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The Great Shelby Holmes #1
The Great Shelby Holmes
Sherlock Holmes gets a fun, sweet twist with two irresistible young heroes and black & white illustrations throughout, in this middle grade debut from internationally bestselling YA author Elizabeth Eulberg.
Shelby Holmes is not your average sixth grader. She's nine years old, barely four feet tall, and the best detective her Harlem neighborhood has ever seen-always using logic and a bit of pluck (which yes, some might call "bossiness†?) to solve the toughest crimes.
When eleven-year-old John Watson moves downstairs, Shelby finds something that's eluded her up till a friend. The easy-going John isn't sure of what to make of Shelby, but he soon finds himself her most-trusted ( only) partner in a dog-napping case that'll take both their talents to crack.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2016
154 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Eulberg
34 books3,128 followersThe short and sweet version:
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the international bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, and Better Off Friends, along with the middle-grade series The Great Shelby Holmes and Scared Silly. She now lives in London where she spends her free time aimlessly wandering around historic streets and eating all the scones. ALL OF THEM.
To check out the long version, head over to my webpage: http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/bio/
Also, I'm not checking e-mails on my Goodreads, see my website for information on contacting me! http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/faq/
Happy reading!
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the international bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, and Better Off Friends, along with the middle-grade series The Great Shelby Holmes and Scared Silly. She now lives in London where she spends her free time aimlessly wandering around historic streets and eating all the scones. ALL OF THEM.
To check out the long version, head over to my webpage: http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/bio/
Also, I'm not checking e-mails on my Goodreads, see my website for information on contacting me! http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/faq/
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
February 12, 2017
I try to rate the Bluebonnets as my 3rd-5th graders might. I do have students who like mysteries. For that alone, I think my students would given this new age, kind of Sherlock Holmes type story, at least a couple of stars. Cute, dog stories are also popular amongst my students. Had the dogs had bigger roles, the book would have likely have easily earned an additional star from my students, but the dogs' roles were minimal. The biggest issue, as it relates to our student body, is the lack of characters students can identify with. That is very important to my students. I do not see boys, African American, or other identifying with or liking John because of the way he is "led" around by this very unlikable little girl. Aside from Junie B. Jones, our 3rd - 5th grade girls have not typically beenhuge fans of spunky, little girl characters. However, Lola Levine and Keena Ford are getting more and more popular bybthe day. I do think, if Shelbyb Holmes were shorter, it might have some success with higher level second graders and as a teacher read a loud for second graders who are just " getting into" chapter books.
From an adult standpoint, I really disliked this book, starting with the cover. In the window, there appears to be African Americans (based on their silhouettes and body language) who appear to be arguing. I do not understand why that image was necessary. For me, this book falls into the cateogry with so many other new books where the main character is unnecessarily mean for much of the book, and then, perhaps, in the last few chapters, the character does a complete "sweet" turn around. Shelby was mean, disrespectul and condescending to her parents, John and his mom, the Lacys, the detective and everyone else. Her whole identity in this who done it, dognapping case is to prove how smart she is by proving how dumb everyone else is.
I just did not feel this was necessary for the predictable plot to develop. Also, I did not "buy" that really young children were allowed to roam the streets of New York, associate freely with strangers, and be taken so seriously by adults, but I do get that kids probably will not notice that.
I especially did not like that there were few, if any, redeeming characters in the book. That includes Shelby and her parents. The African American characters were woefully negative and stereotypical. There was the absentee dad, the mindless jocks, the mom who works too much and has no time for her son who is obviously going through a rough patch, the screaming, feuding siblings, the parents who value material items more than the family's healthy relationship, the friends who lie and break laws and can be bribed with shoes, etc. It read like a ratings hungry, reality show for kids. Sporadically throwing in facts about the Lacys' money or education or John's mom being a doctor (who, by the way, fails at teaching John how to deal with his diabetes and has to ultimately rely on Shelby to do so) did not balance out the negavity cast upon the African American characters. Sure, all characters can not be good, but balancing them is okay, or it should be. John, who repeatedly allowed himself to be humilated and led around like Sir Arthur (the dog) was the least likable character.
It is a fiction book; I do get that, but even with fiction, I need to be able "to buy what is being sold". I just did not with this book.
From an adult standpoint, I really disliked this book, starting with the cover. In the window, there appears to be African Americans (based on their silhouettes and body language) who appear to be arguing. I do not understand why that image was necessary. For me, this book falls into the cateogry with so many other new books where the main character is unnecessarily mean for much of the book, and then, perhaps, in the last few chapters, the character does a complete "sweet" turn around. Shelby was mean, disrespectul and condescending to her parents, John and his mom, the Lacys, the detective and everyone else. Her whole identity in this who done it, dognapping case is to prove how smart she is by proving how dumb everyone else is.
I just did not feel this was necessary for the predictable plot to develop. Also, I did not "buy" that really young children were allowed to roam the streets of New York, associate freely with strangers, and be taken so seriously by adults, but I do get that kids probably will not notice that.
I especially did not like that there were few, if any, redeeming characters in the book. That includes Shelby and her parents. The African American characters were woefully negative and stereotypical. There was the absentee dad, the mindless jocks, the mom who works too much and has no time for her son who is obviously going through a rough patch, the screaming, feuding siblings, the parents who value material items more than the family's healthy relationship, the friends who lie and break laws and can be bribed with shoes, etc. It read like a ratings hungry, reality show for kids. Sporadically throwing in facts about the Lacys' money or education or John's mom being a doctor (who, by the way, fails at teaching John how to deal with his diabetes and has to ultimately rely on Shelby to do so) did not balance out the negavity cast upon the African American characters. Sure, all characters can not be good, but balancing them is okay, or it should be. John, who repeatedly allowed himself to be humilated and led around like Sir Arthur (the dog) was the least likable character.
It is a fiction book; I do get that, but even with fiction, I need to be able "to buy what is being sold". I just did not with this book.
September 24, 2016
I received this book at BEA and even got to meet the author and have her sign my book. I was so excited about this and couldn’t wait to read it. I love a good story about Holmes and Watson. This book was just amazing. I LOVED the characters and the story was so engrossing that I read the entire book in a day.
John Watson is an army brat, he moves from place to place but his mom is finally on permenant leave and they settled down in NYC. The apartment they live in has an unusual girl that lives upstairs. John doesn’t know what to make of her but winds up hanging out with her while she sort of shows him around town. When Holmes gets a new case to solve regarding a lost dog, it’s up to her and Watson to find out who did it.
I honestly loved Shelby, her sarcastic comments and ability to super sleuth was so fun and amazing. She was just such a fun characters. The story is told in John’s POV but I couldn’t help but love him to. The poor kid was so confused half the time and always trying to figure out who did it which really helped keep the reader confused. I really enjoyed how the mystery was solved and all the clues Shelby had figured out. This really was a fun book to read.
I can’t recommend this book enough, I honestly want a lot more of Shelby and John. They are amazing characters and the story was so involved but so fun. This is a great book for MG, YA and adults. I can’t love this book enough and so very happy I got that chance to read it and to meet the author at BEA. This is what I am, kind of hoping, is the start of a fun series.
Thanks for stopping by to check out my review.
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
August 10, 2021
Scribd English text and translation in Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate.
Synopsys: "Sherlock Holmes gets a fun, sweet twist with two irresistible young heroes and black & white illustrations throughout, in this middle grade debut from internationally bestselling YA author Elizabeth Eulberg. Shelby Holmes is not your average sixth grader. She's nine years old, barely four feet tall, and the best detective her Harlem neighborhood has ever seen--always using logic and a bit of pluck (which yes, some might call “bossiness”) to solve the toughest crimes.
When eleven-year-old John Watson moves downstairs, Shelby finds something that's eluded her up till now: a friend. The easy-going John isn't sure of what to make of Shelby, but he soon finds himself her most-trusted (read: only) partner in a dog-napping case that'll take both their talents to crack."
Synopsys: "Sherlock Holmes gets a fun, sweet twist with two irresistible young heroes and black & white illustrations throughout, in this middle grade debut from internationally bestselling YA author Elizabeth Eulberg. Shelby Holmes is not your average sixth grader. She's nine years old, barely four feet tall, and the best detective her Harlem neighborhood has ever seen--always using logic and a bit of pluck (which yes, some might call “bossiness”) to solve the toughest crimes.
When eleven-year-old John Watson moves downstairs, Shelby finds something that's eluded her up till now: a friend. The easy-going John isn't sure of what to make of Shelby, but he soon finds himself her most-trusted (read: only) partner in a dog-napping case that'll take both their talents to crack."
August 9, 2016
Summary: Eulberg's middle grades debut proves that once again, she knows how to write to her audience. Younger readers will find a lot to admire about Shelby Holmes, the gutsy, persistent, and totally awkward sleuth heroine, and will find her sidekick, John Watson, even more admirable. Ideal for grades 4-5; has broad appeal.
Review:John Watson just moved to 221A Baker Street, Harlem, New York City, and on his move to the building, he meets Shelby Holmes. Shelby is small, young, and abrasive: she immediately deduces that John has diabetes and that his parents were recently divorced after his mom finished up her Army service.
Intrigued and lonely, John accompanies Shelby on a tour of the neighborhood with her English bulldog, Sir Arthur. John realizes that Shelby is practically the mayor of the neighborhood… she has offers for free pizza, and everybody seems to know her name. John realizes that even though Shelby might be quirky, she’s definitely an exciting companion.
John (who gets nicknamed Watson) and Shelby then run into a classmate whose dog went missing. With some clues and more than a few false starts, Shelby solves the case and Shelby and John become friends.
This book is cute and speaks directly to its intended reading audience. Watson is always telling us what he’s feeling -- almost a little too often -- but in a way that’s appropriate for middle grades readers who need assistance with characterization. Adult readers will find Watson’s constant reminders that he’s worried about making new friends a little pedantic. There are also moments that perfectly capture the whimsy and charm that a book like this sets out to create: my favorite moment is when a back-alley bookie kingpin helps “fix” dog shows but is far too embarrassed to let his lackeys on about this unmanly income stream. Another charming moment is that the real villain of this story -- to the extent that there is one -- is the police detective herself.
While this book holds appeal for younger readers across gender and genre, I also think the appeal for this book is capped around grade 5-6. Older readers may not appreciate Watson’s openness to being seen anywhere in public with a tiny redheaded girl who is two years younger than he is and far much more awkward. I was also mildly disappointed when Watson’s mother warned him to stay out of other people’s business…. The best kind of foreshadowing line there is… only to see Holmes and Watson remain out of danger’s way during the entire story.
Review from ARC
Review:John Watson just moved to 221A Baker Street, Harlem, New York City, and on his move to the building, he meets Shelby Holmes. Shelby is small, young, and abrasive: she immediately deduces that John has diabetes and that his parents were recently divorced after his mom finished up her Army service.
Intrigued and lonely, John accompanies Shelby on a tour of the neighborhood with her English bulldog, Sir Arthur. John realizes that Shelby is practically the mayor of the neighborhood… she has offers for free pizza, and everybody seems to know her name. John realizes that even though Shelby might be quirky, she’s definitely an exciting companion.
John (who gets nicknamed Watson) and Shelby then run into a classmate whose dog went missing. With some clues and more than a few false starts, Shelby solves the case and Shelby and John become friends.
This book is cute and speaks directly to its intended reading audience. Watson is always telling us what he’s feeling -- almost a little too often -- but in a way that’s appropriate for middle grades readers who need assistance with characterization. Adult readers will find Watson’s constant reminders that he’s worried about making new friends a little pedantic. There are also moments that perfectly capture the whimsy and charm that a book like this sets out to create: my favorite moment is when a back-alley bookie kingpin helps “fix” dog shows but is far too embarrassed to let his lackeys on about this unmanly income stream. Another charming moment is that the real villain of this story -- to the extent that there is one -- is the police detective herself.
While this book holds appeal for younger readers across gender and genre, I also think the appeal for this book is capped around grade 5-6. Older readers may not appreciate Watson’s openness to being seen anywhere in public with a tiny redheaded girl who is two years younger than he is and far much more awkward. I was also mildly disappointed when Watson’s mother warned him to stay out of other people’s business…. The best kind of foreshadowing line there is… only to see Holmes and Watson remain out of danger’s way during the entire story.
Review from ARC
May 30, 2017
This Bluebonnet nominee is a great read. I am a Sherlock Holmes fan and I liked the subtle nods to the books and even the culture of the fandom. It is definitely a reinvention of the stories with Shelby and Watson, but it is those subtle nods that amuse me the most. Such as Shelby's addiction to sugar, and her dog being Sir Arthur. When she gave herself the name Cumberbatch in an undercover situation I had a great chuckle. The humor was often subtle and intelligent. The joy of this book, is that it can be enjoyed on multiple levels. I loved it because of the pop culture references and the Sherlock Holmes parallels, but I can see students loving it just for the quirky character that is Shelby. Sir Arthur the English Bulldog was a funny character and I would like to see more of his personality in future books if there were to be more.
The book also tackles growing up issues such as divorce, making friends and being the new kid. Each touched on without being cloying or over-preachy. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and a great addition to the Bluebonnet list.
The book also tackles growing up issues such as divorce, making friends and being the new kid. Each touched on without being cloying or over-preachy. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and a great addition to the Bluebonnet list.
November 28, 2016
A middle grade mystery modeled on Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" set in modern day Harlem with a spunky nine-year-old detective, Shelby Holmes, and her new neighbor John Watson. Watson and his mother, an army doctor wounded in Afghanistan, move to 221A Baker Street to begin a new life. Although he is nervous about the move, Watson is an experienced army brat and knows what it takes to make new friends. He is totally unprepared for his 221B neighbor, Shelby, but he's intrigued by her use of deductive reasoning and is soon caught up in a mystery about a missing dog. Fans of Sherlock Holmes mysteries will love all the Sherlockian references embedded in the narrative. A fun mystery that will keep readers guessing.
July 10, 2023
Trigger warnings: divorce, dognapping, aggressively mediocre parenting, mentions of war
Well this was DELIGHTFUL. The first outing of 9 year old Shelby Holmes and her 11 year old neighbour, John Watson, the story is told - somewhat predictably - from Watson's perspective. What I didn't expect, however, is that Watson would be Black and diabetic. He was also a delightful narrator, having grown up with two parents in the military, bounced around all over the country, constantly having to start over and make friends. Shelby is very much a junior version of her original inspiration - somewhat prickly and often antagonising people yet coming through with the answers very quickly. The mystery was a little silly, but on the whole I had a lot of fun reading this and I'll definitely be picking up the next one!
Well this was DELIGHTFUL. The first outing of 9 year old Shelby Holmes and her 11 year old neighbour, John Watson, the story is told - somewhat predictably - from Watson's perspective. What I didn't expect, however, is that Watson would be Black and diabetic. He was also a delightful narrator, having grown up with two parents in the military, bounced around all over the country, constantly having to start over and make friends. Shelby is very much a junior version of her original inspiration - somewhat prickly and often antagonising people yet coming through with the answers very quickly. The mystery was a little silly, but on the whole I had a lot of fun reading this and I'll definitely be picking up the next one!
August 3, 2018
When John Watson moves into a neighborhood in Harlem, the last thing he expects to find is a plucky 9 year-old sixth grader whose specialty is solving mysteries. He finds Shelby Watson slightly strange but is still fascinated by her methods. Much in the mold of Sherlock and Watson, this duo are immediately plunged into a mystery that is threatening to tear a family apart. This middle grade book has heart, smarts and a whole lot of mystery.
Find The Great Shelby Holmes at the Westminster Public Library!
Find The Great Shelby Holmes at the Westminster Public Library!
March 12, 2021
This book is great, who knew a nine-year-old girl could know so much!? It challenged my mind to think like Shelby's (though I still value my friends!) I have taught myself to observe from this book, and lots more other people can learn to observe just by reading this book!!!
I recommend this book because it is an interesting and gripping novel, but I won't go into too much detail so not to trigger spoilers...
I recommend this book because it is an interesting and gripping novel, but I won't go into too much detail so not to trigger spoilers...
May 8, 2021
So cute
This is a fun Sherlock adaptation for middle-grade students. I would recommend this to grades 3-7 as that is the age group of the main characters.
This is a fun Sherlock adaptation for middle-grade students. I would recommend this to grades 3-7 as that is the age group of the main characters.
August 11, 2016
This is the first book by Elizabeth Eulberg that I've read but it most definitely won't be my last, especially since this is just the first book in the Shelby Holmes series. I'm a big Sherlock fan so I always get excited to see new interpretations and this was a really enjoyable one!
Sherlock is now Shelby, a nine year old girl in New York who is known for her detection around the neighborhood. She doesn't have friends, but people know her and admire her skills, except for the policewoman, Lestrade. It did amuse me when Shelby would interact with Lestrade. Shelby is a typical Holmes because she's straightforward and knows she's good at what she does. Having a nine year old act like this to a cop would seem strange, but Eulberg did a good job with their relationship. Lestrade is intent on keeping Shelby away from her cases, and it's obvious that she's upset when Shelby can solve a case before her, as any copy would be, I'm sure.
Another key player of course is John Watson, who Shelby just calls Watson. I initially went in expecting Shelby to narrate the book, as she's the title character, but of course, I should have realized it would be Watson based on the original stories. Watson is new to New York. He lives in Shelby's building with his mom, who was in the army. He likes to write, and therefore, he starts chronicling his adventures with Shelby instead of focusing on fiction, like he had in the past. Watson is a couple years older than Shelby, and he starts out wanting to find new friends, but eventually, the two of them realize they are better together - like the original Sherlock and Watson.
If you know the original stories or even have seen the movies/TV shows, you should recognize the various similarities between Shelby and Sherlock. There is Lestrade- the detective, Mrs. Hudson-she lives in Watson and Shelby's building, Shelby is addicted to sugar like Sherlock was addicted to drugs, Shelby has a brother Michael like Sherlock had a brother named Mycroft, and on! I loved seeing these little nods to the original story throughout the book.
As for the actual mystery, it was a case of a show dog going missing. It was a cute story, but it was also a fun mystery that I enjoyed learning along with Watson. Shelby isn't always forthcoming about all of her discoveries, but Sherlock was always the same. This is a mystery you could figure out on your own, before the big reveal, though. I pieced it all together near the end, but it was still a fun story to read and I had no idea for a long time! I can't wait for the next book.
Sherlock is now Shelby, a nine year old girl in New York who is known for her detection around the neighborhood. She doesn't have friends, but people know her and admire her skills, except for the policewoman, Lestrade. It did amuse me when Shelby would interact with Lestrade. Shelby is a typical Holmes because she's straightforward and knows she's good at what she does. Having a nine year old act like this to a cop would seem strange, but Eulberg did a good job with their relationship. Lestrade is intent on keeping Shelby away from her cases, and it's obvious that she's upset when Shelby can solve a case before her, as any copy would be, I'm sure.
Another key player of course is John Watson, who Shelby just calls Watson. I initially went in expecting Shelby to narrate the book, as she's the title character, but of course, I should have realized it would be Watson based on the original stories. Watson is new to New York. He lives in Shelby's building with his mom, who was in the army. He likes to write, and therefore, he starts chronicling his adventures with Shelby instead of focusing on fiction, like he had in the past. Watson is a couple years older than Shelby, and he starts out wanting to find new friends, but eventually, the two of them realize they are better together - like the original Sherlock and Watson.
If you know the original stories or even have seen the movies/TV shows, you should recognize the various similarities between Shelby and Sherlock. There is Lestrade- the detective, Mrs. Hudson-she lives in Watson and Shelby's building, Shelby is addicted to sugar like Sherlock was addicted to drugs, Shelby has a brother Michael like Sherlock had a brother named Mycroft, and on! I loved seeing these little nods to the original story throughout the book.
As for the actual mystery, it was a case of a show dog going missing. It was a cute story, but it was also a fun mystery that I enjoyed learning along with Watson. Shelby isn't always forthcoming about all of her discoveries, but Sherlock was always the same. This is a mystery you could figure out on your own, before the big reveal, though. I pieced it all together near the end, but it was still a fun story to read and I had no idea for a long time! I can't wait for the next book.
March 15, 2017
I received a copy of this title from Bloomsbury Australia for review.
3.5 stars
Ten Second Synopsis:
John Watson has just moved to New York when he bumps into the indescribably weird Shelby Holmes, who lives in his building. Desperate to make friends, John tags along with Shelby, only to be drawn into a bizarre case of dognapping that needs the keen eye of a super detective (and assistant) if it is to be solved in time!
This is a fun and tongue-in-cheek mystery featuring a strong yet quirky female protagonist and an honest and down-to-earth narrator. I will absolutely admit that when this landed on my shelf I immediately rolled my eyes and thought, "Oh sweet baby cheeses, not ANOTHER Sherlock Holmes spin off", but I genuinely enjoyed this tale and quickly warmed to the characters mostly, I think, due to the endearing and self-deprecating voice of John Watson, the narrator. John felt like a pretty authentic young lad who has just moved to a new city (again) and is faced with the task of making friends (any friends) to avoid having to think about his dad's disappearing act. Shelby is supremely annoying in some parts, in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, but the author does a good job of pointing out (through John's observations) her vulnerabilities and desire for camaraderie. The story deals with a mystery involving a wealthy family and a disappearing dog which is solved eloquently in the end, leaving everyone something to think about.
I would certainly recommend this to young readers who enjoy mystery mixed with humour in a setting that allows real-life issues - like making friends, dealing with parental separation and moving to a new city - to come to the fore. The characters are well-developed enough to give the story a bit of depth and the mystery is interesting enough to have youngsters guessing along until the big reveal. Even if you are a bit over re-hashed detective concepts for middle grade readers, this one is genuinely warm and worth a look.
3.5 stars
Ten Second Synopsis:
John Watson has just moved to New York when he bumps into the indescribably weird Shelby Holmes, who lives in his building. Desperate to make friends, John tags along with Shelby, only to be drawn into a bizarre case of dognapping that needs the keen eye of a super detective (and assistant) if it is to be solved in time!
This is a fun and tongue-in-cheek mystery featuring a strong yet quirky female protagonist and an honest and down-to-earth narrator. I will absolutely admit that when this landed on my shelf I immediately rolled my eyes and thought, "Oh sweet baby cheeses, not ANOTHER Sherlock Holmes spin off", but I genuinely enjoyed this tale and quickly warmed to the characters mostly, I think, due to the endearing and self-deprecating voice of John Watson, the narrator. John felt like a pretty authentic young lad who has just moved to a new city (again) and is faced with the task of making friends (any friends) to avoid having to think about his dad's disappearing act. Shelby is supremely annoying in some parts, in true Sherlock Holmes fashion, but the author does a good job of pointing out (through John's observations) her vulnerabilities and desire for camaraderie. The story deals with a mystery involving a wealthy family and a disappearing dog which is solved eloquently in the end, leaving everyone something to think about.
I would certainly recommend this to young readers who enjoy mystery mixed with humour in a setting that allows real-life issues - like making friends, dealing with parental separation and moving to a new city - to come to the fore. The characters are well-developed enough to give the story a bit of depth and the mystery is interesting enough to have youngsters guessing along until the big reveal. Even if you are a bit over re-hashed detective concepts for middle grade readers, this one is genuinely warm and worth a look.
October 2, 2016
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review. I enjoyed reading this mystery novel featuring a smart and sassy nine-year-old sixth grader who is somewhat of a neighborhood celebrity because of her great ability as a detective. When eleven-year-old John Watson moves into the same Harlem apartment building, the two of them team up to investigate the strange disappearance of a classmate's dog.
Readers that enjoyed the Cam Jansen mystery series, will appreciate Shelby Holmes. This character, will appeal to middle grade readers who are ready for older, more sophisticated characters. Shelby, who is a bit peculiar and lacks social graces, has a knack for being very observant and paying close attention to details. These qualities help her solve all sorts of mysteries in her neighborhood, mysteries that even the police can't solve.
Even though she is a few years younger than John, she's his only friend in New York City. He relies on her to help him find his way around, including showing him how to ride the subway. But while she's an important help to him, she's also not very friendly to him. She often makes him feel awkward and stupid, so he's not sure if she's his friend or not.
One of her wealthier classmates' show dog, Daisy has disappeared. John accompanies Shelby as she investigates, and winds up learning a lot about observing and really paying attention to what's really happening. This book would make a great series, as I finished the book wanting to learn more about the characters. I definitely want to read about the future cases they'll solve!
Readers that enjoyed the Cam Jansen mystery series, will appreciate Shelby Holmes. This character, will appeal to middle grade readers who are ready for older, more sophisticated characters. Shelby, who is a bit peculiar and lacks social graces, has a knack for being very observant and paying close attention to details. These qualities help her solve all sorts of mysteries in her neighborhood, mysteries that even the police can't solve.
Even though she is a few years younger than John, she's his only friend in New York City. He relies on her to help him find his way around, including showing him how to ride the subway. But while she's an important help to him, she's also not very friendly to him. She often makes him feel awkward and stupid, so he's not sure if she's his friend or not.
One of her wealthier classmates' show dog, Daisy has disappeared. John accompanies Shelby as she investigates, and winds up learning a lot about observing and really paying attention to what's really happening. This book would make a great series, as I finished the book wanting to learn more about the characters. I definitely want to read about the future cases they'll solve!
July 22, 2018
I do not read much middle grade - I tend to be YA and up. But this one was strongly recommended and I got a copy for free so why not, right? It's short and will be a fast read.
Glad I went for it. The Great Shelby Homes was seriously cute and I could really see a middle grade reader enjoying it. The characters are relateable and the mystery was fun. Yes, I solved it super fast but I'm an adult reader and the mystery wasn't meant for my age bracket. I think the right age group would have a tougher time solving it, while still being able to, making it that much more fun for them.
Shelby is definitely Gifted and Talented and I love that she came with so many of the, sometimes annoying, eccentricities that can entail. And I loved that John Watson (who goes by Watson due to Shelby renaming him basically) struggled with finding her interesting but annoying, and realizing they could be friends just the same. He saw through some of her eccentricities and saw a girl who didn't have friends but could actually be a good friend. But it took him a minute to get there and to see her overtures of friendship. I thought that made this a particularly good book for kids, hopefully they could learn how to approach friendship with some "annoying" or "weird" kids from John.
I will probably eventually read more of the series. I might even consider reading this series to my Kinders. I don't think it's too advanced for them to understand and relate to -- and it would yield some good discussions about friendship too.
Glad I went for it. The Great Shelby Homes was seriously cute and I could really see a middle grade reader enjoying it. The characters are relateable and the mystery was fun. Yes, I solved it super fast but I'm an adult reader and the mystery wasn't meant for my age bracket. I think the right age group would have a tougher time solving it, while still being able to, making it that much more fun for them.
Shelby is definitely Gifted and Talented and I love that she came with so many of the, sometimes annoying, eccentricities that can entail. And I loved that John Watson (who goes by Watson due to Shelby renaming him basically) struggled with finding her interesting but annoying, and realizing they could be friends just the same. He saw through some of her eccentricities and saw a girl who didn't have friends but could actually be a good friend. But it took him a minute to get there and to see her overtures of friendship. I thought that made this a particularly good book for kids, hopefully they could learn how to approach friendship with some "annoying" or "weird" kids from John.
I will probably eventually read more of the series. I might even consider reading this series to my Kinders. I don't think it's too advanced for them to understand and relate to -- and it would yield some good discussions about friendship too.
November 14, 2019
A cute twist on the traditional Sherlock Holmes story line.
11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC. Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.
What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.
What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.
Still, all-in-all, a fun read.
4 out of 5 stars
11-year-old John Watson isn’t sure what to make of his new home at 221 Baker Street, in Harlem, NYC. Being a military brat, he’s accustomed to moving a lot and has always found it pretty easy to make friends. Then he meets his new neighbor, 9-year-old Shelby Holmes, and his whole life changes. A renowned neighborhood detective, Shelby is asked to solve a crime involving the disappearance of a classmate’s show dog, and somehow, John gets pulled into the mystery with her. Utilizing her smarts and his social skills, the two solve the case and along the way, become friends.
What I liked: Great characters…I just love John Watson. Shelby comes across a bit egocentric and bossy, but then, that would be how Sherlock Holmes would most likely have come across as a child as well, so I understand. Her relationship with Watson develops nicely throughout the book, and the mystery was cute, even if not too dramatic. References to the original Sherlock Holmes throughout the book were fun as well.
What I did not like: In trying to maintain the Sherlock story line, the author includes minor characters such as Michael Holmes, Shelby’s (also smart) brother, and Detective Lestrade. The only scene with the brother felt so forced it was uncomfortable, and Lestrade came across as not only incompetent, but also completely unnecessary to the story line.
Still, all-in-all, a fun read.
4 out of 5 stars
October 24, 2017
Solid mystery/realistic fiction book for kids in the 9-12 age range. New to the city John Watson meets Shelby Holmes, a quirky, extremely intelligent 9 year old with a penchant for solving neighborhood crimes by using her keen powers of observation. While John is adept at making new friends wherever his mom's military career lands him, Shelby is clueless in matters of dealing with others in a way that resembles friendliness. But the two of them manage to stumble their way through a missing dog mystery and the pitfalls of a partnership/friendship between two very mismatched sixth graders. Yes, a 9 year old sixth grader...Shelby skipped a grade or two along the way. Even readers who are not big fans of mysteries will find a lot to enjoy in this 2017-2018 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee--family drama, interesting tidbits of knowledge on a variety of topics, shaky attempts at making and being friends, touches of humor, and two very well-developed and likable characters. I am glad that not only do I have copies of this first middle grades book by established YA author Elizabeth Eulberg (The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice....), but I also own the second in what looks to be a successful series.
February 3, 2019
This was so darn fun. I can't wait to try the next 2 that are out now. I adore Elizabeth Eulberg, and not just because she's a WI girl. But I do love her for that. I adore her because she's one of the most friendly authors I have met. It means a lot to a little school librarian to have an author take 5 minutes to visit with them at a ginormous conference.
Anyway, back to the book...When John Watson moves to New York City with his mother his life is in a big transition. His parents are divorcing so this is the first time he is living in a house without his dad, his mom has left the service and they are not living on a base for the first time, AND the biggest one is that his mom keeps telling him this is a forever home. Watson is the narrator and I really enjoyed his point of view as he discovers his new environment and his new neighbor. This new neighbor is Shelby Holmes, who has the classic power of observation that fascinates. She enters his life with an explosion, literally, and...
To read more, go to:
Anyway, back to the book...When John Watson moves to New York City with his mother his life is in a big transition. His parents are divorcing so this is the first time he is living in a house without his dad, his mom has left the service and they are not living on a base for the first time, AND the biggest one is that his mom keeps telling him this is a forever home. Watson is the narrator and I really enjoyed his point of view as he discovers his new environment and his new neighbor. This new neighbor is Shelby Holmes, who has the classic power of observation that fascinates. She enters his life with an explosion, literally, and...
To read more, go to:
August 18, 2017
What a fun read! I read The Great Shelby Holmes with my 10-year-old daughter and we both loved it. John Watson is an enlightened, open-minded, easy going, sympathetic 11-year-old narrator/writer, who is easy for both my daughter and me to identify with. Shelby Holmes, much like her namesake Sherlock, is brilliant, eccentric, quirky, and uses deductive reasoning to solve crimes. It's hard to remember sometimes that she's only 9-years-old! The relationship between Holmes and Watson develops from that of a begrudging tolerance of each other's presence, to that of mutual necessity, to detective and detective's assistant, to partners, to friends. Watching this relationship develop and experiencing the nuances as it develops is the true beauty behind this story. The fun can be found in solving the mystery!
My daughter and I can't get enough of Holmes and Watson -- we've already started The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match!
I received a copy of this book from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My daughter and I can't get enough of Holmes and Watson -- we've already started The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match!
I received a copy of this book from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2016
This book was so freaking cute I can hardly stand it! Seriously. It was a fantastic younger retelling of Sherlock with a girl detective and her new sidekick, John Watson. The story is told from his POV and it was interesting how Eulberg took the characteristics and details of the characters we already know and translated them into younger kids. I was a little nervous about how it would work, but it totally did! The mystery is perfect for the younger crowd without it being scary or intense but with plenty of intrigue to keep kids engaged. The characters are nine and eleven and I'd say that's a pretty good range for its audience as well. If you have a kid who's ready to graduate from Nate the Great, this would be a perfect next step! And it would make for a fun read-aloud for parents who know the characters and to get everyone's take on who they think did it as the story goes on! I definitely recommend this one!
May 22, 2016
THE GREAT SHELBY HOLMES was everything great that I love about an Elizabeth Eulberg novel: Strong, memorable characters, wit!!!!, great setting, beautiful writing.
The illustrations are wonderful.
I absolutely ADORED this novel and Shelby Holmes and John Watson seemed so real that I pretty much expect that the next time I'm in NYC, I'll see these two roaming the streets of Manhattan with King Arthur, ready to solve a case!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! A must for every middle school, library, and MG readers.
Full review to come.
The illustrations are wonderful.
I absolutely ADORED this novel and Shelby Holmes and John Watson seemed so real that I pretty much expect that the next time I'm in NYC, I'll see these two roaming the streets of Manhattan with King Arthur, ready to solve a case!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! A must for every middle school, library, and MG readers.
Full review to come.
December 31, 2016
John Watson is an eleven-year-old army brat who has just moved to an apartment in New York city with his veteran mom. He soon meets Shelby and her dog. Shelby isn't good with kids, but she knows everyone in the neighborhood. It seems like she has helped everyone, too, with her skills of observation.
When a classmate asks for Shelby's help in solving the mystery of her missing dog, John comes along. His people skills come in handy, and soon it becomes clear that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Very fun update of the Sherlock Holmes genre.
Recommended for ages 9 and up.
When a classmate asks for Shelby's help in solving the mystery of her missing dog, John comes along. His people skills come in handy, and soon it becomes clear that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Very fun update of the Sherlock Holmes genre.
Recommended for ages 9 and up.
April 2, 2018
A nice take on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Both Sherlock and Watson have been changed into children in this version and they live in NYC instead of London. Shelby as Sherlock may confuse some younger readers with her higher vocabulary but young John Watson will likely resonate with them. The book, for me, was a little dull until we finally get into the main mystery. 4/5 stars, recommended for 8-10 year old mystery enthusiasts.
September 11, 2019
Me parece un excelente acercamiento a las historias de detectives y más si les gusta Sherlock Holmes tanto como a mí. Elizabeth Eulberg consigue reflejar lo mejor de esa personalidad tan enigmática en una niña de nueve años que no dejará de sacar sonrisas. Adiviné al culpable demasiado pronto, pero me parece que tiene unas referencias exquisitas a los cuentos de Doyle y hasta de la serie de la BBC. Una lectura ágil y divertida para estos días de problemas inacabables.
May 17, 2017
This will interest upper elementary kids who like a mystery with a little humor. I enjoyed the comparisons with the Sherlock series. It's on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee list for 2017 - 2018 for a good reason - it can encourage interest in further reading. Good read reviewed by a teacher always reading book choices to engage the reluctant reader.
March 1, 2018
Such a cute, fun book! I really enjoyed this start to a new mystery series from one of my favorite authors. I read it extremely quickly for me because it was so hard to put down. The mystery was very intriguing and I had no idea who the culprit was until practically right before the reveal. Shelby and John are a great team, and I loved their adventures together.
January 27, 2017
Like Elementary it's set in New York City. That gives a familiar city for Watson to adventure in with Shelby, while removing it from the clichés that pop up when set in London.
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2017...
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2017...
October 26, 2019
I’m not near as huge of a Sherlock fan as my hubby, but this was all kinds of fun; the perfect middle grade mystery! Absolutely loved The Great Shelby Holmes and can’t wait to read book two in the series!
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February 24, 2016So so so so so so cute. I am filled with warm fuzzies.
June 26, 2016
Cute, fun, and clever.
April 25, 2017
love this book :)
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