Awesome Book for 9-12 Year Old Boys (or those on that reading level)

With a plethora of dumbed-down/junky books available for boys in the 9-12 year old reading level, No Place Like Holmes  by Jason Lethcoe is a refreshing breath of fresh air.

I really enjoyed reading this book out loud to all of my kids as part of our homeschool day.  It is straightforward and wholesome, yet has enough mystery and anticipation to keep everyone hooked--even my 7th and 10th grader wanted to know what happened.

The story is NOT a twist on the old Sherlock Holmes tales.  Instead, it is a story of young boy named Griffin who's bumbling detective uncle lives in the apartment next to the famous detective.

When Griffin is sent to stay with his uncle whom he has never met and sees the address 221 Baker Street, he is excited to think that Sherlock Holmes is his uncle.  He is in for a bit of disappointment when he finds out his uncle lives in apartment a of the same address (Holmes address is apartment b).

Soon, Griffin has stumbled upon a woman in search of Sherlock Holmes, but when he brings her to the detective, Holmes has no interest in her case.  So Griffin brings the woman to his uncle and they try to find out what really happened to the lady's husband--because no one really believes he was eaten by the loch-ness monster like the witnesses claim.

Throughout the story, Griffin learns that being famous does not make you a great man (Holmes is portrayed as less than nice) and that God can use young boys to show grown men what it means to have strong faith.

I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this series...um, I mean reading it to my kids (wink-wink).

I received this book from the publisher as part of the blogging for books program.  All opinions rendered are my own.