Fun mystery set in Singapore, with a smarty kid and his sidekick robot and a whole crew of interesting family members. Some of the family connections are confusing (I think maybe all older ladies are called Auntie? And apparently any child of the family would call an older lady Mama, even is she is grandmama not mom?) but I liked that about the book -- the food focus and the cultural heritage is part of what make it interesting. ( )

Samuel Tan Cher Lock, a young Singaporean boy who takes the name of his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes, as a nickname, sets out to solve his first mystery in this novel for beginning chapter-book readers. When Auntie Kim Lian, the mother of his schoolmate Jimmy, discovers her treasured collection of traditional family recipes has gone missing, Sherlock Sam kicks into overdrive, determined to track down the lost volume and restore it to its rightful owner. Together with friends, family (including older sister Wendy) and Watson - the robot Sherlock himself created - the young sleuth triumphs in the end, revealing the thief and setting everything to rights...

The first volume of a twelve-book (and counting) mystery series originally published in Singapore, Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom of Katong was published for the American market by the Kansas City-based Andrews McMeel Publishing, and is the first Singaporean children's book I have read. I was fascinated by the cultural details here, from the traditional dishes mentioned throughout to the various Singaporean locations discussed, as they were all hitherto unfamiliar to me. I appreciated the fact that a glossary of terms was included at the rear, as it was quite helpful to consult it, from time to time. The author name, "A.J. Low," is actually a pseudonym for husband-and-wife team Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez. Recommended to young mystery lovers who are just getting going with chapter-books, as well as to anyone looking for children's books from and/or set in Singapore. ( )

Personal response - A wonderful detective series based in Singapore. I couldn't put the book down until I finished. Humorous, engaging, and delightfully Singapore.

Curricular connection - read aloud, reading groups, units on Singapore

I won this from Goodreads for my kids. The book is best for 3rd grade readers, but my 10 and 13 yr old kids read it and this is what they thought. The book is really funny and the mystery is good since they didn't figure out the ending. They both liked the main character and the humor. The book is set in Singapore, so that's interesting as well. ( )

Good candidate for our Red Dot Book Awards - younger readers category. Not only is it set in Singapore, but it features a public library (one many of my students probably go to -- at Marine Parade). Also thinking that the Grade 3s do a unit on mysteries which this would be good for. Sequels as well. Like how there's a glossary at the back. ( )