Heartwarming New England farm story and seaside adventure book for kids

Title: Kara and the Two Mysteries

Author: Jessica Policarpo

Paperback ISBN: 9791221087062, $16.99

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Kara and the Two Mysteries by Jessica Policarpo

I loved reading Jessica Policarpo’s Kara and the Two Mysteries, the much-anticipated second book in the popular Kara Series. (Read my review for Kara and The Magic Camper here. Kara and the Magic Camper can be purchased here.) These easy-to-read chapter books are ideal for pre-teens but young-at-heart adults will enjoy them too as farm nostalgia are combined with timeless adventure in an enchanted forest (book 1) and at the beach (book 2). Yvetta Douarin is responsible for the captivating color illustrations found in both books.

Kara is a twelve-year-old happy-go-lucky farmgirl. She lives in a renovated barn with her parents, baby brother Richard, grandma Violet and some animal friends. Her parents and baby brother are often away. When Grandma Violet sleeps on her rocking chair on the back porch, Kara and her animal friends have the farm to themselves. Kara has strong values, speaks her mind in a straightforward but kind way, and puts the needs of others first. She sets a wonderful example to readers in the way she conducts herself and treat others.

In Kara and the Two Mysteries, readers are taken on a fun-filled and action-packed seaside expedition with a distinct mystery flavor. This time around, our beloved farm dwellers take their camper and embark on a lovely summer holiday at Great Aunty Rose and her nephew young Tom who, like Kara, can both communicate with animals.

Throughout the book, the reader is aware of the author's grown-up voice delivering a moral or philosophical lesson. For example: "Each one of us has our own destiny and path and talent; it is right that we follow it in our own way. Sometimes we just have to let people be free and not force them to do what we want them to do. If we each do our own thing and accept each other for the way we are with our differences and similarities, life is easier and it flows better." (p. 24). Also: "Each one of us has our own journey on this planet. Even if we walk next to others, at the end of the day, the steps you put on the path are yours, the shadow that follows you is yours, the body you carry is yours, the thoughts you have are yours, the feelings you feel are yours, the name you have is yours, the heart which beats inside you is yours. No one else has been given the gifts that belong to you" pp. (118-119). Although it is normally frowned upon when authors sneak lessons or sermons into children's books, it works well with this particular story and quirky characters. It is functional and readers will see it as part of the characters’ growth and path of self-realization.

Double (and even triple) question marks and quotation marks were used for effect. For example: “What on earth??", “You have invaded my space!!” (p. 27), "The sea!!" (p. 46) and "you ugly, squirmy little things!!!” (p. 159). I thought this a clever way to highlight emotion and deliver a bit of childish fun.

There were a few errors that I noted. On pages 52 and 134, paragraphs were indented by accident. On page 70 we have a perspective change mid-text when Granny Violet remembered when she was young. On page 119, we read: "All those years, she had thought she was what other people said she was." Since it is a chicken is coming to this realization, "others" would have been a better choice than "people.”

That said, Kara and the Two Mysteries is a commendable read. First and foremost, the story celebrates friendship and family. Readers learn the importance of looking out for each other, spending time together, getting along with others, and making allowances for each other. They also learn about courage, facing your fears, believing in yourself and your capabilities, acknowledging your qualities, asking forgiveness, taking responsibility, telling others what they mean to you, being more attentive and aware of your surroundings, being thankful, working together to solve problems, and embracing change.

I believe Kara and the Two Mysteries may help children put a name to their emotions. Children with a higher EQ are generally happier and more fulfilled. The book may also help children with a low self-esteem to embrace who they are and grow more confident and assertive. For instance, one of the characters came to the beautiful realization "that she could get all the love in the world from the outside, but if she didn’t fill herself with her own love, whatever others would give her would never be hers, but it would always be something that was given" (119).

The book asks the universal questions, "How can I be the best version of myself?" and "How can I be a good friend?" Or, in other words: "How can I love myself and others?"

Review by Louise Viljoen