Showtime!

Emma Is on the Air #3

by Ida Siegal

Emma has her most challenging story yet -- and a real TV reporter helping her put it on the air! Can they find her dance group's special drum before showtime? This is Emma Perez, and I'm ON THE AIR! Today at dance class, Sophia, Shakira, and I found out the best news Our dance group is going to be part of the Thanksgiving Day parade! But now our special drum is missing and we can't do our dance without it! Where could it be? Emma and her friends want to put their best foot forward at showtime, but first they'll have to solve their biggest mystery yet! It's time for a new edition of EMMA IS ON THE AIR!

Genres: Friendship, School, Mystery, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2015

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma Perez may be young, but she's already posting her own news stories on the school website and solving mysteries. When an heirloom drum used by her dance teacher disappears before the dance team disappears, it's up to Emma and her friends to solve the mystery. The dance team has been invited to perform for a Thanksgiving parade, but Emma fears that they won't be able to do so without the drum. With the help of a spiral curl that she considers magical, she comes up with possible suspects and questions. Emma herself is sweet, and the way that the author handles her growing dependence on that curl instead of herself is handled nicely, but the way the mystery is wrapped up seemed a bit too convenient for me. Elementary readers will likely enjoy this one since it's filled with humor, dance, costumes, and a smart, self-confident protagonist with a supportive family. I liked the storyline more than the illustrations, though, although again, they have plenty of appeal for young readers.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and cheery early chapter book featuring a diverse cast of characters. A bit perky and predictable but appropriate for the age group.