THE CASE OF THE SUSPICIOUS SUBSTITUTE
A new teacher. A missing binder. And a school day that feels one wobble away from falling apart.
When Mrs. Ellis is unexpectedly absent, a brand-new substitute steps into Anna and Ava's classroom-and something immediately feels off.
The schedule is wrong.
The lessons don't match.
The materials are missing.
Anna notices every hesitation, every erased problem, every minute slipping away. Ava notices something else: fear.
Is the substitute hiding something?
Or is something important missing from the system itself?
As rumors spread across the playground and assumptions begin stacking like staircases, the sisters must separate facts from feelings before the entire day unravels. What starts as suspicion turns into something deeper-a lesson about anxiety, confirmation, and the difference between being unprepared and being unsupported.
This tenth installment in The Anna & Ava Detective Agency series is a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent mystery about:
- Jumping to conclusions
- Managing worry and overthinking
- Confirming facts before assuming the worst
- And discovering that not every wobble is a collapse
Perfect for readers ages 7-12 who love realistic school mysteries with heart, empathy, and real-life problem solving.
Because sometimes the case isn't about catching someone.
Sometimes it's about filling in the missing piece.
