I loved this book so much. It was a lovely sequel to the first book in this series. I loved the way this story really focused on Holmes and Watson friendship. I loved both the case and the characters that came into the story. It def was a step up in from book one. I loved the adorable illustrations and also who the "villian" was in this story. I also really enjoyed the how the mystery was developed and how it really effected the main characters. It was such a fun read and grew to love John even more! ( )

I loved this book so much. It was a lovely sequel to the first book in this series. I loved the way this story really focused on Holmes and Watson friendship. I loved both the case and the characters that came into the story. It def was a step up in from book one. I loved the adorable illustrations and also who the "villian" was in this story. I also really enjoyed the how the mystery was developed and how it really effected the main characters. It was such a fun read and grew to love John even more! ( )

I really want to like these books more, but I can't get over the fact that they're set in Harlem and the majority of the characters are Black, except for Shelby, the savior of the stories. Why couldn't Shelby also be Black? And the books don't directly address how much more at risk of harm John is than Shelby in all the scenarios Shelby forces them into, because he's a Black boy and she's a white girl.

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

My review for the CBCA:

This second instalment in the Shelby Holmes series by bestselling author Elizabeth Eulberg is a fun middle grade read with lots of heart and a feminist twist. The story tracks the adventures of case-solving sleuth Shelby Holmes and her sidekick John Watson. At the New York School of Arts, nine-year old Shelby is so eccentric and rude that she is shunned by the other students. Shelby, like her namesake, has a complete disregard for the pleasantries that usually accompany polite social interaction – whether with adults or kids. Luckily, she has a best friend in her neighbour, the new kid at school, eleven-year-old John Watson. John sticks by her side and helps her with the social aspects of life.

Her deductive skills rub off on him and soon they are solving a case involving the new science teacher. Holmes’ deductive smarts are offset by her snark and superciliousness. John has his work cut out for him keeping up with her genius, as well as her inflated ego. The story is told from John’s point of view who manages to thread in plenty of sassy remarks on the outrageous behaviour of his friend.

The Great Shelby Meets Her Match is a story about observing and noticing and never giving up, perfect for budding kid detectives. Black and white illustrations by Matt Robertson complement the text.

( )

I’m admittedly a big fan of Holmes from his incarnation under the adept hands of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to the various iterations that have dotted across literary and media history throughout the years.

This variant is one of the cuter ones and definitely perfect for the younger generation coming up in a world that is daring to go beyond the long held beliefs on gender.

Eulberg, in her second book of this series, turned Holmes into a girl who is so smart (obviously) she’s been moved up a couple of grades in school where she meets a new sidekick and seemingly only friend – Watson. Like his predecessor Dr. John this young child is responsible for narrating the life of Holmes so we can be clued in to how she operates in the world. In this story we even get to meet the infamous Moriarty in the form of yet another gender different character.

The fun and ingenious ways she uses deductive reasoning is on full display complete with the detached, almost borderline rudeness, of the classic Holmes personality.

Unlike Elementary, Sherlock or other current iterations of the original Holmes character this one is much more appropriate for the younger audience when it comes to level of mystery, character interaction, and dialogue.

My only complaint is that unlike all the other books, tv shows or movies I’ve read/watched this version of the Holmes’ personality came off on the irritating side.

As egotistical as the character of Holmes could be there was always something endearing that made you feel impressed by his abilities and wishing he was real because maybe our crime rate would decrease, lol.

Shelby just comes off egotistical without the endearing quality as if she has this constant need to show off her intellect and prove she’s superior to everyone around her. I don’t think it has anything to do with her being a kid because recently I read The Baker Street Peculiars, The Baker Street Four and Artie Conan Doyle Mysteries which all use kids as their focus. Plus I grew up with Encyclopedia Brown.

My issue with her character is more than likely not going to be shared by children who have had as much exposure to Holmes variations the way I have so I wouldn’t let my opinion on that sway you away from this book. It’s so hard to find decent material for kids of this age range you should definitely give yours a chance with this.

If you haven’t read the first I wouldn’t be too worried about it because it fits very well as a standalone. ( )