Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond

Gr 2–4—Perfect for young graphic novel fans and mystery aficionados alike, this first installment in the series is sure to grab readers' attention from the first action-packed pages. Characters from Arthur Conan Doyle's famous stories appear as students at Baker Street Academy, a primary school in contemporary London. Brand-new to the school after traveling the Continent with his Army-doctor parents, John Watson quickly befriends cheerful Martha Hudson and brilliant Sherlock Holmes. He documents their friendship (including their "near residence" at Martha's home, 221B Baker Street) in his journals. When the students take a field trip to an art museum, they end up witnesses to a jewel heist—and, of course, only Sherlock Holmes can deduce the thief's identity. The story is told through a mixture of John's journal entries and comic panels, local news clippings, and blog posts. While the text includes some high-level vocabulary, particularly in Sherlock's dialogue, Hearn's illustrations and other visual aids make the story accessible. Teachers and other adults familiar with Doyle's work will find plenty of clever references to enjoy.