Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Mr. Whiskers is a paw-some new dog detective from an Edgar Award winning author. He's on the trail of a kidnapped dad, pirate treasure, and a place to call home...

Mr. Whiskers is a street-wise stray dog with a nose for trouble and a fondness for two girls he calls the Shenanigan Sisters. So when Misty and Zelda’s professor father is kidnapped, Mr. Whiskers follows that car, picking up vital clues. 

Then the two intrepid girls and one great dog follow the trail through the streets of San Francisco, discovering hidden passageways, buried secrets, and even pirate treasure. 

But will they be able to rescue Dad? You bet your best biscuit, they will!

Wendelin Van Draanen's new mystery is the ulti-mutt kid-pleasing caper.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Audiobook

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Wendelin Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens. She is the author of the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes series, and wrote Flipped which was named a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by SLJ, and became a Warner Brothers feature film with Rob Reiner directing. Her novel The Running Dream was awarded ALA’s Schneider Family Award for its portrayal of the disability experience.

Van Draanen's latest book, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guided, designed to encourage aspiring writers to pursue their dream.

Van Draanen is also the author of two short chapter-book series. The Gecko & Sticky books, are fun read-alouds, perfect for reluctant readers, and the Shredderman books—featuring a boy who deals with a bully—received the Christopher Award for “affirming the highest values of the human spirit” and became a Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie.

Van Draanen was a classroom teacher for fifteen years. She and her husband reside in California and have two sons.

Reviews

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this middle grade story about a stray dog (Mr. Whiskers) who helps 2 sisters whose dad gets kidnapped. Of course there is so much more--a fake FBI agent, a secret room, a pirate's chest and of course other neighborhood dogs. And it's written so cleverly with lots of word play around dog terms. To be honest, it's also a 'dog gone' good mystery. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment!

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads with the little.

[Dinnu Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast and very cute children's story. Perfect for animal lovers and a great palate cleanser. 😊

[Tracey Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was so much fun and I literally was cackling at Mr Whisker's puns and the names he called humans. I found Mr Whiskers a very charismatic character so look out Scooby Doo you have competition.

I loved Misty and Zelda as they seemed to be very clever and were able to tell when someone was telling lies unlike the adults and they were very resourceful too.

Again I am not going into spoiler territory but I will say that I loved the way Wendelin wove scenes of San Francisco throughout the story and I felt like I was there.

I would love to see these characters again and for the reasons above I am giving the wonderful Mr Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters 5 massive stars.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick mystery with a clever canine narrator. Scents of both Nancy Drew and the Buddy Files mixed in with the San Francisco setting.

Popsugar24: #12 - A book from an animal's POV

RATL24: Mystery

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute read! #sequouyahnominee

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute dog mystery that a lot of kids will love. It's told from the dog's, Mr. Whiskers, point of view and at first I thought the puns would be too much for me, but it grew on me. A surprisingly action packed adventure with a dadnapping and the kids and Mr. Whiskers a big part of the action to save the day. Also, there are pirate stories and treasure. A fun mix and a quick read. A good suggestion for animal or mystery loving readers in grades 3-5.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mystery told from the dog’s pov. The father of the family goes missing and the Mr Whiskers is on the case. I feel like it’s a pretty classic mystery. Students who like dog humor will enjoy.

[Lori Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mystery for young readers! The Nanigan sisters solve the kidnapping of their father with the help of Mr Whiskers. Great fun and a mystery to boot!

[Katherine Bichler · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5 STARS

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery/Adventure

Synopsis:
A dog helps two girls find their father after he gets kidnapped.

This was a super cute book! It is told from the dog’s point of view, so if you are a dog lover, you will like this book. There are riddles to solve and secret rooms to discover along with a few villains. It is a fast paced, short adventure book that you can read in one sitting. I would read more from this author!

Thank you Random House Kids for the ARC! 🐶

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, I love mr. whiskers, is he not adorable? And I love how he nicknamed the Nanigan sister the Shenanigan Sisters, lol. That just ticked me pink. These sisters are just the sweetest and most curious and Mr. Whiskers makes a great companion for them. And when their dad, a college professor is kidnapped by an “FBI” agent, the girls know something suspicious is up and only they and their loyal dog friend can save him. Dad’s parting words left them with some clues that will lead to a secret room in the boarding house they are staying at, a wild bicycle ride around town and to straight to the heart of the mystery which will surprise everyone involved. It’s a tail-wagging good time and it will leave you howling that the next book is a long time coming.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Whiskers, a former stray dog, was adopted by two brave girls. He had an extremely powerful nose, and helped the girls find their father. But was he lost? Or was he “dadnapped?”
This book was definitely a page-turner, full of suspense, and heartwarming. I highly recommend this book to people who love Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and dog lovers.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute! I turned around and listened to it with my girls (9, 7, and 5) the same month on a car trip and they loved it! It has a fun mystery, great characters, and jokes that even my five year old could understand and appreciate.

[Lisa Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Book Review: "Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters"**

Move over, Sherlock Holmes—there’s a new detective in town, and he’s got four legs, a wagging tail, and an unquenchable thirst for justice (and probably some table scraps). Mr. Whiskers, the scrappy, street-wise canine sleuth, isn’t just chasing cars—he’s chasing *clues*. And when his favorite humans, the Shenanigan Sisters (a.k.a. Misty and Zelda), find themselves in a full-blown *dad-napping* situation, he does what any good dog would do: follows that suspicious vehicle like it’s delivering a fresh rotisserie chicken.

What unfolds next is a high-energy romp through San Francisco that includes hidden tunnels, pirate treasure, and enough twists to make your head spin like a dizzy dachshund. Misty and Zelda bring all the brains and bravery, while Mr. Whiskers provides the nose, the charm, and probably a few comedic moments of rolling in something he shouldn’t.

The big question: Will they save their dad? Listen, if you think *Mr. Whiskers* would let a bunch of goons get away with this, you clearly underestimate the power of a determined dog on a mission. Let’s just say there’s a reason he’s the goodest of boys.

Hilarious, fast-paced, and packed with adventure, this book will have you cheering, laughing, and possibly considering hiring a dog as your next private investigator. Five out of five biscuits—would read again!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Whiskers has a nose for trouble as well as other things he might be sniffing around for. He a stray who has found a good place to hang out. That place is the Merryweather, an old house in San Francisco that is currently serving as a bordering house for folks. Mr. Whiskers is very fond of two young girls that he calls the Shenanigan Sisters. Things get interesting when a FBI agent shows up looking for the father of the two girls. Mr. Whiskers’ sniffer tells him that there is something fishy about this FBI agent. Then it happens, Zelda and Misty’s father is Dadnapped. The girls with their venturesome K9 start sniffing and looking for clues to whereabouts of their dad. Following the sniffs, they venture into the streets of San Francisco, discovering secret passageways, hidden objects and pirate treasure. Yes, indeed, pirate treasure that has tangles leading back to the Merryweather. Rescuing their father certainly be a challenge. Zelda and Misty are up for the challenge and Mr. Whiskers is right there beside them all the way.

Ms Draanen has penned another delightful novel that speaks of mystery, adventure and love. This book will touch your heart, make you laugh and cause you to perhaps look at dogs a little differently. This book is worth every turn of the page. The reader will not be disappointed.

[Caradith Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the perspective of a street-wise, slobbering, tail-wagging canine, comes a laugh-out-loud, howling, rip-roaring mystery that will leave its readers begging for more wild and crazy adventures with Mr. Whiskers, the Shenanigan Sisters, and a cast of interesting supporting characters who will keep readers trying to guess their next moves. .The illustrations throughout the novel depict the storyline perfectly.

Wendelin Van Draanen delivers another delightful, creative story with her extraordinary use of language, unforgettable characters, and plot development that keeps the reader's attention from the first words:: "I smell trouble" to the final page and illustration. Wendelin wraps up this rollicking suspense adventure with a surprise, satisfying conclusion. It leaves the reader wanting more from the mischievous, savvy sleuth Mr. Whiskers and his sidekicks, Misty and Zelda.

This title belongs in every public library juvenile section and on upper-elementary/middle school library shelves. It will make a wonderful read-aloud for librarians and classroom teachers. Pre-order your copy and join these irascible characters as they discover a skeleton key under the feet of an urn that will lead them to unlocking the door to misadventure and hilarious antics.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🐕 want to read a book from a dog’s POV
🏠 live in a haunted house full of secrets
🪙 ever found hidden treasure
🌽 love corn on the cob

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Mr. Whiskers is a street-wise stray dog with a nose for trouble and a fondness for two girls he calls the Shenanigan Sisters. So when Misty and Zelda’s professor father is kidnapped, Mr. Whiskers follows that car, picking up vital clues.

Then the two intrepid girls and one great dog follow the trail through the streets of San Francisco, discovering hidden passageways, buried secrets, and even pirate treasure.

But will they be able to rescue Dad? You bet your best biscuit, they will!

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such a cute read that really grabbed my attention right from the start because it’s told entirely from the dog’s POV! Mr. Whiskers is a stray pup that’s become a companion to the Nanigan sisters, and when he helps them find their kidnapped dad, they form an even tighter bond. I loved all of the silly dog puns throughout the story and enjoyed that they made their way all over town. The girls are only 10 and 11 but were wise behind their years! I also loved that the dog called them the Shenanigans and the dad Henanigan! I can’t wait to see what these girls and their pup get up to in the future!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a fun mystery romp this one was. I just loved the way Misty and Zelda, better known as the Shenanigan Sisters, knew right away who was lying and wasn't to be trusted, unlike some of the adults. Good on them for picking up on their dad's final words to them when he was taken away by the fake FBI agent. They did a great job of finding, figuring out, and following all the clues.  And I absolutely adored Mr. Whiskers, especially all of his hilarious names for humans. He made the perfect sidekick, bad guy chaser, and treasure finder that the sisters needed in the race to find their father.

Is it just me, or did anyone else think about the Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Book Scavenger series when reading this book? It also takes place in San Francisco and stars two kids, Emily and James, who are about the same age as sisters Misty and Zelda. Like Misty and Zelda, they live in the same style and era of house in the same part of the city. And like Misty and Zelda they love mysteries and puzzles and catch onto things way faster and are much smarter than all the adults around them. I kept thinking as I was reading this book that Misty and Zelda really needed to go find Emily and James, since they're practically neighbors, and go have some fun together solving some mysteries.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for middle graders in search of mysteries that are a bit off the beaten path and feature quirky characters will find it in this title, a 3.5 for me. Sisters Misty, 10, and Zelda, 11, Nanigan, live in Merryweather, a rather ramshackle house with their father. When he is removed from the premises by a man claiming to be from the FBI, the girls decide that it's up to them to find him. Using clues he left as he was being kidnapped, the girls follow various breadcrumbs that take them to some surprising places and result in the discovery of secret passageways and treasure. They're accompanied by a stray dog, Mr. Whiskers, that they often sneak into the house and slip tidbits from the dinner table. Since the story is narrated by Mr. Whiskers, who calls the girls the Shenanigan Sisters--hence, the title--readers are treated to a dog's eye view of life as well as plenty of canine-related puns. Plus, Mr. Whiskers has opportunity to lament his long-lost love and what might have been while perhaps finding a home of his own over the course of the book. This surely must be the start of an appealing, age-appropriate new mystery series filled with clever, snappy writing.

[Debbie De Salvo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Ms. Van Draanen’s absolute best novel for middle school students remains “Flipped.” My students loved it so much and I so looked forward to reading it out loud to them every spring.
Her latest is a semi-solid novel but is geared more towards 3rd to 5th grade and not middle school.
Its 2 lead female characters are likable sisters,
but lack depth. You couldn’t distinguish one from the other except their hair was different. I really wish the author had included male characters as boys in both elementary & middle school really need a novel to grab onto. Adding the dog as a main character and whose eye’s the story is told is very clever. And I wish there was more interaction with the other dogs in an effort to solve the mystery. Only one chapter (Chapter 8) captured the neighborhood dogs interacting. It was well done, but that was it.
The plot never seemed evolved,
lacked excitement, and was slow moving forward. Kids REALLY want scary adventures in novels, not a detective mystery that is about a pirate’s treasure that wasn’t gripping at all.
Oh, this makes me sad, but it’s a sweet novel.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I loved Van Draanen's "Running Dream" so was excited to see she had a middle grade mystery. My students are always asking for those. I found this to be a little more elementary than middle grade (or maybe my definition is just different than everyone else's...) but I felt like it read really young, more like 3rd grade than 5th/6th grade.
Anyway... Mr. Whiskers is a street smart dog who has found love and acceptance with sisters who live in a boarding house. He can't stay there because *rules* and the aunties who run the place but he hangs out there a lot. One day a fishy smelling guy comes along and kidnaps the girls' dad. Mr. Whiskers and the sisters are on the case to see why! (And to get their dad back.)
Throw in lots of dog puns, a haunted house, and some pirate treasure for a fun book for young readers

[Danielle Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

a super cute middle grade told from the pov of the dog, Mr. Whiskers. I loved being in the dog's perspective throughout the story and how he navigated mostly living on the streets with the sisters taking him into their home when they can sneak him in. (they live in a house that takes in different borders). I loved seeing the sisters' relationship with him from his POV, and how much he loved along with seeing him be super smart and try to let the girls know that he totally understands everything they are saying.

This was a super fun and cute read, and while the contemporary middle grade isn't something I normally gravitate to ( I much prefer horror lol) I would definitely read more by this author in the future

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm far from a middle grader but couldn't pass up this book. Why? Because I love covers and Mr. Whiskers looks a little like my pooch. And... one of my ulti-mutt favorite words is shenanigan. How could I not read this absolutely wonderful story about a stray dog? There are the shenanigan sisters, a pseudo FBI agent, more dogs, a pirate chest, and of course a secret room... I loved all the dog puns revolving around the mystery. It was a "ruff" case but no worries, Dad is saved. My thoughts? It was doggone good! Who wants a treat?

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

I've loved Wendelin Van Draanen's mysteries since the first Sammy Keyes a million years ago. This one is aimed at a slightly younger audience, featuring two sisters (ages 10 & 11) and a stray dog who set off to find their father who has been dad-napped. Told from the point of view of Mr. Whiskers (or Whisky for short), the sisters follow clues across Berkeley to find their father. It is a fun, quick mystery for grades 3 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved it. It’s a very fun book with a plot that was complex enough for the target age group and cute characters. I felt like it moved a bit too fast and had too many moving bits. There was even a summary at the end where Mr. Whiskers reviews most of the stuff that happened - but it really was just stuff, nothing super meaningful. The characters just bounced from one item to the next in a way that reminded me of how our attention spans are so short nowadays that film clips are fractions of a second long.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Mr. Whiskers is a stray dog that hangs around two sisters, Misty and Zelda Nanigan. When their father is taken away by the "FBI" shouting out a strange reminder for them to Earn their way, they discover a secret room and possible treasure. Since the grownups around them seem bamboozled by the "FBI" the sisters, led by Mr. Whiskers set out to find their father and get to the bottom of things.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want some dog puns? Have some dog puns! And also a sweet family with a single dad living in what is likely an unregulated boarding house with unrelated aunties. Everything goes haywire when suspicious “FBI” agents come and take the dad away. Mr Whiskers the stray tells this story with doggy nuance and perspective that will either hit or just get absorbed into the story for young readers.

Sweet mystery with a lot of heart and some socioeconomic issues.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable MG mystery with a sort-of stray dog narrating the story. Sort-of stray, because the sisters in the story sneak him into the boarding house at times, against the wishes of the boarding house owners. Interesting plot, set in San Francisco; however, very little of the flavor of SF comes through in the story, except for a mention of Fisherman's Wharf.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Whiskers is a street wise stray dog, who has taking a liking to Misty and Zelda Nanigan who he calls the Shenanigan Sisters. When their father is kidnapped it's up to Mr. Whiskers to help solve the mystery as to why this has taken place. The hardest part is convincing the humans that he actually knows what he is doing.

[Lauren King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super cute! Definitely more of a “children’s” chapter book than middle grades, in my opinion, but I definitely enjoyed it for what it was! Wendelin Van Draanen holds a special place in my heart from the Sammy Keyes mysteries that I reread often, and I was thrilled to see she had a new book come out last fall.