MANHUNT by Kate Messner

Anna, Henry and Jose are back in this third book in the Silver Jaguar Society series (following Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek). After a coordinated series of art thefts take place all over the world, the kids and their families in the Secret Jaguar Society head to Paris to try to get some leads on the stolen goods and save the Mona Lisa. But when the adult members of the SJS don't check in, the kids head out into Paris to try to solve the mystery on their own.

I loved book one in this series but had a harder time connecting with book two. But I was back in rhythm for book three! Henry is the focus character this time, and I really connected with his story outside the core story of the mystery. He has some mixed feelings about things happening with his family back in the States, and while the kids try to solve the mystery, Henry is really trying to sort out his feelings. He really gets to shine in this book. It makes me want to go back and read book one! This is a series best enjoyed in order. I think Capture the Flag would make a great classroom read-aloud.

4 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level at the time of this writing.

THE CASE OF THE TIME-CAPSULE BANDIT by Octavia Spencer

Randi's dad has moved them out of New York and to the middle of nowhere. He had no idea that Randi had become something of a neighborhood detective in New York, tracking down flower thieves and other area nuisances. Randi is ready to apply her detective skills to her new town's missing time capsule. If it's not found, the whole town could go bankrupt. Randi will have to work with two other sleuths to get to the bottom of the mystery and save her new community.

This was a good mystery. The ensemble of kids was likable. Yes, the "mean girl" character is a stereotype. But the main character is fantastic - fiesty, a black belt in tae kwon do, a martial arts aficionado, and daughter of a popular mystery writer. So far I have not seen any indication of a sequel.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.6

THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLD COIN by Harper Paris (Greetings from Somewhere series)

Ethan and Ella's mom has taken a job as a travel writer, so their family is packing up their house to live "on the road." Ethan and Ella aren't convinced this will be the adventure their parents think it will be. Before they even finish packing, though, Ethan loses his farewell gift from his beloved grandfather. The twins take one last trip around town to solve The Mystery of the Gold Coin.

This is the first book in this new series that feels like a good fit for kids just starting to enjoy chapter books. The premise means the author can take the kids to all sorts of different settings for each story, which can keep the interest up. Likable characters with realistic reluctance about their new life. I can already picture some students who might enjoy this series! Pictures of other books in the series are posted below. Books one and two are out now, book three comes out in May, and book 4 will release in August.

3 out of 5 stars
No AR level at this time

      

TURN LEFT AT THE COW by Lisa Bullard

Trav has always wondered about his absent father. When his mom marries and makes him leave his home, school and friends with no thought for his feelings, he runs away from California to Minnesota to stay with his grandmother and get answers to his life-long questions. He's stunned to find out that the popular story is that his dad robbed a bank then drowned and the money was never recovered. With a couple new friends, maybe Trav can find the truth before his mom drags him back to California - or before someone kills him.

This was a great mystery! It kept me guessing all the way to the end. There was a real sense of danger as the story built. The characters are great - Trav and Iz are dealing with complicated family circumstances and their struggles feel realistic. Fans of mysteries and character-centered stories will enjoy this one!

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.6

THREE TIMES LUCKY by Sheila Turnage

Mo (short from Moses) was found as a baby in a hurricane. She was found by "The Colonel" who lost his memory in that same storm. The Colonel and Miss Lana have raised Mo in their small community of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. When one of the locals is murdered, Mo and her best friend, Dale, decide to become detectives to keep Dale (one of the last people to see the victim alive) from being a suspect. The police become a presence in the town and the Colonel goes missing. Then Miss Lana is kidnapped. Mo is desperate to figure out what's going on and to get her family back, but she'll have to figure out who she can trust first.

At its core, this is a great mystery for kids. But for me, the mystery was secondary to the story about Mo and her family and friends - this community of characters. It is also about Mo's quest for identity as an orphan with a mysterious past. A really enjoyable story that will appeal to mystery fans as well as readers who enjoy realistic fiction.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 3.9

PLATYPUS POLICE SQUAD: THE FROG WHO CROAKED by Jarrett Krosoczka

A new chapter book series from the author of Punk Farm and the Lunch Lady graphic novels, Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

Rookie Police Detective, Rick Zengo, and seasoned detective, Corey O'Malley, are working on a new partnership while working on the case of a missing high school teacher. The case will pull them into night clubs and construction zones and a recent rash of secret sales of imitation fish. The partnership is pretty rocky, too, as Rick is the gung ho rookie who wants to run his mouth and flash his badge while O'Malley wants to play things cool. And in every thing they investigate is Frank Pandini Jr., the son of a crime boss. Is Junior as benevolent and clean as he wants everyone to believe, or is he a chip off the old block?

This was delightful. I was expecting something a little lighter - an early chapter book sort of story for kids moving from picture books to chapter books - but this is a wonderfully intricate mystery for a wide range of readers. The buddy-cop premise has worked for ages and it totally works here. Zengo is eager and determined - which can be assets when paired with wisdom and discretion - things he needs to learn from O'Malley.

4.5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.9

[Side note: our family got to meet Mr. Krosoczka at ALA this summer and he was funny and gracious. We are happy to read anything he writes, including the next Platypus Police Squad book, The Ostrich Conspiracy as well as the next Lunch Lady book, Lunch Lady and the Schoolwide Scuffle which releases in January.]

CHAPTER BOOK: Ruby Redfort - Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child

Ruby Redfort is a brilliant girl - an observant, code-cracking jr. high student - who finds herself in the middle of several mysteries.
1) Where did all of her family's possessions disappear to one day while she was at school?
2) Who is the not-quite-right butler ("household manager") who showed up that same day?
3) What's up with the coded phone call she receieved?
Ruby and her best friend Clancy have a lot of codes to crack and clues to follow to sort out all the mysteries swirling around them

This was a great mystery with brave and smart protagonists and plenty of loose threads to pick up in a sequel (Ruby Redfort Take Your Last Breath, available now). Lauren Child is the author of the Charlie and Lola books (that were turned into a TV program on Disney Channel a few years ago) and the Clarice Bean books. I haven't read Clarice Bean, but apparently Clarice reads Ruby Redfort books and that's what prompted Child to write this series. (Clarice Bean is on my reading list for this summer, too.) And I am so glad. I can't wait to put this into the hands of all the students who ask "Where are your mysteries?"

5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.6

Recommended for: fans of Clarice Bean, mystery fans, readers looking for strong female characters


[Just a side note - this is my 900th post! How exciting! Might have to plan something extra fun for number 1000.]

CHAPTER BOOK: Who Cloned the President? by Ron Roy

Summary: (first in the Capital Mysteries series) Two fourth graders stumble into a major mystery when they realize the man on TV is a clone of the President of the United States.

Review: This one caught me off guard. I kept expecting it to be a simple misunderstanding that the kids blew out of proportion, but they are actually right. The President has been cloned and the kids swoop in to save the day. While implausible, it is a cute story that kids will enjoy. I know my son liked it so much, he wants to check out the rest of the series. Maybe he will do some guest blogging for me this summer when he finishes book 2, Kidnapped at the Capital.

AR level of 3.5
3 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: Kids ready for chapter books, grades 1 through 4