London Eye Mystery

Dowd, S. (2008). The London Eye mystery. Oxford: David Fickling Books.

The London Eye Mystery was cute, but I did not fall in love with it.  It's a really quick read, with chapters that are just a few pages each.  It's told from Ted's point of view, and he's a Londoner who happens to be autistic.  His "brain is wired differently", as he says.  His autism is covered in a very positive, though realistic light.  His family is very supportive, but they do occasionally get a little frustrated with him.  He works on his social skills with a therapist, and there are reminders of his lessons throughout the book.  Ted's aunt Gloria, and cousin Salim come to stay with them on their way out of the country to move to New York.  They decide to ride the London Eye, and Salim disappears - he goes up in the Eye then never returns.  Ted and his sister Kat work as amateur detectives to figure out what happened to Salim.  The family gets very stressed out as the kids race to solve the mystery.