Ghost Diamond!

Agent Amelia #1

by Michael Broad

The first title in a new series introduces a delightful new character to emerging readers — the intrepid and resourceful Agent Amelia, Secret Agent, who saves the world from evil geniuses and criminal masterminds thanks to her clever disguises, great gadgets (which sometimes work), and her brilliance at improvising in sticky situations.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Childrens, Chapter Books

Paperback

First published April 24, 2007

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, funny read. I loved the drawings and Amelia's spunk.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am trying to read the first book in all the elementary series at our library. This series is truly amusing. The illustrations are really great. They make me laugh.

This story is about a girl who wants to be a secret agent. She even keeps it from her mom. She has disguises and wigs. The train cat foiled robbery story was funny. There were 3 unique stories in the first book-- the museum, the cat, the plant shop....

Students will really like this series once I book talk it.

[Ricotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so good and influential i wanted to explode a cow after reading 🤩🥰😻😹. 5 stars! - ricotta’s

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like that Amelia lies to her mom.

[Claire Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favorite out of all of the other ones so far. I don't have a reason why this is my favorite, but it fun because it has lots of cases in one book.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are funny, short stories about a young girl who goes into secret agent mode and regularly saves the world (at least from her point of view). Reading three in one volume gets a tad repetitive as similar lines come up. However, some genuinely funny moments will make this an attractive early chapter option.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Kidd fancies herself a secret agent. As such, Agent Amelia is always inventing new things to help her solve suspicious cases. She is always on the look out for things that are odd and out of the ordinary, as well as people who are acting funny. In this book, Amelia solves three cases: "The Case of the Ghost Diamond," "The Case of the Catnappers," and "The Case of the Whispering Weeds." Amelia's disguises and gadgets enable her to figure out who might want to steal the ghost diamond, who is stealing all the neighborhood cats and why, and the why and how of someone wanting weeds to take over the land. The pictures included in my "uncorrected proof" were a great addition to the story, and I hope they will be in the final edition.

This book is designed to hit the imagination and detective skills of children from the age of about seven to ten or eleven. It will make a great book for either parents to read to their children, or for children to practice their reading skills. It will also help children use their imagination as they put themselves in Amelia's shoes to solve the case before she does. This book will make a great gift for the children in your life when it comes out later this year. Thank you to Net Galley for my copy!

[Reading Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret Agent Amelia is constantly saving the world from dastardly villains. She fights crime day and night, keeping her identity a secret and coming up with new gadgets (that sometimes work). This story includes three cute mysteries that will have middle grade readers practicing their secret agent skills.

The various gadgets and disguises Amelia uses are amazing. Her impression of an old lady is particularly funny, especially when she runs into her classmates. Amelia’s resourcefulness is incredible. The way she creates and uses spy gadgets makes her seem so professional. I would love to have a hand grabber to give me super reach!

There are plenty of drawings as well. They look like Amelia could have drawn them, which I find is a nice touch. The drawings helped me picture the story in my mind and enhanced my reading.

The fun doesn’t end here. Amelia has three more books (Zombie Cows, Spooky Ballet, and Golden Casefiles) to showcase her secret agent talents.

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

Pink and purple rule for Agent Amelia. This cover reminds me of a comic book, but just for girls. Amelia’s camo pants are cute and I like how the title is written sideways. Nice!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia fancies herself to be a very important secret agent. She has her fingers on the pulse of the ever growing mastermind and evil genius population. Her wonderful adventures will have readers flipping the pages to witness her saving the world. Young readers may not believe her paranoid personality at first, but they will keep flipping the pages. Ghost Diamond has Amelia busy with a class trip to the museum. She suspects her teacher Ms. Granger, of being an evil genius out to conquer the world. Amelia sets out to unravel Ms. Granger's web of deceit. In The Case of the Catnappers, Amelia is prepared to save the world yet again. Proprietors of a fish company have kidnapped all of the cats in the neighborhood. Amelia must foil their evil plans and figures out a way to stop them. In The Case of the Whispering Weeds, Amelia must save the world from a mysterious army of dancing and hissing weeds. In all three stories she not only has to defeat the villains she has to defeat her nemesis Trudy along with her cronies. Young readers will get a kick out of Amelia's fast paced speech and super costumes to say the least. Parents will love these books for their kids because they are a fast and easy read and the kids will want more.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Kidd not just an average, ordinary kid; after all, she is a secret agent, always on the case and looking for crimes to solve. In this book, she solves three different cases: nabbing her teacher, Ms. Granger, in the act of stealing a diamond pendant from a museum,thwarting a couple who have trained neighborhood cats to rob the local bank, and stopping an army of weeds from taking over the world. Amelia carries her spy kit with her everywhere she goes--just in case she needs a disguise. Of course, her mother has no idea what her daughter is up to. If the cases aren't too complicated to solve, they are original and allow this youngster to show her smarts.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the world of Amelia Kidd, secret agent. She’s just a kid, but she’s keeping the world safe from criminal masterminds. Like all great spy novels, it’s full of suspense and gadgets. The Case of the Ghost Diamond is a fun little mystery. Actually, it’s 3 fun little mysteries. This book would be well targeted to students in Grade 3-5. The short story format makes for a quick read and it’s a great choice for young readers who aren’t comfortable with longer novels yet. My Grade 4 students loved this first book in the series and want to read more.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though Amelia Kidd has a fun spirit, its mysteries leave more to desire.

Amelia is a budding dectective, solving mysteries with tools and gadgets she gathers herself. The character of Amelia is fun and likeable, but for every mystery, the only suspect is also guilty. Even children want some suspence and variety, and these stories would improve it the reader was left guessing-- at least for a short while.

Children looking for mysteries would be better off checking out Cam Janson or the Boxcar Children.

[Victoria Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves as a great introduction to mysteries for younger students. The cases within are not too complex and give the reader time to think out the situation themselves. The cases act interdependently so the reader or classroom could read the book in either one sitting or spread it across several days on each case. Amelia's personality would keep the readers entertained and make them want to read the other books in this series.

[Beeflie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old daughter practically inhaled this book when I brought it home to her. It was recommended highly by our local children's bookstore when I asked for a book suitable for a 6 year old strong reader who loves adventure and is not "princessy" at all. They sure hit the mark with this book. I'll likely be back for the rest of the series in a few days.

[Deana Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl that imagines herself to be a secret agent. I love that it is written from her point of view, and she shares her little "asides" with the reader. I think that any young reader with a vivid imagination or a sense of adventure will love this book!

[Shannon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a great book. The Ghost Diamond is about the teacher who steals a diamond that would leave a thousand years of darkness. SO Agent Amelia stops her. Another thing I like about the book is the dedication is for Shannon, ha, ha, ha. page 143

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

SLJ. A fun collection of three Agent Amelia stories in one book. The secret spy stories are a bit over the top but will be fun and entertaining stories for 2-3 grade girls.

[Kate Hastings]

RL 740

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agent Amelia will pair well with Melvin Beederman, Superhero. Two good lower level series for my classroom library.

[Stefani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read of 3 short stories. Not very realistic, but so fun kids won't care.

As an adult, I was underwhelmed. I read this in under an hour. Again, kids will enjoy her adventures.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, empowering read for young readers who like to imagine themselves secret agents ready save save the world from innumerable bad guys trying to take over the world.

[Kerri]

Great for a reluctant 2nd -4th grade girl reader. Filled with James Bond type adventure, girls will enjoy following Amelia as she solves crime and mystery with her quirky antics!

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky character who feels very realistic.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 short mysteries to read in this book.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These mysteries are quite far-fetched, but entertaining. Note that this series is written in British English which may be a bit difficult for some readers.