Noah Z. Jones, creator of the Disney animated series Fish Hooks, unveils a funny and irreverent chapter-book series for young fans of quirky mysteries.When something strange happens at Nosedive Junior High, most people know there’s one place to go for help: the janitor’s closet. That’s where Piper Corduroy—a very serious sixth-grader with an uncanny knack for solving mysteries and explaining the unexplainable—runs the Broom Room Detective Agency. But it turns out that Nosedive has too many secrets for just one detective to handle. Piper needs help. Fred Sassafras—an enthusiastic mystery fanatic—applies for the job, but Piper is not sure if he is the right fit. When school prankster Belly Buttons comes to the office seeking their help because someone has been stuffing his pockets with muffins, Piper decides that it is the perfect opportunity to see whether Fred really has what it takes. Turns out, mysteries at Nosedive aren’t always what they seem . . . Expressive illustrations add to the charm of this clever mystery series that will appeal to reluctant readers and kids ready to move on from series like
The Bad Guys and
Dog Man.
On sale: January 5, 2027
Age: 7-9 years
Grade: Grades 2-4
Page count: 112 Pages
ISBN: 9780763636739
Noah Z. Jones is the illustrator of
Not Norman by Kelly Bennett as well as
Those Shoes and
A Bike Like Sergio’s,
both by Maribeth Boelts. The creator and lead animator of the Disney animated series
Fish Hooks and
Pickle and Peanut, Noah Z. Jones lives in Southern California.
Readers will be kept guessing with a well-paced mystery and a solution that is genuinely surprising. Piper’s confidence and deductive reasoning evoke comparisons to the legendary Encyclopedia Brown, making her an appealing heroine for a new generation of young mystery readers. The grayscale illustrations add personality and energy to the story, with a visual style reminiscent of popular animated television shows. . . . Librarians seeking a new and engaging series will want to add this title to their collections.
—School Library Journal
Jones’ illustrations of round-eyed, wide-mouthed middle schoolers reacting to each other with excitement and suspicion further amplify the story’s kooky tone. . . . This playful silly series starter capably captures the witty, endearing rapport of classic detective fare.
—Kirkus Reviews
