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    Ada Lace, on the Case
    Ada Lace, on the Case
    Ada Lace, on the Case
    Ebook92 pages54 minutes

    Ada Lace, on the Case

    By Emily Calandrelli, Tamson Weston and Renée Kurilla

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    From Emily Calandrelli—host of Xploration Outer Space, correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World, and graduate of MIT—comes the first novel in a brand-new chapter book series about an eight-year-old girl with a knack for science, math, and solving mysteries with technology.

    Ada Lace—third-grade scientist and inventor extraordinaire—has discovered something awful: her neighbor’s beloved Yorkie has been dognapped!

    With the assistance of a quirky neighbor named Nina (who is convinced an alien took the doggie) and her ever-growing collection of gadgets, Ada sets out to find the wrongdoer. As their investigation becomes more and more mysterious, Ada and Nina grow closer, proving that opposites do, in fact, attract.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
    Release dateAug 29, 2017
    ISBN9781481486002
    Ada Lace, on the Case
    Author

    Emily Calandrelli

    Emily Calandrelli is an MIT engineer turned Emmy-nominated science TV host. She’s the host and coexecutive producer of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, featured as a correspondent on Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World, and an executive producer and host of Fox’s Xploration Outer Space. Emily is the author of the picture book Reach for the Stars, the science experiment book Stay Curious and Keep Exploring, and the science chapter book series the Ada Lace Adventures. The third book in the series was launched to the International Space Station through the Story Time from Space program. Learn more at TheSpaceGal.com.

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    Reviews for Ada Lace, on the Case

    3.5/5

    11 ratings2 reviews

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    • 3/5
      This is a cute adventure-mystery for children around 7 or 8 years of age. In particular, it is well suited to children with a budding interest in science. It might also be an excellent read for a child who has just moved to a new area. With mom away on business and dad holding down the home, it represents something closer to the modern family instead of relying on dated gender stereotypes. It also advocates for accepting differences in perspective and encourages interest in STEM. There's even a few laughs to be had. It's a good, fun book with great values, but there's nothing particular striking about the story or storytelling itself.I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to all involved in providing me with this opportunity.
    • 4/5
      New to San Francisco, Ada is prompted by her mother to make friends with Nina, a neighborhood girl around her age. Nina is more of a 'free spirit,' while Ada is rigorously scientific. But when Nina suggests that the neighborhood is like an ecosystem, Ada is intrigued and starts studying her surroundings more thoroughly. And when a neighbor is spotted without her loyal dog by her side, Ada and Nina fear the worse. They begin investigating the case of the dognapping.

      This book had a lot of pluses. Ada and Nina are both likeable characters, albeit with very different personalities. Ada shows young readers how interesting science can be, with gecko gloves, tablets, drones, etc. smattering the pages of this book. (Even her name appears to be a callback to famous scientist Ada Lovelace). Some notes at the back of the book go into a little bit more detail about the technology featured in its pages. In addition, the book is easily readable, with short chapters and illustrations throughout -- the perfect bridge for children moving away from longer early readers but not quite ready to grapple with 200 page middle-grade novels. The mystery is compelling, and the ending does manage to surprise. The drawn illustrations indicate a diverse community, which is good to see.

      However -- and this is a big however for me -- the plot of the book so closely resembles the movie Rear Window, just with a more kid-friendly vibe, that it bothers me quite a bit that the authors don't acknowledge this anywhere. Ada's leg is in a cast and she stuck behind her window, looking out at the courtyard and wondering about what her neighbors are doing. Instead of a murdered wife grabbing her attention, it's a missing dog (but note there is a dog who plays a big role in Rear Window as well). Ada and Nina are unlike each other, but manage to have a good relationship despite an argument about their differences, just like Jeff and Lisa in the film. Nina even sneaks into the main suspect's apartment in a daring attempt, as does Lisa in the movie. The parallels are too strong to not be mentioned.

      I'm not sure if the pros quite outweigh the con, but I'm cautiously hopeful the follow-up book in the series will be more original in its plot while featuring the same selling points of this novel.

    Book preview

    Ada Lace, on the Case - Emily Calandrelli

    Chapter One

    GOOD-BYE WITH A SIDE OF BACON

    Ada was sick of sitting. She was sick of the cast on her leg. She was sick of watching the world go by without her. She should be outside, exploring the neighborhood and researching the local wildlife, but she was stuck inside. And it was her own fault.

    Their first week in San Francisco, Ada had attempted a bungee jump from a eucalyptus tree in the park. It was a jump she could have made with no bungee. The bungee was capable of stretching 50 percent of its length with her attached to it, but the branch was barely high enough to make the line taut. It was a careless mistake.

    While Ada was brooding, her mom came in.

    Do you think you might come have breakfast with me before I go? her mother asked.

    I guess so. I was hoping we could skip the good-bye part, said Ada.

    I’ll only be gone for a few days, said Ada’s mom. These artists need a little bit of handholding. They aren’t as tough as you are. I’ll be back in time for your first day at school.

    Ada attempted a smile and, on her crutches, followed her mom down the stairs only to be nearly flattened by her brother, Elliott, outside the kitchen. He was wearing an eyepatch and a vest. A stuffed parrot hung lamely from his shoulder. Ada had been reading Treasure Island with Elliott. Now Elliott was determined to find buried treasure. Until then he was dressing the part.

    Easy there, mate, said Ada’s mom. You almost capsized your sister.

    Yarr! said Elliott. That’s ‘Captain’ to you. Get that straight, lady, or you’ll walk the plank!

    Tone it down, Elliott, or you’ll spend the weekend in your room, said Ms. Lace.

    Sorry, me lady, said Elliott.

    Do I have to make you swab the poop deck, Elliott? asked Mr. Lace. He placed a plate of French toast in front of Ada. It had crossed eyes.

    Thanks, Pop, said Ada. It was hard to stay grumpy around her dad.

    This blasted parrot won’t sit! said Elliott.

    You need to secure his tail feathers. Ada wrapped the string around the parrot’s tail and feet then tied it. That requires a square knot. What you had was a granny.

    Arrgh! There ye be, Ruffles. Good bird, said Elliott.

    Ada, do you remember that lady we met at the farmer’s market? Glenda? asked Ada’s mom. Her daughter’s about your age. They live over on Polymer Street. You should get together with her.

    And do what, jump rope? said Ada, looking down at her cast.

    Very funny, said Ada’s mom. How about you have her over?

    Ada shrugged. She wasn’t in the mood to entertain.

    It would give you a head start on being the new kid, said Ada’s mom. She stood, stuffing one last piece of bacon in her mouth. Just think about it. I’ll leave the phone number.

    Kay, said Ada. Her mom gave her a kiss on the cheek. Ms. Lace hugged her husband and her son and collected her bags.

    Bon voyage! yelled Elliott. Bring me back some gold!

    Ada’s mom squatted beside Ada’s chair. Cheer up, sweet pea. You’ll be the queen of Juniper Garden before you know it.

    Chapter Two

    JUNIPER GARDEN

    After her mom left, Ada returned to her room to unpack the last few boxes. As she opened the first one, she was lost in a sea of memories. In it were soil samples, rocks, and some pressed leaves from the woods by her old house in West Virginia. The whole box smelled like West Virginia. There was also last year’s science project, which she’d worked on with her friend Anna. Anna and Ada had been partners in everything. They’d had

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