Alice-Miranda in Japan by Jacqueline Harvey

Title: Alice-Miranda in Japan

Author: Jacqueline Harvey

Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Publisher: Puffin Australia

Published: 17^th September 2019/3^rd February 2014

Format: Paperback

Pages: 352

Price: $16.99

Synopsis: Travel, treasure and trickery in bustling Tokyo.

When Alice-Miranda, Millie and Jacinta travel to Japan during the school holidays, they are in for a fascinating treat. Dolly Oliver, the family cook, has been invited to speak at a conference in Tokyo on her Just Add Water (JAW) food creation. But she is even more interested in her newest invention, and vows to try it out while overseas.

Alice-Miranda becomes embroiled in an elaborate missing persons hunt when a gift from her father confuses the authorities. Things come to a head when Alice-Miranda and her friends are invited to dinner at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and the plans of a jealous sister begin to unravel, with startling consequences.

~*~

It’s time for another school holiday adventure! After spending time with her friends, Alice-Miranda is off to Japan with her family and Mrs Oliver. Dolly is headed to speak at a food conference, Alice-Miranda’s mother and aunt are busy working, so Hugh will be taking Alice-Miranda, Jacinta and Millie all around Japan. There’s secret inventions, a missing princess, and a gift that has everyone confused. Plus, there’s fun to be had learning Japanese and exploring the culture.

The ninth Alice-Miranda book is another adventure overseas, bringing another country and culture to life for younger readers. There’s a lot going on, including Alice-Miranda and her friends getting to dress up as cute Japanese characters during their exploration of Tokyo. It’s called a Harajuku makeover, which sounds like a lot of fun, especially the Itoshii squirrel. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

But there are dark secrets and people following them around, mistaking Alice-Miranda for someone else. As the story unfolds, the girls’ adventure takes them to the Imperial Palace, to a retirement home and meeting lots of new people and embarking on another fantastic mystery and adventure.

Alice-Miranda is growing up, and from here on out, it looks as though each year might be covered in two or three books, based on publication dates and the books I have already read in the series, including the last three. I loved this book, because I think this is a great way to explore the world and get a taste of cultures and languages. Not everyone can afford language lessons or travel, so travelling and learning through the page is something I love to do. Plus, it might spark an interest in a country or a desire to visit again if one has already been there. It’s also the characters that made this book work for me, as they navigated a new culture and country and learnt about their customs and traditions. It’s a great addition to the series and takes the characters on such a fun adventure, I can’t wait to see what is in store for them and me next!

In this book, we get to see the melding of the modern world and the traditional world of Japan, where manga, anime and the Imperial family are significant parts of the country and culture. Like any good mystery, as readers we are drip-fed information as we need to know it, and when it becomes relevant, which is how the Alice-Miranda books work with their mysteries and plots. And its lovely to see how the relationships and families are changing throughout the series. I love seeing how this works, and will be eager to see what happens later in the series as well.

As the book moves along, things become more involved, and there is a sense that something is going to happen. Rest assured everyone is safe, as they always are in an Alice-Miranda book, which is one of the things I love about the series. It’s got just enough tension to keep readers going without heading into nerve-raising territory. And I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series throughout the year as well. Onto much more reading which will include more Alice-Miranda!