Squishy is curious and energetic, keeping a close eye on what is happening around her as she looks for mysteries to solve. When strange things start happening in the apartment of her grumpy neighbour, Squishy knows something isn’t quite right. It doesn’t take long before she is convinced her neighbour is connected with diamond smugglers. How is he involved? Well, Squishy will just have to investigate to find out.
Squishy draws her sisters into her investigation and together they think they have solved the mystery of the missing diamonds. Now they just need to find an adult who will believe them. Can they uncover the diamond smugglers before time runs out?
Squishy is a great new character for confident readers who enjoy stories with mysteries to solve. She is inquisitive, generous, confident, and adventurous, as well as simply being lots of fun.
The Squishy Taylor series also ticks lots of boxes for those looking for books that reflect the diversity of people in our community. Squishy is part of a blended family, living with her father and step-mother as well as her twin step-sisters, who she refers to as ‘bonus sisters’, and a baby brother. She communicates via Skype throughout the story with her mother who lives in Geneva where she works for the UN. Illustrations portray Squishy with black curly hair and dark skin and her step family is Asian in appearance. Squishy is one of several female characters in the story who demonstrate confidence and independence.
I enjoyed reading Squishy Taylor and a Question of Trust and I’m looking forward to reading further books in this series as they are available. This is the second book in the series, following on from Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters, with further books scheduled for publication in the coming months. There are teachers’ notes available for this book.
Author: Ailsa Wild
Illustrator: Ben Wood
Publisher: Hardie Grant, $12.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 February 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760126766
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction