I was provided with a complimentary copy of The Wig in The Window. Though not obligated to review it and share my thoughts, I loved the book so much that I definitely wanted to! The opinions in this post are 100% mine. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
I LOVE to read. I mean, sometimes I think I have a problem. It’s not uncommon for me to read an entire book in the course of a day. I have to stop myself so I can get something done other than finish another book! Reading is so much fun to me and I’ve been reading to my kids since they were in my belly. Fortunately I’ve passed on my love of books to them, too. Yay! That’s a big time win. They love to read and love to be read to and I’m always on the lookout for a great new kids’ book to share with them.
So when The Wig In The Window came my way I was excited! I read the synopsis and decided I’d read it myself before I share it with my 7 year-old daughter just to see if it was a good fit for a reader her age.
So what’s The Wig in the Window about?
THE WIG IN THE WINDOW (June 18, Harper Children’s) is the first in a funny new mystery series for kids ages 8 – 12 that will appeal to precocious readers who enjoy humor, clever clues, and fun plot twists!
Best friends and seventh graders Sophie Young and Grace Yang have made a game out of spying on their neighbors. On one of their midnight stakeouts, they witness a terrifying, bloody scene at the home of their bizarre middle-school counselor Dr. Charlotte Agford (also known as Dr. Awkward).
At least, they think they do. The truth is that Dr. Agford was only making her famous pickled beets! But when Dr. Agford begins acting even weirder than usual, Sophie and Grace become convinced that she’s hiding something—and they’re determined to find out what it is.
Soon the girls are breaking secret codes, being followed by a strange blue car, and tailing strangers with unibrows and Texas accents. But as their investigation heats up, Sophie and Grace start to crack under the pressure. But even if they solve the case, will their unlikely friendship survive?
Unbelievably, this is author Kristen Kittscher’s debut novel. The writing is so fantastic that you’d think she’s been writing books for years. Kristen, a Brown University graduate is a former middle school teacher. Can you guess where she got her inspiration for these witty characters?
Check out this The Wig in the Window Trailer:
I watched that trailer before I read the book and though I thought it made the book more interesting, after I got started reading I realized it didn’t do it justice. It’s like that the-movie-is-never-as-good-as-the-book thing. The book is WAAAAAAY better!
So what did I think? I loved it!
Yes, I realize this book was written for the tween group but I was hooked from the first page. The characters, Young and Yang, and even all the supporting characters are so well-developed and just REAL. These girls had definitely personalities that were pretty different at times, but they also worked great together.
The book made me laugh out loud more than once. I will admit I had a few nicknames for my teachers in 7th grade. Oh boy, did I ever. I could totally remember feeling just the way Sophie and Grace did in the book with my best friend back in the day. Good times. The dialogue was great, too. This is one thing I always feel makes me really connect with a book: good dialogue. Have you ever read a book and thought, ‘no one would ever say that.’ Ugh. I hate that. That was NOT the case with The Wig in the Window. These girls talked just like a real tween would talk and it had me cracking up.
There are some great life lessons in here. Not judging a book by its cover, forgiveness, surviving the ups and downs of friendship. These are themes that resonate with young kids. Heck, they resonate with me.
The best part: The Wig in the Window had me guessing until the end. This is a spoiler-free review so my lips are sealed, but I will tell you that Kristen Kittscher is one heck of a writer. She had me fooled, more than once, and the ending was a surprise up until I was reading it happen. It’s not often I can say that!
Want to see something funny? Check this out!
Now those girls are a trip. I’m so excited that this is just the first in a series of mystery books. I definitely want to collect them all, for me and my kids!
Did I read it to my daughter?
No, not yet. Lily is only 7 (almost 8…slow down, girl!) and while I think she’d enjoy the mystery and the plot, there’s a lot of really hilarious more mature humor that I’m afraid would go over her head at this point. And by ‘mature’ I mean older-kid mature, not mature adult material. There’s nothing inappropriate in the book. I’d love for her to read it when she’d get as much out of it as I did. I am thinking by age 9 it will be about perfect. And really I think it’s a great read for anyone older than that, too. I loved it myself.
You can read more about The Wig in the Window and author Kristen Kittscher on her website. Follow along on Twitter and Facebook, too! I’m going to be keeping my eyes peeled for the next book in this series! I want to see what these girls get into next. 😉
If you’ve got a kid, girl or boy – either will love it – that’s pushing their way into the tween or middle school years, you have to check out The Wig in the Window. They’ll love it! Be sure to sneak it away from them when they’re done. You’re going to love it, too!
Happy reading!
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