When I first opened The Backyard Detectives, I thought I was stepping into a lighthearted story about kids solving a simple puzzle. Instead, I found myself pulled into Rose and Jacob’s tender, brave attempt to piece together the truth about their family. It starts with whispers in the night, a word spoken that shakes their world, and from there the children form their detective agency to uncover what their parents won’t say out loud. The story follows them as they gather clues, scribble notes, and stumble into painful truths about divorce, betrayal, and the shaky ground of family change. Beneath it all, it’s about love, resilience, and the way siblings can hold each other up when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

Reading this book stirred a lot in me. I was moved by how raw and honest the writing felt, especially when seen through the eyes of kids who don’t have the words yet for heartbreak but feel it anyway. The mystery framework was clever, but what really struck me was how the author captured the silence that children notice, the small details that adults think slip by but never do. I felt protective of Rose and Jacob, and at times, I caught myself clenching my jaw at the father’s actions. The scenes in the attic, with the hidden box of photos, hit me hard. I could almost feel the air leave the room. The emotions were messy, which made them real.

At the same time, I admired how much heart there was in the writing. Even with the storm of lies and loss, the book never gave up on hope. Rose and Jacob’s loyalty to each other carried everything. I loved how they shifted from being detectives chasing secrets to being, in their own words, the “Heart Team” who protected their mom and each other. That small twist made me tear up. It reminded me of how children often shoulder more than they should, yet they still find a way to turn pain into strength. The dialogue felt authentic, and the pacing kept me hooked. There were moments of laughter too, light scenes tucked into the heaviness, and they mattered just as much as the heartbreak.

The story doesn’t pretend that everything will be okay right away, and I appreciated that. It honors the confusion and grief while still pointing toward healing. I’d recommend this book to parents who want to help their kids navigate big changes, to kids who need to feel seen when their family is breaking apart, and to anyone who has lived through divorce and wants to see that story told with care. It’s not just a children’s book. It’s a reminder that even in brokenness, love can still hold.

Pages: 86 | ASIN : B0FDVKSRRH