, your exact quote was, ‘Someone as adorably wee as you couldn’t possibly have committed such a heinous crime.”
…You’ll never doubt I’m the murderer again! Even though I’m not! But you should at least do me the dignity of suspecting me! YOU. ME. NOW. I’m gong to leap over this counter and show you exactly how murderous I can be!
Well, just as soon as someone brings me a stepladder so I can actually climb over the top to strangle you.”
~Page 327, 328 & 329, Kiersten White
What a laugh! What a funny book! Gah! You guys really have to read this one!!!
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Emily's Crammed Bookshelf
What a crazy book. What an outrageous, hysterical, cheesy, fantastic, ingenious book! This is the first anthology I’ve ever read, and wow was it awesome! The idea was so funny, and I loved the ending of the book when the verdict was given. The idea of a cheese-loving, gas-producing, book-bashing, author-hating editor named Herman Q. Mildew being knocked off because everyone hated him was absolutely awesome. The authors who participated in this book were just awesome, and I loved their individual stories. The more unbelievable, the better, I think was the motto for this book. I will admit that after about 150 pages I got kind of tired of reading the different alibis and kind of skipped to the authors I’ve actually read before, but other than that this book was completely cool.
Since there aren’t really any characters in this book (well, except Mildew himself) I’m going to instead discuss my favorite authors from this book and their little lines of laughs (if that makes any sense):
“It would have been quite good, though, wouldn’t it? Excuse me, I mean it would have been quite good. Someone else has, apparently, beaten me to the punch—or gunshot, hanging, stabbing, defenestration, or whatever method was used.”
~Page 29, Steve Brezenoff
“The fork I was holding came dangerously close to stabbing him in the throat, but I’m a lady and ladies don’t do such things. They just dream about them.”
~Page42, Jen Calonita
“This looks bad, I know.
All this blood.
On me.
But I assure you, this is not Herman Mildew’s blood;
or if it is, he placed it there voluntarily;
or if not, it was stolen from him by a person or persons unknown and then planted on me as the most likely suspect.
~Page 67, Larry Doyle
“Who’s making the accusation, anyway? Scieszka? Now, there’s a murderer. I’m not accusing anyone of anything, or course, but I will note that Scieszka is bald, and that a 2004 study by Harvard University found that men with male pattern baldness are seven times more likely to kill literary editors than men with full and plush heads of hair. So allow me to submit to evidence Exhibit A, my majestic puff of hair. You can’t deny my puff. It wasn’t me.”
~Page 131, John Green
“Lisa: Check Yahoo mail.
Laura: Can’t. On a run.
Lisa: Eeew. Stop being so athletic and check your email. Immediately.”
“Lisa: Well, you’re just going to have to kill him. Come over when you’re done with your run, and I’ll let you borrow some of my rat poison. You can bake him a cake or something.
Laura: Why do I have to be the one to kill him? Why can’t you kill him? You’re the oldest.
Lisa: God, you love reminding me of that, don’t you? It’s only two years! It’s not like you’re 23. We’re both in our mid-thirties.
Laura: I’m still in my early thirties.”
~Page 257 & 258, Lisa and Laura Roecker
And now is my favorite alibi of the entire book! I couldn’t stop laughing!!!
“Ahem. I’m here to offer my alibi.
No, HERE. In front of the line. Quit motioning the people standing behind me forward! …No! Person-so-tall-I-can’t-quite-see-your-face, don’t you dare cut in front of me! He was—I am—oh, for the love. Fine. Just a second.
NOW I’M STANDING ON A FOOTSTOOL. YOU CAN’T IGNORE ME. IT IS MY TURN.
What do you mean my alibi isn’t necessary? Don’t you wave dismissively!
…I—excuse me? I must be hearing you wrong. Did you say I’m too short to be a suspect? No, no, your exact quote was, ‘Someone as adorably wee as you couldn’t possibly have committed such a heinous crime.”
…You’ll never doubt I’m the murderer again! Even though I’m not! But you should at least do me the dignity of suspecting me! YOU. ME. NOW. I’m gong to leap over this counter and show you exactly how murderous I can be!
Well, just as soon as someone brings me a stepladder so I can actually climb over the top to strangle you.”
~Page 327, 328 & 329, Kiersten White
What a laugh! What a funny book! Gah! You guys really have to read this one!!!
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Emily's Crammed Bookshelf
June 11, 2018
Who Done It? is an anthology by Jon Scieszka. All sales of this book benefit 826NYC.
This anthology is comprised of all contributing authors' alibis and other reasons for not killing editor Herman Q. Mildew.
Contributions are made by Jon Scieszka, David Levithan, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Lev Grossman, Gayle Forman, Libba Bray, Dave Eggers, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle, Rebecca Stead, Sara Shepard, Lemony Snicket, Ned Vizzini, John Green, J.R. & Kate Angelella, Mac Barnett, Jennifer Belle, Judy Blundell, Liz Braswell, Steve Brezenoff, Elise Broach, Peter Brown, Jen Calonita, Patrick Carman, Susane Colasanti, Elizabeth Craft, Melissa de la Cruz, Julia DeVillers & Paige Pooler, Larry Doyle, Sarah Beth Durst, Daniel Ehrenhaft, Elizabeth Eulberg, Helen Fitzgerald, Aimee Friedman, Margaux Froley, Claudia Gabel, Michelle Gagnon, Adam Gidwitz, Anna Godbersen, Adele Griffin & Lisa Brown, Janet Gurtler, F. Bowman Hastie III & Tillamook Cheddar, Geoff Herbach, Joanna Hershon, Mandy Hubbard, Emily Jenkins, Lindsey Kelk, Jo Knowles, Gordan Korman, Sarah Darer Littman, Barry Lyga, Adam Mansbach & Ricardo Cortes, Leslie Margolis, Julia Mayer, Barnabas Miller, Sarah Mlynowski & Courtney Sheinmel, Greg Neri, Jennifer A. Nielsen & Lisa Ann Sandell, Jennifer E. Smith, Michael Northrop, David Ostow, Micol Ostow, Alison Pace, Joy Preble, Margo Rabb, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Marie Rutkoski, Casey Scieszka & Steven Weinberg, Kieran Scott, Alyssa B. Sheinmel, Jordan Sonnenblick, Natalie Standiford, Todd Strasser, Heather Terrell, Adrienne Maria Vrettos, Melissa Walker, Robin Wasserman, Lynn Weingarten, Kiersten White, Mo Willems, Rita Williams-Garcia, Maryrose Wood, Jennifer Ziegler, and Michelle Zink.
This anthology was fun and quick to read. While some entries I enjoyed more than others, I did find most of them to be good.
This anthology is comprised of all contributing authors' alibis and other reasons for not killing editor Herman Q. Mildew.
Contributions are made by Jon Scieszka, David Levithan, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Lev Grossman, Gayle Forman, Libba Bray, Dave Eggers, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle, Rebecca Stead, Sara Shepard, Lemony Snicket, Ned Vizzini, John Green, J.R. & Kate Angelella, Mac Barnett, Jennifer Belle, Judy Blundell, Liz Braswell, Steve Brezenoff, Elise Broach, Peter Brown, Jen Calonita, Patrick Carman, Susane Colasanti, Elizabeth Craft, Melissa de la Cruz, Julia DeVillers & Paige Pooler, Larry Doyle, Sarah Beth Durst, Daniel Ehrenhaft, Elizabeth Eulberg, Helen Fitzgerald, Aimee Friedman, Margaux Froley, Claudia Gabel, Michelle Gagnon, Adam Gidwitz, Anna Godbersen, Adele Griffin & Lisa Brown, Janet Gurtler, F. Bowman Hastie III & Tillamook Cheddar, Geoff Herbach, Joanna Hershon, Mandy Hubbard, Emily Jenkins, Lindsey Kelk, Jo Knowles, Gordan Korman, Sarah Darer Littman, Barry Lyga, Adam Mansbach & Ricardo Cortes, Leslie Margolis, Julia Mayer, Barnabas Miller, Sarah Mlynowski & Courtney Sheinmel, Greg Neri, Jennifer A. Nielsen & Lisa Ann Sandell, Jennifer E. Smith, Michael Northrop, David Ostow, Micol Ostow, Alison Pace, Joy Preble, Margo Rabb, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Marie Rutkoski, Casey Scieszka & Steven Weinberg, Kieran Scott, Alyssa B. Sheinmel, Jordan Sonnenblick, Natalie Standiford, Todd Strasser, Heather Terrell, Adrienne Maria Vrettos, Melissa Walker, Robin Wasserman, Lynn Weingarten, Kiersten White, Mo Willems, Rita Williams-Garcia, Maryrose Wood, Jennifer Ziegler, and Michelle Zink.
This anthology was fun and quick to read. While some entries I enjoyed more than others, I did find most of them to be good.
February 27, 2013
WHO DONE IT? is a hilarious anthology of murder most foul. Odious, pickle-loving editor Herman Mildew has been murdered and the suspects most offer their alibis. And the suspects are a veritable who's who of young adult and children's literature - these people know how to write an alibi. Some will throw others under the bus, some will protest that they liked Mildew, but one of them is guilty.
My personal favorite were the entries wherein authors outlined their plans for murdering Mildew and expressed regret that someone else got their first. But although many of the alibis followed predictable patterns, there was a great deal of variety. And I don't just mean the fact that many alibis were illustrated or told in comic form. Each entry has a strong, unique voice. I read all of the alibis in one sitting and didn't get bored.
I recommend WHO DONE IT? to fans of humorous and light mysteries. If you like just one of the many, many authors who contributed, the anthology is worth it. Best of all, WHO DONE IT? supports 826NYC, a nonprofit organization begun by contributor Dave Eggers that helps students develop their writing skills. It not only supports the program monetarily, but - as readers will find out - demonstrates how the program works.
In the end, I was disappointed by Soho Teen's first title (WHAT WE SAW AT NIGHT), but WHO DONE IT? is delightful from beginning to end. I've still got high hopes for this imprint of young adult crime/thriller/mystery fiction.
July 23, 2013
Who Done It? That is the question the reader must ask after the death of the malodorous, malevolent, malignant, and whatever other adjective that start with "mal" editor Herman Mildew. The suspects include some of the most beloved YA and children authors. Each must provide their alibi to prove their innocence, but when it among people who lie and manufacture stories, who can you trust?
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
When I got this book, I was really excited. I have always had a soft spot for short stories (they're like mini-books making up one big book), and eighty of them? With authors like Libba Bray, Lemony Snicket, and John Green? I was in short story heaven.
However, the book ended up being a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy it. I did. But the expectations I had of the book, the standards I held for each of the authors, were not quite met. About half way through the book, I found many of the stories blurring together in my brain, until I could barely tell one from the others. There were, however, a few gems that shone through. I loved David Levithan's story, a play on the famous poem "This is Just to Say". Sarah Mlynowski and Courtney Sheinmel's tale had me laughing out loud. The new and original forms of other authors, were also greatly appreciated. Michael Northrop's story, though, was in my opinion, the best of all, and absolutely DEMANDS A SEQUEL.
In the end, I do tip my hat to each and every author who contributed to this anthology. Although I felt that their best work weren't present, I do appreciate that they did this only to advance a worthy organization such as 826 NYC.
February 4, 2013
Who Done It is a collection of alibis from over 80 authors. They each add there reason why they couldn't have been the one to kill the worse editor in the world Herman Mildew . You get to hear some of the mean and awful things he did or said to them. They all have a reason for doing it and you just have to figure out which one actual did it.
I liked most of the alibis the author came up with in this book. Each one has a unique and different reason for wanting to kill this man and a way they would do it. Most of the stories are around 3-5 pages for each author and you can see each ones style shine thru in the story telling. A few that stood out to me is the author who didn't need an alibi because she was to short to be a suspect but thunks they need to interview her as well. Another favorite of mine was how a twitter conversation causes one author to become a suspect. The cheese the editor loved to eat finds it's way into a lot of stories and they each give the cheese story a twist to make it theirs. There is tons of fantastic authors that contribute to this book and really to many stories to tell about each one. If you are looking for a light hearted Who Done It mystery by some fab authors give this a try. Some stories are wonderful and some of them fell flat all in all a good read.
I liked most of the alibis the author came up with in this book. Each one has a unique and different reason for wanting to kill this man and a way they would do it. Most of the stories are around 3-5 pages for each author and you can see each ones style shine thru in the story telling. A few that stood out to me is the author who didn't need an alibi because she was to short to be a suspect but thunks they need to interview her as well. Another favorite of mine was how a twitter conversation causes one author to become a suspect. The cheese the editor loved to eat finds it's way into a lot of stories and they each give the cheese story a twist to make it theirs. There is tons of fantastic authors that contribute to this book and really to many stories to tell about each one. If you are looking for a light hearted Who Done It mystery by some fab authors give this a try. Some stories are wonderful and some of them fell flat all in all a good read.
September 12, 2013
Who killed the despicable, despised book editor Herman Mildew? An invitation to a party is sent out to over 80 teen/children's authors, an invitation to a party held at an abandoned pickle factory. At the party, the attendees are informed that they are suspects in Herman Mildews death. What follows is a collection of alibis. Some are downright, laugh out loud hilarious, others are just a bit creepy, and many are extremely creative, as you would expect from an anthology of authors of the caliber represented here. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - including the surprise ending. I do admit, however, NOT to killing Herman Mildew, but to skipping around and through the alibis - there were just too many to read without losing interest. It was a fun book to pick up and put down and pick up again and read between other cover to cover books. Oh - and the best part, proceeds support 826NYC - a nonprofit organization that supports the development of student's creative and expository writing skills.
August 30, 2015
The concept is great--get a whole bunch of authors together to explain why they didn't kill a particularly nasty editor. However, with eighty different authors on the roster, each writing between 1-5 pages on why they didn't do it...well, by about 2/3s of the way through, I just wanted to be done with it.
That's not to say the authors or their alibis were bad; far from it. Most of the alibis were pretty funny, and all the voices were unique. There was some repetition, of course, but why wouldn't there be, with so many contributors? It just ran too long. Maybe fifty authors? But who to cull? I just know the book would have been about perfect at 250, maybe 275 pages. The joke would still have been fresh.
The stand-out pieces for me were:
Libba Bray
Gayle Forman
Lev Grossman
David Levithan
Barnabas Miller
Todd Strasser
Overall, I'd recommend the anthology, but if I were to use it in class, I'd pick and choose what I wanted to use as an example of how the book works.
That's not to say the authors or their alibis were bad; far from it. Most of the alibis were pretty funny, and all the voices were unique. There was some repetition, of course, but why wouldn't there be, with so many contributors? It just ran too long. Maybe fifty authors? But who to cull? I just know the book would have been about perfect at 250, maybe 275 pages. The joke would still have been fresh.
The stand-out pieces for me were:
Libba Bray
Gayle Forman
Lev Grossman
David Levithan
Barnabas Miller
Todd Strasser
Overall, I'd recommend the anthology, but if I were to use it in class, I'd pick and choose what I wanted to use as an example of how the book works.
February 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Perhaps 5 stars is a lot but it's a teen book without a plot, just 2-3 page alibis so maybe I'm being more lenient. It was just fun to read, most of the authors were creative and funny. Some were lacking but there are so many if them that a few bad eggs doesn't matter. As others have said, it was simply a writing exercise for a whole bunch of authors, supplying alibis for the murder of a fictional, though probably not far from the truth, editor. Jon scieszka gave them all some common threads that most chose to use in their vignette so it tied them together a bit more. It was just plain fun to read sweet authors like Lauren Myracle describe how they WOULD have killed someone.
One mystery I actually need solved by someone: one of the authors used the words "pussy goiter". Does that not belong in teen lit (and my library had it for 5th and 6th graders)? Or does that "term" mean something I am unaware of??
One mystery I actually need solved by someone: one of the authors used the words "pussy goiter". Does that not belong in teen lit (and my library had it for 5th and 6th graders)? Or does that "term" mean something I am unaware of??
April 9, 2014
In a lot of ways this reminded me of movies like "CLUE" and "MURDER BY DEATH" in that many of the writers paid homage to recognizable tropes of the mystery world, but in over the top ways. I found that part to be amusing and endearing.
What I found less endearing, and which ultimately had me frowning more often then being entertained, was that while some authors obviously took the idea of clues and a mystery seriously (even if they didn't write it seriously) a larger majority couldn't use subtly if it snuck up on them.
Granted I'm saying this from a 29 year old's perspective; this is clearly meant for a younger set (I'd guess middle grade, but it may be aimed for teens) and meant to entertain through the witty writing and outlandish characters then by a hardcore mystery. The short nature of each author's piece also hinders a larger enjoyment on my part--this is less of an anthology collection as it is a giant collaborative writing project amongst peers.
What I found less endearing, and which ultimately had me frowning more often then being entertained, was that while some authors obviously took the idea of clues and a mystery seriously (even if they didn't write it seriously) a larger majority couldn't use subtly if it snuck up on them.
Granted I'm saying this from a 29 year old's perspective; this is clearly meant for a younger set (I'd guess middle grade, but it may be aimed for teens) and meant to entertain through the witty writing and outlandish characters then by a hardcore mystery. The short nature of each author's piece also hinders a larger enjoyment on my part--this is less of an anthology collection as it is a giant collaborative writing project amongst peers.
May 11, 2013
Loved. This. Book! I was excited to win an advance uncorrected edition of Who Done It through the Goodreads Giveaways program. Who Done It is an anthology of some of the hottest names in young adult and children's fiction. The book opens with an invitation to a party at an abandoned pickle factory which is being hosted by the notorious editor, Herman Mildew. When the guests arrive they learn that the party host has been murdered. Everyone is considered a suspect and must provide an alibi. This book was so much fun! Each short story was 4 pages or less but I was impressed by the creativity shown in such short pieces. I also thought it was great that the book proceeds will benefit the non profit literacy program, 826NYC. I recommend this to fans of the mystery and humor genres.
January 27, 2019
This is a very good and VERY funny themed anthology in which 50+ YA authors and illustrators provide brief (and hilarious) alibis to prove they did not murder their horrifically vile editor.
From the beginning I was determined to identify the murderer myself (absolutely NO PEEKING at the end!). I narrowed my list of most likely suspects down to seven (I even included the pigeon of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” fame even though he wasn’t specifically an author or suspect). Needless to say, I found the ending extremely satisfying even though I guessed incorrectly.
I highly recommend this light and enjoyable read for a dark and stormy night or a rainy afternoon. Hopefully you can figure out “Who Done It?”
From the beginning I was determined to identify the murderer myself (absolutely NO PEEKING at the end!). I narrowed my list of most likely suspects down to seven (I even included the pigeon of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” fame even though he wasn’t specifically an author or suspect). Needless to say, I found the ending extremely satisfying even though I guessed incorrectly.
I highly recommend this light and enjoyable read for a dark and stormy night or a rainy afternoon. Hopefully you can figure out “Who Done It?”
May 20, 2013
The idea behind this book was a fun one- like Clue, only with an editor killed and writers as suspects. BUT after about twenty authors... I began to feel like they were repetitive, even though they all gave alibis differently. There was too much input and the ending wasn't satisfactory to me. I felt that there needed to be more indication for that as the ending. However, I like several of the authors involved, and a few of the alibis were downright funny, so not entirely a waste. Just perhaps a more... selective reading than all the way through.
November 1, 2013
Jon Scieszka has gathered up many YA authors to each right a chapter in this very humorous book. An editor has died and the suspects are all of his authors that he publish for. He was despised by all of them. Each chapter is written by one author for their alibi. From John Green to Lemony Snicket.
I recommend this book to all ages and the humor is completely appropriate. Some of the alibis include stories about the smelly, mean, never satisfied publishers. The only reason why this is not five stars is because of the in my mind disappointing ending.
I recommend this book to all ages and the humor is completely appropriate. Some of the alibis include stories about the smelly, mean, never satisfied publishers. The only reason why this is not five stars is because of the in my mind disappointing ending.
March 19, 2013
I liked the idea of this book. I liked why this book was created (good cause). But after reading about 30 of the author "statements" I felt like I was reading similar things over and over and over again. And I still had 50 to go. I mostly kept going because I wanted to read specific author's pieces. But now that I read so many most of them blur together. I wanted to like this, I really did. And I did like bits of it...but with so much of it together it was just too much for me.
June 27, 2013
This book is about the evil, mean, selfish and arrogant editor Herman Mildew. And I mean it! Imagin the biggest evil on earth or better the biggest evil in the universe. That`s him. And then one sunny day....he dies. And everyone is happy. All the writers who worked with Herman are suspects. So every one of them should write a alibi. And that`s what this book is. A book full of alibis. All the stories are great and I recommend this book.
April 24, 2013
Loved, loved, loved. If you love picture books, middle grade or YA authors, pick up this book by the brilliant Jon Scieszka. It's a 'Who Done It' and about 75 authors are suspects and must provide alibis. From the outrageous to an albeit twitter confession to illustrations, it reminds me how lucky we are to have such phenomenal authors putting our such great works.
August 9, 2013
This book was SO clever. I really enjoyed all the creativity and the originality the book had to offer. All the authors involved did a really great job of adding their own personal touches though I have to admit that now I'm a little terrified of all of them and what they are capable of. ;) I really really liked this book. It was fun, entertaining, mischievous, and all around fantastic.
Want to read
September 11, 2012Did they actually just give away the ending in the summary? Wow. Thanks. I was intrigued (because I mean, really - Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson and more amazing authors? You can't go wrong), but it seems kind of pointless to read it now.
July 28, 2013
Clever idea and impressive collection of authors/illustrators. Some had fabulous alibis or explanations for why they didn't kill Mr. Mildew. At the same time, reading 200 1-2 page little stories about the same topic became boring. I did skip 20 or so stories.
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