A very sweet and simple MG reader in the same vein as his adult No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. Very simple plot and little character development make this a very quick read but not very fulfilling. The great information about Africa contained in the book would make it a really good multi-cultural read for classrooms. Not amazing but would probably be enjoyed by younger readers, especially girls in grades 2 - 5. Yay! I read The No. 1 Ladies Etc and enjoyed it alot, but I think I liked this better. It maintains the same voice and the same positive, reflective attitude of the original book, but it also includes some super-rocking wood-cut type illustrations, integrated lessons on how to pronounce some Botswanian names, and a single lovely mystery with complete with delicious cake, vilified fat kids (hooray!), and the beginnings of a life-long vocation in detectivery. It really made me smile -- Precious Ramotswe is a great character in literature, even if I don't love mysteries. Frankly, this is about as much mystery as I can follow and remember. :) A great way to share a love of Precious between kids and adults - I think I'll read more of AMS's kids stuff!
What do You think about Great Cake Mystery (Lib) (2012)?
Always a pleasure to read about Precious Ramotswe.
—jinxedjane
