The Branches series have proved to be one of the most popular new series at my library in years. Not all of them have clicked with my readers (and a few I didn't purchase) but enough that they have their own section and plenty of fans!

I'm always excited to see and review a new addition to the series and I was very interested in this one. On the one hand, there are a lot of beginning chapter mysteries. On the other hand, Branches is pretty good at adding something new to their series. This one turned out to be no exception.

Hilde Lysiak is a real-life kid reporter who runs her own newspaper. The stories in this new series are inspired by her real experiences, although they're fictionalized. The first installment introduces us to Hilde and her nose for news. She's sniffed out a mystery - and a story - in the recent spate of mysterious break-ins. But only baked goods are being stolen or destroyed!

With the help of her family and friends and her own mystery-solving skills, Hilde interviews, investigates, and finally discovers the real culprits! The story includes tips on writing, interviewing, and sleuthing as well as vocabulary and a note about Hilde herself.

The finished and earlier sketches in the arc look attractive and fun. The final art will be black and white. This is one of the higher-level Branches titles, similar to Notebook of Doom and Dragon Masters. Readers will be eager to try a new mystery series with the additional nonfiction facts and interactive suggestions.

Verdict: If you don't already have Branches series, you need to get some right away! The most popular for us have been Notebook of Doom, Dragon Masters, Owl Diaries, and Boris. I think this one will definitely be added to the list of "must-haves" and I'm looking forward to using it in a book club when there are enough copies available.

ISBN: 9781338141566; Published September 2017 by Scholastic; ARC provided by publisher at ALA; Purchased for the library