This is an exceptional book that also includes the criticism that the old woman faces because she believes so firmly that people must find the secret on their own. Illustrations by Linda Graves add to the story and its characters. Two eighth-graders have set out to discover why this particular robin died. After much investigation, they find the cause in a story that is believable, interesting and informative. Although its neighborly, small town environment would not be familiar to all readers, this scientific detective story remains fresh even after thirty years.
Readers can discover more than the text actually tells.
The entire book pretends to be the notebook of the famous detective, Seymour Sleuth, with his notes, pasted-in clues and scraps of information. The text and illustrations would be of interest to many primary children, but older elementary students can raise interesting questions from careful study of the book.