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Drew Leclair
Drew Leclair Gets a Clue
In this modern take on Harriet the Spy , twelve-year-old Drew uses her true crime expertise to catch the cyberbully in her school—only to discover that family, friendship, and identity are the hardest mysteries to solve. Drew Leclair knows what it takes to be a great detective. She’s pored over the cases solved by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto. She tracked down the graffiti artist at school, and even solved the mystery of her neighbor’s missing rabbit. But when her mother runs off to Hawaii with the school guidance counselor, Drew is shocked. How did she miss all of the clues? Drew is determined to keep her family life a secret, even from her best friend. But when a cyberbully starts posting embarrassing rumors about other students at school, it’s only a matter of time before Drew’s secret is out. Armed with her notebooks full of observations about her classmates, Drew knows what she has to profile all of the bullies in her grade to find the culprit. But being a detective is more complicated when the suspects can be your friends. Will Drew crack the case if it means losing the people she cares about most?
278 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
About the author
Katryn Bury
3 books50 followersKatryn Bury works with middle grade readers as a youth library technician. A lifelong true crime nerd, she has a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminology. Her short and serialized fiction can be found in Suspense Magazine and The Sleuth. She lives in Oakland, California with her family and a vast collection of Nancy Drew mysteries.
Website: katrynbury.com Instagram/Twitter: @katrynwrites
Website: katrynbury.com Instagram/Twitter: @katrynwrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
March 29, 2024
This middle grade mystery was an utter delight from start to finish! Mysteries for tweens and teens are relatively rare, so the fact that this one is so well crafted with a quirky and sweet main character so easy to root for is a real treat.
Drew is a complex, lovable character. She is 12 and is a big nerd, particularly for true crime. A cross between Harriet the Spy and Nancy Drew (for whom Drew named!) but also very much her own person, she loves a good mystery to solve, a creepy true crime documentary, a buttery croissant, and a video game hangout with her best (and so far only) friend Shrey.
The plot follows Drew as she chases down a cyberbully while trying to hide the fact that her mom has run off with her school’s guidance counsellor. Ugh, her mom is the worst!! But, not like in a cartoon villain kind of way; she's just realistically self-involved enough to be incapable of putting her kid first or acting like an actual parent. In contrast, Drew's relationship with her dad is wonderful. Drew also slowly makes a new friend over the course of the book and deals with some awkward unrequited romantic feelings from Shrey. These kids are better at talking out their emotions than many grownups I know!
Bury’s smart investigation of the complexities of queerness and sexual/romantic orientation and its dedication to not tying everything up in a neat bow (Drew is only 12!) are a gift. I also loved the disability representation (Drew has asthma and IBS). This book has such a compassionate take on these tweens and their relationships, while also crafting a propulsive mystery plot. (Haha, I didn't guess the culprit and the targeted audience for this book is tweens).
Highly recommended!
Drew is a complex, lovable character. She is 12 and is a big nerd, particularly for true crime. A cross between Harriet the Spy and Nancy Drew (for whom Drew named!) but also very much her own person, she loves a good mystery to solve, a creepy true crime documentary, a buttery croissant, and a video game hangout with her best (and so far only) friend Shrey.
The plot follows Drew as she chases down a cyberbully while trying to hide the fact that her mom has run off with her school’s guidance counsellor. Ugh, her mom is the worst!! But, not like in a cartoon villain kind of way; she's just realistically self-involved enough to be incapable of putting her kid first or acting like an actual parent. In contrast, Drew's relationship with her dad is wonderful. Drew also slowly makes a new friend over the course of the book and deals with some awkward unrequited romantic feelings from Shrey. These kids are better at talking out their emotions than many grownups I know!
Bury’s smart investigation of the complexities of queerness and sexual/romantic orientation and its dedication to not tying everything up in a neat bow (Drew is only 12!) are a gift. I also loved the disability representation (Drew has asthma and IBS). This book has such a compassionate take on these tweens and their relationships, while also crafting a propulsive mystery plot. (Haha, I didn't guess the culprit and the targeted audience for this book is tweens).
Highly recommended!
July 1, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this one! The mystery of the cyberbully was neatly laid out and relatively easy to follow, but still so very exciting. I was genuinely eager to find out who the mysterious Ella Baker Shade was. I loved the characters too. Drew Leclair is an utter darling, and I loved every bit of her journey - from accepting that she still has a ways to go in figuring out her sexual orientation, to her dedication to doing the right thing, to her genuine quirkiness and her love for her friends. Her best friends, Shrey and Trissa, are utterly perfect for her, nerdy enough to keep up with her interests but grounded enough to make sure she doesn't get her head lost in the clouds. I especially love how this book also dealt with the difficult topic of a parent leaving, with hints of healing from trauma handed down from grandparent to parent to child, and of breaking that cycle.
This was such a soft, lovely middle grade book with plenty of lessons to learn all while having fun!
This was such a soft, lovely middle grade book with plenty of lessons to learn all while having fun!
March 18, 2022
Drew Leclair is a 7th grader with a lot on her plate, including that her mom has run off with her school counselor. She’s dealing with bullies, has asthma, is trying to work out why she seems to only be romantically interested in fictional characters over real life humans, and she spends a lot of her spare time researching true crime.
That last bit is what makes her think she’s perfect to solve the school case: who is posting embarrassing secrets about other students? With her friends Shrey and Trissa and her true crime board, how can she fail?
I inhaled the audiobook, narrated by Devon Hales. I adored the friendships, Drew’s relationship with her father, the mystery solving, and watching the kids try to work their way through figuring out life. I really hope this is the start to a series and would love to see it age as we get to watch Drew grow up to work in criminal investigation as is her dream.
(TW fatshaming)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
That last bit is what makes her think she’s perfect to solve the school case: who is posting embarrassing secrets about other students? With her friends Shrey and Trissa and her true crime board, how can she fail?
I inhaled the audiobook, narrated by Devon Hales. I adored the friendships, Drew’s relationship with her father, the mystery solving, and watching the kids try to work their way through figuring out life. I really hope this is the start to a series and would love to see it age as we get to watch Drew grow up to work in criminal investigation as is her dream.
(TW fatshaming)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
March 30, 2022
As soon as I started following Lainoff, author of One for All, on twitter she introduced me to a lot of books with disabled leads. Some of them didn't really sound like my thing, but some of them almost seemed written for me. This book quite clearly was a book in the latter category. We have a mystery, we have a 12-year old girl obsessed with Nancy Drew determined to solve it and our leading girl also has Asthma, which I'm also very familiar with. I was therefore quite excited about this book!
This book might be the perfect middle grade. There is an amazing adventure that will keep kids, and adults, on the edge of their seat. Drew takes her job very seriously. She makes lists with suspects, she makes complete character profiles to see who's modus operandi this instagram account could be and she's even willing to cross a few lines here and there to eventually bring the culprit to justice. Especially before her father or friends get hurt.
Because, even though the case is the most exciting part about the story, the author made sure that the case actually serves Drew's personal journey. At the beginning of the book her mother leaves Drew and her father and Drew only has one best friend. Slowly she's learning how complicated love can be, how amazing it is to have friends and that there are always things more important than trying to stay objective when solving a case.
And there's a lot of growing to do for Drew. Which isn't weird, since Drew is only twelve years old and still struggling with slowly growing older and the world around her changing. Drew is in every possible way a typical twelve year old, albeit with a few not so typical hobbies. Sometimes she's unreasonable, sometimes she messes up, sometimes she has to hit the wall to understand that what she does is wrong, but she's always learning from these experiences.
Ow, and about her Asthma? That's just there. It's not a plot point, it's not a big deal, it's just sometimes troubling her. The author wrote it exactly as it should be!
This book might be the perfect middle grade. There is an amazing adventure that will keep kids, and adults, on the edge of their seat. Drew takes her job very seriously. She makes lists with suspects, she makes complete character profiles to see who's modus operandi this instagram account could be and she's even willing to cross a few lines here and there to eventually bring the culprit to justice. Especially before her father or friends get hurt.
Because, even though the case is the most exciting part about the story, the author made sure that the case actually serves Drew's personal journey. At the beginning of the book her mother leaves Drew and her father and Drew only has one best friend. Slowly she's learning how complicated love can be, how amazing it is to have friends and that there are always things more important than trying to stay objective when solving a case.
And there's a lot of growing to do for Drew. Which isn't weird, since Drew is only twelve years old and still struggling with slowly growing older and the world around her changing. Drew is in every possible way a typical twelve year old, albeit with a few not so typical hobbies. Sometimes she's unreasonable, sometimes she messes up, sometimes she has to hit the wall to understand that what she does is wrong, but she's always learning from these experiences.
Ow, and about her Asthma? That's just there. It's not a plot point, it's not a big deal, it's just sometimes troubling her. The author wrote it exactly as it should be!
December 31, 2022
A fun middle grade mystery with deep, heartfelt moments. The author doesn’t seem afraid to *go there* when it comes to the world of bullies, strained relationships with parents, and dating (or not), and it pays off in such a wonderful read.
February 13, 2021
Super fun! Nancy Drew for Gen-Z!
January 11, 2023
A cute and fun book about friendship, stopping bullies and changing up your modus operandi.
This middle grade book is about sixth grader, Drew Leclair, named after Nancy Drew, with a true crime obsession, a school full of bullies, a mom that's leaving the family, that takes on the case (at her own request) of finding the menacing cyber bully that is posting extremely embarrassing photos of her fellow classmates.
I liked Drew as a main character so much. I could connect to her antisocial and self-isolation, her mom leaving and her love of pastries. She was an extremely fun character to follow along in this book. She has a strong moral compass yet also allows grace to the bullies in this book. She is also a really good friend, that celebrates her friend's differences and is good at communication. I am always here for a bad mom and daughter relationship and this book definitely delivered on that.
I can tell the author has a degree in criminology, because the connection between Drew, her story and true crime were so strong and well handled. I hope the author writes more fictional books about criminology, I would line up to read them. I would love if this were a series but if not I will definitely be checking out books both past and future by this author.
I recommend this book to readers who love middle grade books, mystery/thriller books or anyone who wants a light entertaining read!
This middle grade book is about sixth grader, Drew Leclair, named after Nancy Drew, with a true crime obsession, a school full of bullies, a mom that's leaving the family, that takes on the case (at her own request) of finding the menacing cyber bully that is posting extremely embarrassing photos of her fellow classmates.
I liked Drew as a main character so much. I could connect to her antisocial and self-isolation, her mom leaving and her love of pastries. She was an extremely fun character to follow along in this book. She has a strong moral compass yet also allows grace to the bullies in this book. She is also a really good friend, that celebrates her friend's differences and is good at communication. I am always here for a bad mom and daughter relationship and this book definitely delivered on that.
I can tell the author has a degree in criminology, because the connection between Drew, her story and true crime were so strong and well handled. I hope the author writes more fictional books about criminology, I would line up to read them. I would love if this were a series but if not I will definitely be checking out books both past and future by this author.
I recommend this book to readers who love middle grade books, mystery/thriller books or anyone who wants a light entertaining read!
December 3, 2022
Rep: bi mc with asthma, Black side character, Indian American side character, gay side character
March 6, 2022
I definitely like this book. I hope we have more books to read about Drew. Drew's mom was a horrible character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2021
Thanks to the publisher and edelweiss for an early copy!
This middle grade story was really good. Drew, named after Nancy Drew, is a true crime junkie. She has even solved some mysteries around her town - to a lot of folks’ chagrin. She only has one friend, a friend she’s had for a really long time, and he made things weird recently so she’s feeling a little alone. Especially because her mom literally ran off to an island with her guidance counselor…. Yeah, Drew and her dad are going through it.
So when an exposing drama Instagram account arises at her middle school, and her mom’s drama is part of what’s exposed, Drew decides this is her next case. The Instagram account has mostly focused on cyberbullying the already-bullied kids at school and Drew wants to protect them and herself.
She makes new friends, figures out her relationship with her best friend, messes up with her friends again… deals with grieving her relationship with her mom and realizing that maybe it was never all that great, has some heart to hearts with her dad… it basically just hit a lot of sweet spots for the middle grade age range and was a fun read.
Drew also has asthma and I think IBS, so it’s always good to see some representation of medical conditions!! She’s also fat, unapologetically. Also her friend group is diverse with an Indian kid and a Black kid.
Basically, you probably won’t go wrong giving this to any kid in your life, or even just picking it up yourself for a quick and fun read.
This middle grade story was really good. Drew, named after Nancy Drew, is a true crime junkie. She has even solved some mysteries around her town - to a lot of folks’ chagrin. She only has one friend, a friend she’s had for a really long time, and he made things weird recently so she’s feeling a little alone. Especially because her mom literally ran off to an island with her guidance counselor…. Yeah, Drew and her dad are going through it.
So when an exposing drama Instagram account arises at her middle school, and her mom’s drama is part of what’s exposed, Drew decides this is her next case. The Instagram account has mostly focused on cyberbullying the already-bullied kids at school and Drew wants to protect them and herself.
She makes new friends, figures out her relationship with her best friend, messes up with her friends again… deals with grieving her relationship with her mom and realizing that maybe it was never all that great, has some heart to hearts with her dad… it basically just hit a lot of sweet spots for the middle grade age range and was a fun read.
Drew also has asthma and I think IBS, so it’s always good to see some representation of medical conditions!! She’s also fat, unapologetically. Also her friend group is diverse with an Indian kid and a Black kid.
Basically, you probably won’t go wrong giving this to any kid in your life, or even just picking it up yourself for a quick and fun read.
February 13, 2022
What worked:
The topic of cyberbullying is at the center of the conflict, so the book echoes one of society’s major issues. A hacker publishes shady photos and videos about Drew and some of her classmates that are very humiliating and hurtful. The bully knows the students by name and targets all kinds of personalities. Attacking anonymously via the internet makes the culprit hard to find and gives them the freedom to be especially malicious. Drew’s life is complicated when her mother leaves town with Drew’s counselor, and an embarrassing picture is posted that makes her one of the victims.
The book’s plot involves Drew’s efforts to solve the mystery and discover the identity of the cyberbully. Drew’s named after Nancy Drew, and her hero is a famous author and criminal profiler. The book shares many techniques used in profiling, as Drew has been practicing the skills for years. She even creates a crime board with all of the evidence she’s collected which she uses to analyze suspects’ personalities, motives, and abilities to commit cybercrimes. Readers will read the same evidence as Drew and make predictions about the offender’s identity.
Friendship is an issue since Drew isn’t very good at it. She has one best friend, Shrey, but their relationship’s gotten weird since he tried to kiss her. Trissa is a new girl and seems almost too good to be true. She’s smart and kind, but she’s another one of the cyberbully’s victims. Drew’s unemotional approach is useful when solving crimes, but it’s can be disastrous when dealing with friends. Her analytical mind even starts to wonder if the bully might be someone helping her with the investigation.
What didn’t work as well:
Drew seems to suspect everyone at some point during the story, even herself! Readers may find this overkill, as books normally introduce a more manageable number of suspects to consider. Halfway through the story, Drew actually finds more suspects, not less, although this also leads to solving the crime. Her methods are systematic and scientific, so some readers may not enjoy this style quite as much. However, that’s her personality and what makes her memorable.
The Final Verdict:
While the main conflict is catching a cyberbully, the real story involves Drew’s struggles with being a friend while trying to handle her mother’s absence. The book reads like a popular children’s mystery, but Drew’s character will make this book entertaining for all readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
The topic of cyberbullying is at the center of the conflict, so the book echoes one of society’s major issues. A hacker publishes shady photos and videos about Drew and some of her classmates that are very humiliating and hurtful. The bully knows the students by name and targets all kinds of personalities. Attacking anonymously via the internet makes the culprit hard to find and gives them the freedom to be especially malicious. Drew’s life is complicated when her mother leaves town with Drew’s counselor, and an embarrassing picture is posted that makes her one of the victims.
The book’s plot involves Drew’s efforts to solve the mystery and discover the identity of the cyberbully. Drew’s named after Nancy Drew, and her hero is a famous author and criminal profiler. The book shares many techniques used in profiling, as Drew has been practicing the skills for years. She even creates a crime board with all of the evidence she’s collected which she uses to analyze suspects’ personalities, motives, and abilities to commit cybercrimes. Readers will read the same evidence as Drew and make predictions about the offender’s identity.
Friendship is an issue since Drew isn’t very good at it. She has one best friend, Shrey, but their relationship’s gotten weird since he tried to kiss her. Trissa is a new girl and seems almost too good to be true. She’s smart and kind, but she’s another one of the cyberbully’s victims. Drew’s unemotional approach is useful when solving crimes, but it’s can be disastrous when dealing with friends. Her analytical mind even starts to wonder if the bully might be someone helping her with the investigation.
What didn’t work as well:
Drew seems to suspect everyone at some point during the story, even herself! Readers may find this overkill, as books normally introduce a more manageable number of suspects to consider. Halfway through the story, Drew actually finds more suspects, not less, although this also leads to solving the crime. Her methods are systematic and scientific, so some readers may not enjoy this style quite as much. However, that’s her personality and what makes her memorable.
The Final Verdict:
While the main conflict is catching a cyberbully, the real story involves Drew’s struggles with being a friend while trying to handle her mother’s absence. The book reads like a popular children’s mystery, but Drew’s character will make this book entertaining for all readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
March 31, 2022
A terrific "true crime" volume perfect for middle school kids who want to see justice done, especially where those creepy, tricky, and very mean bullies are concerned. Drew LeClair, a seventh grader, has heartbreaking trouble at home and it spills into cyberbullying at school, and she isn't the only one. She engages her best old friend and a new one to help her try to uncover who is posting hurtful and embarrassing comments, and she has a deadline. She has been following the lead of her favorite author Lita Miyamoto, IN THE SHADOW OF A KILLER, for quite some time, so of course she begins by profiling her classmates and making a crime board...........things get messy, and fast.
Adolescents can really make other kids miserable, especially if they are hurt themselves. There is plenty to chew on in this book, and plenty to laugh at and appreciate too. Drew and her partners in crime-solving are smart and real, and very interesting. This book is well written and screaming to be the beginning of a series!
Adolescents can really make other kids miserable, especially if they are hurt themselves. There is plenty to chew on in this book, and plenty to laugh at and appreciate too. Drew and her partners in crime-solving are smart and real, and very interesting. This book is well written and screaming to be the beginning of a series!
March 16, 2022
It's been a while since I was 12, but this book really treats the inner and outer lives of its 12 year-old budding criminal profiler protagonist and her friends with love and respect. On the surface it's a fun detective story, but it skillfully weaves in some serious family troubles, bullying and other issues at school, and the twists and the challenges of friendships at an age when things are changing quickly (and not everyone is ready to look for romance at the same time).
It was a great read, with plenty of wit, charm, and little details that made all the people and their relationships seem very real and familiar. There's lots in here for kids to identify with.
In terms of the reading "difficulty level" - the book isn't challenging to read, but the personalities and themes throughout are pretty complex. Any kid this age should be able to read it easily, but not everyone will immediately pick up on some of the deeper layers. I think that gives it a pretty high re-readability score.
I really liked it.
Also, while I was reading it, I would periodically exclaim "I do declare, if it isn't Drew Leclair!" around the house. I found that to be a lot of fun; my wife...not so much.
It was a great read, with plenty of wit, charm, and little details that made all the people and their relationships seem very real and familiar. There's lots in here for kids to identify with.
In terms of the reading "difficulty level" - the book isn't challenging to read, but the personalities and themes throughout are pretty complex. Any kid this age should be able to read it easily, but not everyone will immediately pick up on some of the deeper layers. I think that gives it a pretty high re-readability score.
I really liked it.
Also, while I was reading it, I would periodically exclaim "I do declare, if it isn't Drew Leclair!" around the house. I found that to be a lot of fun; my wife...not so much.
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May 27, 2023Not sure I can write an objective review of this one - there were parts I liked a lot, and parts that were close to home in a weird way. (Middle school is rough, that's the short version.) Gonna have to think about it a little more.
April 6, 2022
This was a cute, modern nod to Nancy Drew: #1-64 and Harriet the Spy. The mystery surrounds tracking down the student behind a Gossip Girl-style instagram account that is spreading secrets and rumors about Drew and her classmates, and everyone is a suspect. The mystery was well-done, and the characters were enjoyable to be around; I think this is a great middle-grade book, especially as it touches on issues of maturity, identity, and parental relationships.
January 31, 2022
An exciting and wholesome debut!!!
I loved this book and loved Drew Leclair. From the very first page, Drew’s character drew me in, and I couldn’t put this book down thanks to the awesome side characters and thrilling mystery that must be solved. Mysteries are tough to write, but the author does it all while packing this book full of important themes and tons of fun moments.
Any fans of true crime will especially love how Drew creates little profiles of people in the book, and how she uses these to analyze her suspects. It’s an up and down journey that totally had me wanting more by the end.
Can’t wait to see what other books Katryn Bury writes after this!
I loved this book and loved Drew Leclair. From the very first page, Drew’s character drew me in, and I couldn’t put this book down thanks to the awesome side characters and thrilling mystery that must be solved. Mysteries are tough to write, but the author does it all while packing this book full of important themes and tons of fun moments.
Any fans of true crime will especially love how Drew creates little profiles of people in the book, and how she uses these to analyze her suspects. It’s an up and down journey that totally had me wanting more by the end.
Can’t wait to see what other books Katryn Bury writes after this!
December 10, 2022
This book somehow manages the nearly impossible task of feeling like a throw back to the tween/teen detective novels of my own childhood while also being perfectly current and relevant.
Drew is a kid who has so few anchors of certainty in her own life. She's been bullied for some past medical issues, is questioning her sexuality (or the possibility of asexuality), dealing with the awkwardness of her lifelong best friend wanting to be more, and also dealing with her mother running off to Hawaii with her school guidance counselor, leaving her and her dad to pick up the pieces. And then her big secret is leaked on a school-wide Instagram account run by a mysterious troll who loves sharing people's dirty laundry. That's when Drew, who is a true-crime fan and dreams of being an FBI profiler, goes to work trying to find out who this hidden figure is. She makes some new friends along the way, but also lets her obsession with the "case" put those friendships in danger, all while she tries to ignore the anger and hurt she has over her mother's departure.
Is it funny? Yes! Is it heartbreaking? Also yes! A real winner for readers who love a good mystery and want to see the kind of social landscape today's tweens face as they try to figure out who they are.
Drew is a kid who has so few anchors of certainty in her own life. She's been bullied for some past medical issues, is questioning her sexuality (or the possibility of asexuality), dealing with the awkwardness of her lifelong best friend wanting to be more, and also dealing with her mother running off to Hawaii with her school guidance counselor, leaving her and her dad to pick up the pieces. And then her big secret is leaked on a school-wide Instagram account run by a mysterious troll who loves sharing people's dirty laundry. That's when Drew, who is a true-crime fan and dreams of being an FBI profiler, goes to work trying to find out who this hidden figure is. She makes some new friends along the way, but also lets her obsession with the "case" put those friendships in danger, all while she tries to ignore the anger and hurt she has over her mother's departure.
Is it funny? Yes! Is it heartbreaking? Also yes! A real winner for readers who love a good mystery and want to see the kind of social landscape today's tweens face as they try to figure out who they are.
November 11, 2021
This book is a delightful!!! I’ve fallen head over heels for the main character Drew! From the moment I picked it up, I was drawn into the story and witty dialogue. As an elementary school teacher, I’m always on the hunt for middle grade books I can recommend for my students - and this books is IT! I can’t wait till my school library gets it - so hurry- get your hands on a copy - promise you won’t be disappointed!
January 23, 2022
READ THIS TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER SHE LOVED IT.
November 13, 2022
There's lots to love about this series debut featuring an intrepid budding detective. Drew has a bright, engaging voice to match her unique personality. Although her quirkiness gets her labeled as "weird" and attracts school bullies, it also makes her a sympathetic and relatable heroine. Her mother's abandonment and her severe (often embarrassing) asthma adds to that, making Drew someone the reader wants to root for, even as she blunders through friendship drama, investigative missteps, and so on. Plotwise, the novel is mostly about Drew's relationships, but there's enough mystery and tension to keep the story interesting. The kids at the center of DREW LECLAIR GETS A CLUE act a lot older and more emotionally mature than typical pre-teens, which felt a bit inauthentic to me. Drew is supposed to be an "old soul," but still, most 12-year-old kids don't automatically understand all the deeper reasons behind their actions. I would have liked to see a more realistic struggle for those answers, possibly with the help of a trusted therapist or her dad (a loving parent). As for the frank, confident discussions about kissing/sexuality that happen between Drew and Shrey, those also felt more mature than what would really happen between two 12 year olds, especially of opposite genders. Other than those complaints, though, I quite liked DREW LECLAIR GETS A CLUE. It's engaging, funny, and empowering. Like most MG novels, it also teaches valuable lessons. In this case, they're about standing up to bullies, learning how to be a true friend, forgiving each other after sincere apologies, and allowing ourselves to love someone but also set boundaries with people who hurt us repeatedly and without seeming to care.
May 21, 2024
This was a book for school and IT WAS SO HORRIBLY WRITTEN! ITS A "MYSTERY" but its so obvious and I feels like I was reading a book written by a 3rd grader. Like the way the author makes the main character special uh. TRUST ME I NEVER READ A MYSTERY AS BAD AS THIS ONE. DOESN'T EVEN COUNT AS A MYSTERY. I'm not usually this harsh with reviews but it all seemed fake. Like what middle schooler solves "crimes" and stalks people. Whatever, at least I can say I read another book.
September 24, 2024
The snarky first-person mg protagonist voice is the best in my book, since Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian.
March 21, 2022
I really enjoyed the mystery and how Drew tackled solving the bullying problem at her school. Plus she was such a likeable character, and I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with the family and frienship issues many middle graders can relate to.
November 2, 2022
The narrator needs a remedial class in basic Spanish pronunciation given this book takes place in Oakland, California. Her repeated gaffs were distracting.
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August 29, 2022It’s not my place to say whether this book is problematic or not on the basis of the issue I’m about to raise (as I am white), but I do want to raise it to warn Black readers specifically and other readers of colour. If doing so means I am stepping out of my lane I will 100% take this review down.
To me, it felt like the white MC and the white author were really only providing surface-level “allyship.” There was like one conversation inserted about race and crime in reference to students of colour being disproportionately represented in suspension rates, almost to be like “Drew’s an ally!” but then there was no deeper discussion about race factoring into criminal profiling (which Drew is obsessed with and so it is a major theme in the book); no moment where Drew questioned her own internal biases as a white person when she was profiling students of colour. Trissa, a Black side character, even tells Drew that she has been profiled by teachers at school, and Drew STILL profiles her and is so easily forgiven by Trissa when Drew doesn’t actually address the racist aspect of her actions in her apology.
Another instance is that the character Nancy Drew is lauded in this book, especially by Drew and Trissa. As an author including this in your book, you have to have done some research about Nancy Drew, and you HAVE to have come across the racist legacy of that character. I haven’t even read Nancy Drew and I’m aware of this. Yet, this history is never addressed in the book? She’s just presented as this great, can-do-no-wrong idol.
As a white author, I’m certainly not saying it’s Bury’s place to add anything NEW to these conversations, but I don’t think it’s okay to incorporate them in order to show your MC’s “ally” position on them, then not actually have this position reflected in any of their behaviour throughout the book.
Another instance of shallow allyship, but this time relating to genderqueer people, was how the author made a point of saying the bathroom Drew was going into was gender neutral… yet twice in the book there was that good old “he…OR SHE” line thrown in.
Finally, I was really uncomfortable with the amount of times goodness was associated with intelligence, and badness was associated with unintelligence.
To me, it felt like the white MC and the white author were really only providing surface-level “allyship.” There was like one conversation inserted about race and crime in reference to students of colour being disproportionately represented in suspension rates, almost to be like “Drew’s an ally!” but then there was no deeper discussion about race factoring into criminal profiling (which Drew is obsessed with and so it is a major theme in the book); no moment where Drew questioned her own internal biases as a white person when she was profiling students of colour. Trissa, a Black side character, even tells Drew that she has been profiled by teachers at school, and Drew STILL profiles her and is so easily forgiven by Trissa when Drew doesn’t actually address the racist aspect of her actions in her apology.
Another instance is that the character Nancy Drew is lauded in this book, especially by Drew and Trissa. As an author including this in your book, you have to have done some research about Nancy Drew, and you HAVE to have come across the racist legacy of that character. I haven’t even read Nancy Drew and I’m aware of this. Yet, this history is never addressed in the book? She’s just presented as this great, can-do-no-wrong idol.
As a white author, I’m certainly not saying it’s Bury’s place to add anything NEW to these conversations, but I don’t think it’s okay to incorporate them in order to show your MC’s “ally” position on them, then not actually have this position reflected in any of their behaviour throughout the book.
Another instance of shallow allyship, but this time relating to genderqueer people, was how the author made a point of saying the bathroom Drew was going into was gender neutral… yet twice in the book there was that good old “he…OR SHE” line thrown in.
Finally, I was really uncomfortable with the amount of times goodness was associated with intelligence, and badness was associated with unintelligence.
December 27, 2021
Drew Leclair Gets a Clue
by Katryn Bury
Pub Date 01 Mar 2022
Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books), Clarion Books
Children's Fiction
I am reviewing a copy of Drew Leclair Gets a Clue through Clarion Books and Netgalley:
Drew Leclair understands what you need to be a good detective. She’s pored over the cases solved by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto. She tracked down the graffiti artist at school, and even solved the mystery of her neighbor’s missing rabbit. But when her mother runs off to Hawaii with the school guidance counselor, Drew is shocked. How did she miss all of the clues?
Drew does her best to keep her family life a secret, even from her best friend. But when a cyber bully attacks others at the school its only a short time before Drew’s secret is out.
With notebooks full of observations about her classmates, Drew knows what she has to do: profile all of the bullies in her grade to find the culprit. But being a detective is more complicated when the suspects can be your friends. Will Drew crack the case if it means losing the people she cares about most?
Drew Leclair gets a clue is a modern day take on Harriet the Spy and I give Drew Leclair gets a clue four out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
by Katryn Bury
Pub Date 01 Mar 2022
Clarion Books (formerly HMH Children's Books), Clarion Books
Children's Fiction
I am reviewing a copy of Drew Leclair Gets a Clue through Clarion Books and Netgalley:
Drew Leclair understands what you need to be a good detective. She’s pored over the cases solved by her hero, criminal profiler Lita Miyamoto. She tracked down the graffiti artist at school, and even solved the mystery of her neighbor’s missing rabbit. But when her mother runs off to Hawaii with the school guidance counselor, Drew is shocked. How did she miss all of the clues?
Drew does her best to keep her family life a secret, even from her best friend. But when a cyber bully attacks others at the school its only a short time before Drew’s secret is out.
With notebooks full of observations about her classmates, Drew knows what she has to do: profile all of the bullies in her grade to find the culprit. But being a detective is more complicated when the suspects can be your friends. Will Drew crack the case if it means losing the people she cares about most?
Drew Leclair gets a clue is a modern day take on Harriet the Spy and I give Drew Leclair gets a clue four out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
March 5, 2022
Drew Leclair is a fully three dimensional narrator with quirks and foibles and a fantastically weird and delightful sense of humor. The author’s attention to detail and clear love of pop culture (there is mention of “approximately one billion Pikachu truffles”) make this book a joy to read for adults as well as kids and the story’s themes made me eager to continue the journey with these characters. Can’t wait for a sequel!
June 22, 2022
This was such a great middle grade mystery book. I love how it reminded me of Nancy Drew books that I used to read when I was younger! Such a fun book and the mystery was really intriguing. Love how this book also focused on family and friendships. This is a middle grade that I believe everyone can enjoy no matter how old you are.
January 26, 2023
A belated review, but I LOVED this book. Drew’s voice was funny & relatable, unique & quirky. Within the pages of this mystery there was also fresh & fantastic representation, perfect & poignant for a younger audience, but equally enjoyable to readers of all ages.
Definitely looking forward to the continuation of this series, as well as any future works from this author.
Definitely looking forward to the continuation of this series, as well as any future works from this author.
June 8, 2022
this was so fun! as someone who grew up LOVING murder mysteries and just mysteries in general, but none of my friends feeling the same or understanding why i loved them so much, the child in me felt very seen by drew! i loved how she was not only named after nancy drew, but actually loved the books and the character as well. she also watches the nancy drew tv series so every reference to the show made me so happy.
this book handled many important topics in such a great and accessible way. there was a lot of discussion on fatphobia and what it's like to grow up and be "the fat kid" and be bullied as well as growing comfortable in your body. every time she saw a kid get bullied for being fat or thought back to when she was bullied about her weight, drew was very quick to mention something about being fat is not a dirty word, it is not bad, and she talks about how she's still "what is considered chubby" and that she's okay with it. i know that i would've loved reading a book about a fat/chubby main character who felt positively about her body as a kid, hell i love reading about it now because i still need that validation. i thought that was so important.
there's also a lot of discussion on bullying and the harms of bullying both in-person and online. there's discussions on how white the education system is and how many schools don't have students reading books about people of color or books written by people of color. drew also talks about how even though she has friends who are people of color and can hear and sympathize with the struggles that they face, she knows that she will never fully understand because she won't have the same experiences as them.
there's discussion of divorce and how that affects a child, as well as absentee parenting and how our parent's past trauma can be reflected back onto us. there's also the fact that drew realizes that she is probably bisexual but she doesn't feel the need to decide yet because she's in 7th grade and she still thinks that actually kissing another human is gross.
i think that this is a great book not just for middle grade readers, but readers in general. i would've loved a book like this as a kid and i'm really glad that kids growing up now have it
this book handled many important topics in such a great and accessible way. there was a lot of discussion on fatphobia and what it's like to grow up and be "the fat kid" and be bullied as well as growing comfortable in your body. every time she saw a kid get bullied for being fat or thought back to when she was bullied about her weight, drew was very quick to mention something about being fat is not a dirty word, it is not bad, and she talks about how she's still "what is considered chubby" and that she's okay with it. i know that i would've loved reading a book about a fat/chubby main character who felt positively about her body as a kid, hell i love reading about it now because i still need that validation. i thought that was so important.
there's also a lot of discussion on bullying and the harms of bullying both in-person and online. there's discussions on how white the education system is and how many schools don't have students reading books about people of color or books written by people of color. drew also talks about how even though she has friends who are people of color and can hear and sympathize with the struggles that they face, she knows that she will never fully understand because she won't have the same experiences as them.
there's discussion of divorce and how that affects a child, as well as absentee parenting and how our parent's past trauma can be reflected back onto us. there's also the fact that drew realizes that she is probably bisexual but she doesn't feel the need to decide yet because she's in 7th grade and she still thinks that actually kissing another human is gross.
i think that this is a great book not just for middle grade readers, but readers in general. i would've loved a book like this as a kid and i'm really glad that kids growing up now have it
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