Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol

Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol

by Krieg, Jim

(2010). New York: Razorbill.

ISBN 978-1595142764

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Summary: Griff Carver is a hard-nosed veteran on the force who "talks the talk and walks the walk". He's also the new guy with a chief who thinks he's a loose cannon and a rookie partner he does not like. Sounds like the typical cop story except when you learn Griff Carver is on 7th grade hallway patrol. Griff and his partner uncover a phony hallway pass ring led by the seemingly perfect class presidential candidate, Marcus Volger. Together they stop at nothing to take down the case while trying not to take the whole school down with it.

Review: Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol takes a comical look at police procedures as seen through the eyes of a 7th grader. Tweens should enjoy comparing similar themes from many popular cop buddy films including a hilarious showdown between the two partners. Tough as nails Griff is sure to be a favorite character in a book filled with many. Krieg, the author, does a great job of plot development which puts the reader right in the thick of the hallway action. This book was chosen initially because it was an Edgar nominee and also because it had many positive reviews, including those from the School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. I think it will be a core title for its ingenious twist on the detective story genre and is the first in what I hope will be a series on Griff Carver, hallway patrol.

Selected Awards: Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery Novel (Nominated 2011), Christian Science Monitor 5 Great Mystery Books for Children, Starred Review by Publishers Weekly