Interview with Wendi Schuller, Author of ‘The Adventures of Margo: Girl Detective’

An interview about The Adventures of Margo, Girl Detective, presented by The Children’s Book Review in partnership with Wendi Schuller.

In this interview, we sit down with Wendi Schuller to talk about The Adventures of Margo: Girl Detective, the art of crafting mysteries for young readers, and why courage, curiosity, and connection matter more than ever.

With a passion for storytelling and a keen insight into young minds, Wendi Schuller introduces readers to The Adventures of Margo, Girl Detective. In our conversation, she shares how Margo’s tenacity and teamwork set her apart from classic sleuths, why everyday neighborhoods can be filled with extraordinary adventures, and how her stories inspire logic, courage, and connection in today’s young readers.

Margo joins the ranks of classic girl detectives, but she’s distinctly modern. What makes her different from the Nancy Drews and Encyclopedia Browns that came before? 

Wendi Schuller (WS): What is different about Margo is her interpersonal relationships. She doesn’t just associate with people her own age. She allows adults into her life as mentors and advisors. Their input helps her to analyze and solve mysteries. Her cases are more varied – from finding lost objects to a person.

Margo has life lessons that are passed on to the reader. For example, pranks can escalate into meanness. How to handle difficult situations that readers may be facing. The book demonstrates the importance of connections, curiosity, and creativity.

Margo is 10 years old—right at that sweet spot between childhood wonder and growing independence. Why was this particular age crucial for your protagonist?

I partially picked this age because I had Mrs. Bath as my 4th-grade teacher. I learned about London, studying Chaucer, doing crafts, etc. It made sense to have Margo be the same age. Also, because sometimes adults don’t take 10-year-olds seriously. Margo demonstrates her tenacity, determination, and creativity. Adults seek out Margo for jobs. She is respected. I feel Margo is a good role model at this age.

The book features everything from runaway cases to ghostly encounters. How do you calibrate the right level of suspense and mystery for 7–10-year-olds without making it too scary?

I think back to when I was in 4th grade – what would be too intense. Nowadays, there is a lot on the internet, and films seem to have notched it up a bit for scary. I prefer being subtle so readers can use their imaginations rather than for gore.

Friendship plays a central role, with Margo’s two best friends always ready for the next case. How do you use these relationships to model teamwork and problem-solving for young readers?

The friendship between the three girls is give and take. While Margo is the lead, Bhini and Alice are encouraged to share their viewpoints and concerns. They are supportive of each other. Cases are broken down, and each girl has a role. They are accountable and responsible for their tasks.

Problem-solving can mean going to someone with more experience and recognizing your own limitations. Logan fills this role as a mentor and friend.

Your background in hypnotherapy and working with children seems like perfect preparation for writing about deduction and observation. How do these skills inform Margo’s detective methods?

When working with children in the schools, I noticed where their interests lie. They came to me with their problems and we worked together for a solution. I used this for Margo. She knows her strong points, realizes her limitations, and gets help. Margo thinks outside of the box – which is the key to solving mysteries.

The book encourages “logic, courage, and teamwork.” In our current world, why are these particular skills especially important for young people to develop?

Teamwork is a skill needed for life. When there is a team, there is more problem-solving and support, as Margo has with Bhini, Alice, and Logan.  Have courage, particularly in a difficult situation. It took courage for Margo to honor a boundary and turn down a client. For Margo, logic is looking at different sides of a situation and finding what works. In one case, it was assumed that important papers were lost. Margo used logic to discover their whereabouts.

Unlike Jack Jack’s globe-trotting adventures in your other children’s book, Margo’s mysteries are more local. What drew you to explore the idea that extraordinary adventures can happen right in our own neighborhoods?

I grew up in Ohio and felt this would be a different setting than in other books. People can have adventures and interesting experiences in their own neighborhoods. Be open and aware of what’s going on around you. Margo shows we don’t have to go globe-trotting to find excitement. Adventure is finding something new, like going to a festival or cultural event. Margo and Alice enjoy going to Bhini’s and eating yummy Indian food. Mrs. Bath shares her adventures with the class and does British customs such as tea and scones.

Beyond entertainment, what do you most hope young readers will carry with them after following Margo through her first set of mysteries?

Hopefully, kids will realize the importance of connections with different sorts of people. Build your own network. Margo and her friends show compassion for humans and creatures. I want children to think about helping others.

About the Book

Publisher’s Book Summary: Margo is not your average ten-year-old. She’s a junior detective with a knack for solving mysteries that leave even the adults stumped!

Join Margo as she jumps into thrilling adventures – from tracking down a runaway to tailing a mysterious spy. With her quick thinking, fearless determination, and a little help from her two best friends, Margo navigates a world filled with quirky characters, puzzling clues, and even a ghostly encounter.

But can Margo keep her cool, and will she crack the case before it’s too late?
Perfect for young readers who love mystery, adventure, and a dash of the unexpected!

Buy the Book

About the Author

Wendi Schuller is a world traveler, author, and speaker who channels her global adventures into charming children’s stories. Her books include Jack Jack the Cat and The Adventures of Margo, Girl Detective, which inspire curiosity, courage, and creativity.

Wendi has explored over 70 countries and incorporates these experiences into her work as a writer and international motivational speaker. Her diverse background includes nursing, hypnotherapy, and working with children. She brings these unique perspectives into every story she tells.

This interview—Interview with Wendi Schuller, Author of ‘The Adventures of Margo: Girl Detective’—was conducted between Wendi Schuller and Bianca Schulze.