Pearl Knows

The Oakhaven Spirit week Mystery

What if your dog could smell loneliness?

When the beloved Spirit Week welcome banner is found in shreds on the gymnasium floor, the teachers call it a prank. But Pearl,  the family's fluffy, sassy, very schedule-conscious labradoodle,  knows better. She stops at the trophy case and lets out a long, low whine. Only five-year-old Aiden can translate: "She smells Deep Blue Sadness... and Burnt Toast Lies."

The Scent Detectives are on the case.

Eleven-year-old Kallan opens his notebook. Ten-year-old Raina scans the hallway with her eagle eyes. Eight-year-old Leelan activates his walkie-talkie. Seven-year-old Adelyn spots a suspicious smear of turquoise paint near the water fountain. And Aiden stays right by Pearl's side, translating every huff, sneeze, and tail wag into human words.

Together, this team of cousins follows Pearl's glowing scent trail through the school,  past the nervous track star, past the kind art teacher, and all the way to the emptiest table in the cafeteria. What they find there isn't a criminal. It's a new student named Sofia, who just wanted to feel like she belonged.

INTERACTIVE READER PUZZLE: The full-color Scent Map on pages 17–18 invites readers to match Pearl's scents to the suspects and help solve the mystery alongside the team!

Perfect for readers ages 6–10. A classroom favorite for discussions about empathy, inclusion, friendship, and the courage it takes to see someone who feels invisible.

No one in Oakhaven has to feel lonely for long,  not when Pearl is on the case.

paperback: 8.5x8.5 inch $12

eBook: Digital download $4