Follow the clues. Test the evidence. Crack the case!

Meet Trace Vermillion: middle schooler, science whiz, and detective extraordinaire!

At George Speck Middle School, strange things are happening, and Trace is on the case! Armed with a detective notebook, a sharp mind, and a passion for science, Trace knows that even the strangest mysteries have logical explanations. From suspicious slime and mysterious rashes to vanishing objects and runaway roller skates, every case calls for careful observation, clever experimentation, and a willingness to follow the evidence wherever it leads.

Luckily, Trace has backup! Her fearless best friend, Juno, brings athleticism, loyalty, and plenty of laughs to every investigation. Her dad, Mr. V, is the school’s janitor, with keys, insider knowledge, and a love of mystery novels that make him a valuable ally (even if he sometimes gets blamed for things he didn’t do!). Meanwhile, the school’s gruff but fair principal, DeWitt, remains skeptical of Trace’s junior detective work until the evidence speaks for itself.

Packed with school mysteries, surprising clues, scientific discoveries, and STEM spotlights, this collection invites readers to join the Sleuth Squad and put their own detective skills to the test. Can you spot the clues, crack the case, and solve each mystery before Trace does?

Chapters Include:

1. The Case of the Green Slime Sabotage

2. The Case of the Rash in Lane Four

3. The Case of the Vanishing Lighthouse Prism

4. The Case of the Popcorn Poltergeist

5. The Case of the Great Distance Disaster

6. The Case of the Runaway Roller Skates

7. The Case of the Cleaning Catastrophe

8. The Case of the Comic Book Caper

9. The Case of the Alien Foam Attack

10. The Case of the Zapped Science Drones