The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm)

by Michael Buckley
Amulet Books, 2005

When 11-year-old Sabrina and her 7-year-old sister are deposited with Mrs. Grimm, Sabrina is understandably suspicious. Their father, who disappeared along with their mother 18 months ago, had always told the girls that they had no living relatives, yet here is this woman pretending to be their grandmother!

Well, no matter. It won't be the first time the girls have run away from a foster home. But when the girls' attempt fails, it isn't long before they find themselves in very odd circumstances. Is it possible that pixies really exist? Are storybook creatures secretly living in Ferryport Landing? Are the sisters really descendants of the famous fairytale scribes?

When Mrs. Grimm and her faithful companion, Mr. Canis, are snatched by a giant, Sabrina and Daphne spring into action. They must save their friends from imminent destruction. But can they trust trickster king Puck and Jack the Giant killer to help them? And what is Mayor Charming's role in the abduction?

First in a series, this extremely well-written book captured the interest of my entire family, from youngest (11 y.o.) to oldest (## y.o.). My son, deprived of x-box, computer, and tv from Monday to Thursday, devoured 50 pages a day and we all look forward to reading the remaining titles.

It's worth noting that, though these are the author's first children's books, he has previously written for television. No wonder his images and scenes are so riveting and you can easily imagine this story playing out on the big screen.