What's Behind the Walls?

When CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their baby sister move to 5^th Avenue from Brooklyn their lives change dramatically. With their new address comes fancy private schools and distance from old friends. They aren't happy about it until they stumble upon clues to a mystery that's almost 100 years old. Bouncing a tennis ball, which goes astray, leads them to a mysterious message behind a wall, and they discover a way overdue library book (it was due in 1937). They don't realize that returning the book will change their lives forever. They aren’t the only ones trying to solve the mystery. But, not everyone has access to the poems written on the walls of their apartment, and they also have a handwritten book of poems that must mean something. But, what? Is the man who is has been creeping around their apartment safe? Who is Eloise from downstairs? Was a treasure really hidden? Could something like that even still be there after all these years? Is it possible for three kids to solve a mystery that no one has been able to solve in all these years? You have to read this adventure! See if you can solve the case!

Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry was right up my alley. I love to solve mysteries and so do these kids. Put us in an apartment together and we'd have lots of fun! I like that the mystery was based around poems because I read a variety of different ones in this book, and I feel like not only was I getting to solve the mystery, but I learned a lot too. It was also great that there were codes and puzzles for the reader to solve along with the characters. I liked CJ and Brid, but their younger brother Patrick was probably my favorite. I think I'll skip having him write any letters to my teachers though after seeing what he wrote (you will laugh out loud). Eloise is an excellent character and she added so much to the story. This was my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more books by her in the future, especially the rest of the series which has been exciting so far. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up. I think younger kids could enjoy it with an adult but they might need some help and some explanations to solve the problems/codes. Anyone who lives in NYC will have a blast and the upper hand when trying to figure out the clues. I know I have some places to visit soon to see if they match what was in the book.   

Has anyone else read Walls Within Walls? Or have you read another book by Maureen Sherry? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

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