Reese’s Review of The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2011

Exposition:

Steve Brixton is a detective want-to-be. Fascinated by the "Bailey Brothers" detective books, Steve has studied the trade extensively especially focusing on the Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook.

Conflict:

But at just 12 years old, no one takes him seriously especially his mom's new boyfriend, Rick, a cop with the local police department. To top it all off, Steve finds himself assigned an eight page report on needlework by his favorite teacher and on a weekend to boot! The assignment, however, places Steve smack dab in the middle of a mystery where no one except his best friend believes him.

Rising Action:

On Saturday, Steve goes to the local library to do research on "American needlework" and find one book on American quilts. When he approaches the librarian to check it out, he mistakenly gives her his Bailey Brothers detective card instead of his library card. Before he can figure out what is happening, he is on the run from the "Librarians" who think he is a real detective, trying to figure out who the mysterious "Mr. E" is, and dodging the cops who have been instructed that he is armed and dangerous.

Climax:

After Steve and his best friend Dana escape a being held hostage on a ship, Steve runs into Rick and then overhears him telling his boss that he will bring Steve in to the police station. Steve takes off in the police car headed towards the library and a chase ensues.

Falling Action:

Steve stops at the local library followed by both police and the bookmobile full of "Librarians". He lets everyone else in on his version of what he thinks happened and shows the quilt's hiding place only to find the quilt gone.

Resolution:

Ms. Gilfeather is revealed by Steve as Mr. E and the famous quilt is found in her bike basket. Steve, alas, is a REAL detective.

Literary Elements:

Fascinated with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries as a kid, I thoroughly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek allusions to those series. Mac Barnett nails them perfectly using precise vocabulary and syntax to imitate the older mystery series in the "snippets" woven through the story from Bailey Brothers books. The author also uses the strong figurative language technique of satire; its witty use of irony and exaggeration, evident in elements such as the Red Herring Tavern added to the entertainment factor of the book.

Barnett, M. (2009). The case of the case of mistaken identity. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.