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Who Done It? | April 3, 2013

edited by Jon Scieszcka (Soho Teen, Feb. 2013)

What do you get when over eighty of today’s most talented children’s book authors go to a party to celebrate their editor, Mildew? Murder! Fortunately, Jon Scieszcka is on hand to ask ‘Who Done It?’ What follows is a hilarious investigation with some of the most absurd, ingenious, and creative alibis imaginable from all parts of the children’s book world, including: picture book author-and-illustrators like Mo Willems and Peter Brown, middle-grade authors like Adam Gidwitz and Lemony Snicket, teen authors like John Green and Kiersten White, and even a few adult authors like Dave Eggers.

Some authors avoid giving any real answers like David Levithan, who through a poem claims he’d much rather kill Mildew countless times through his writing than just one measly time in real life. Some pass the blame onto others like Elizabeth Eulbergwho ostensibly had an obsession with the vile man, but points her finger at both Mr. Levithan and Sarah Shepard. And still others come up with somewhat convincing alibis like Libba Bray, who couldn’t have killed Mildew because she’s never met a single deadline in her career. In the end, it’s clear that nearly everyone assembled at the party had some vendetta against their editor and all had a reason to kill him, but thankfully, Scieszka doesn’t leave readers hanging for answers.

Although organized alphabetically, this anthology works best when you dip in and out of its crime-ridden pages. About to read Patrick Carman’s latest novel? Want to see if Rebecca Stead has a darker side? Have a few minutes to kill? Now’s the perfect time to dive right in.

Despite the dark subject matter, the book was done in good fun and for a good cause. Proceeds will go to support 826NYC (http://www.826nyc.org/), a non-profit organization in New York which aims to help students aged 6-18 with their creative writing.

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