I really enjoy Sherlock Holmes books anyways but this one was extra special because it was actually about the baker street irregulars and how they help Holmes. This group of boys essentially does the dirty work in the story and helps Sherlock find the pieces to the story. I enjoyed every bit of this book. I think it written for ages 9-12 but I as a 23 year old loved it!

It is so wonderful to read about these street children and how Holmes utilizes them for his cases. This book was a great read even for adults. The authors used the novel to introduce readers to the Victorian era and all the means they traveled and communicated. They provided detailed information at the end of the novel about street slang, deduction and list of characters.

I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and have read all of the short stories and novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so I know a thing or two about Holmes and his version of Victorian England. The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas does a good job of evoking Sir Arthur's style and of staying true to his vision of that time and place. The Macks make Holmes and Watson ring true, but they are not the stars of this story. For the first time, the Baker Street Irregulars, who appear in many Holmes mysteries and whom are vaguely outlined by Dr. Watson, are brought to the forefront. The only Irregular who is given a name in the works by Doyle is Wiggins as Holmes addresses him by name now and again. In this story,we meet the entire gang and get to know a few of them quite well. Wiggins is, of course, featured as he is the leader, but the story focuses more on a new member and on his growing friendship with someone he meets at the circus.

The story is fast paced and easy to read. It even has a glossary of terms and street slang in the back and a foreword and afterword that add to the educational value of the book. This isn't surprising since it is published by a division of National Scholastic. However, it isn't aimed at such a young reading group that it isn't worthwhile for an adult Sherlockian like myself. The book is even handsomely bound in hardcover that amazingly has a scene from the story printed on the actual cover itself as well as on the dust jacket. Something almost unheard of these days. It looks quite smart on my shelf next to my bound volumes of Sir Arthur's works. Something I can't really say for most of the Scholastic books I've read or seen.

Children who can read confidently on their own and even adult bookworms like me who are fans of mysteries and especially of Sir Arthur's unique vision of the Victorian era need to read this book.

this was a pretty good book. The characters are likable and the plot is creative and convoluted enough to have been thought of by Doyle himself. Though it really isn't a Sherlock Holmes Mystery. It really should have been called the, "Baker Street Irregulars with some help from that nice adult who conveniently brings the police." But then when your writing for kids the kids really do need to be at the center of the story.

Children will like even if Sherlockians don't and the kids should have fun trying to find the secret message hidden in the book.

A wonderful introduction to great the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his crew of underground boy detectives (the Baker Street Irregulars). A lot of background information helps the reader to deepen their understanding of 19th century London, slang, and spy technicalities. A well paced book will surely inspire many spy fanatics. The language and writing is a good introduction for elementary. Easy enough for 3rd graders and engaging for older readers. Good for OBOB.

My rating: 5 out of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved Mack's take on Sherlock Holmes and thought that it was pretty true to the stories (from what I gather of them, at least). It was fascinating to watch the Baker Street Irregulars as they tried to help the detective, attempting to analyze the environment the way he does.

The Victorian elements of the story are present but I don't feel that they bog the plot down in any way. There are magnificent black and white illustrations in every chaper, so I think reluctant readers could really get into this detective story. The back cover includes pictures of each of the Baker Street Irregulars, which helped me keep them straight.

Summary:
"You are to conduct a surveillance of a circus. You must use your eyes, but also your ears. . . Last night at approximately eight thirty P.M. the world-renowned tightrope team, the Amazing Zalindas, fell to their deaths while performing in the main tent of the Grand Barboza Circus(45)."

These are the words Mr. Sherlock Holmes says to Wiggins, Ozzie and Alfie - the group of homeless boys who make up the consulting detective's eyes and ears of the city.

Characters:
Wiggins
Ozzie
Elliot
Rohan
Pilar
Alfie
Sherlock Holmes
John Watson
James Moriarty

Key issues/phrases: murder, crime, detective stories, mystery, action & adventure, friendship

Also from Tracy Mack and Michael Citrin:
In Search of Watson

I enjoyed it, and if any are a Holmes fan, so will they. It was a clean read, fast moving, and new characters introduced, which we may see in any up coming books.

The story about this particular Sherlock Holmes investigation case was savory and adequate, with twists and an unbelievable ending, this book was surely one of my favourite crime mysteries. The final twist about the Stewart Chronicle took my breath away, I was so transfixed with the circus and the Zalindas' case that I didn't even see twist coming.
Final remarks: Great book, I highly suggest this to young people who like to read crime or mystery books.

Everyone has heard of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective. But not many people know about The Baker Street Irregulars. They are the group of ragtag orphans who live on the streets of London and are often employed by Holmes as his eyes and ears of the city. When the famous trapeze artists, the Amazing Zalindas, fall to their deaths Holmes is called in to investigate. At the same time, he is also investigating a theft from the Royal Palace. Somehow the two crimes are tied together. With the help of the Irregulars, Holmes starts to put the pieces together. But will he be able to solve the puzzle before one of the Irregulars loses his life?
I really enjoyed this book, the first in a promising new Holmes series for children. The boys who make up the Irregulars are smart, witty and loyal. The Irregulars, while being a small reference in the Holmes series, are brought to life in this book. This is a great way to get children introduced to the great detective and try a little bit of detecting themselves.

La muerte de los 3 hermanos Zalinda durante su espectáculo de funambulismo capta el interés de Sherlock Holmes quién decide investigar si se trata de un mero accidente o es resultado de un inteligente y planeado plan. En este caso no estará solo ya que cuenta con la ayuda de un grupo de chicos de las calles que trabajan para él y que son sus ojos en Londres. Mientras los chicos investigan el caso del circo, el afamado detective recibe un encargo mayor procedente de la realeza de Inglaterra ya que ha desaparecido la Crónica de los Estuardo y como sospecha Sherlock quizás ambos casos están relacionados y han sido causados por una de las mentes más inteligentes contra las que se ha enfrentado.
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El libro aunque está dirigido a un público más joven me ha gustado ya que acerca a los lectores la figura de Sherlock Holmes. Lo que más me ha gustado es la ambientación de la historia ya que te hace sentir en la Inglaterra victoriana y que todo se desarrolle en el mundo circense. También me ha gustado que entre las páginas se escondían pistas que te iban dando indicios sobre el verdadero responsable de los crímenes. Los personajes aunque bastantes simples están bastante bien elaborados y quizás lo que más me ha gustado es que se expresen con el argot típico de los chicos de la calle.

3.5 stars
It was interesting to see a case from the POV of the Baker Street Irregulars. I particularly enjoyed the character of Ozzie. Not being a Sherlock fan, I don't know how this fits in with Conan's original series. A promising start to the series that wrapped up the case while still leaving enough unanswered questions to keep readers interested in the next installment.

This book is one of my favorites. It gets right into the mystery from the very beginning. You wont be able to put it down. It is an adventure worth reading. The book is not to long but there is some thickness to it. I can relate to sherlock because he discovers things which help shape who he is. The mystery is exciting, but I would only recommend this book to young readers wanting to read a good mystery. The book is easy to comprehend and is obvious. Although its easy to figure out, it was still a good book. i enjoyed reading it. The book uses al types of irony. This helps create suspense in the middle of the plot and keep readers into it.