The Further Adventures of Jack Lime by James Leck Grades 7-10 160 pages Kids Can Press April 2013 Hardcover     Where does a hardscrabble, wisecracking private investigator get his start? According to author James Leck, the answer is high school. Jack Lime is the cliche-spouting, root beer float-drinking, crime-solving teenager who finds himself at equal odds with bullies and criminals and with his grandma and the high school principal. Lime faces off with the typical thugs and crafty masterminds of any good crime caper, but this time they have more juvenile motivations: a gambling ring based on pickup sports at the park, or art theft from the school talent competition. This book (the second starring Jack Lime) is absurd fun. Adults can appreciate the sendup of standard crime novel tropes - the witty female journalist, snitches, heavies and dames in distress. Kids can appreciate the quick-hitting stories and snappy banter between Jack and the cast of characters around him. It’s the right kind of book for parents and kids to read together, or kids could fly through it on their own. Either way, it’s enjoyable for all PIs and goons involved.     web reviews   Zane Ewton/2013 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)