#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer Series - chapter books for readers who like mysteries - 8.05.21

Every year I always have students that are looking for mysteries.  That collection continues to grow every year, and I'm glad to be adding these chapter books to the collection!

     

Mack Rhino, Private Eye series

written by Paul Dubois and Jennifer Swender

illustrated by Karl West

Mack Rhino is a private eye, always on the lookout for new cases along with his trusted assistant, Redd Oxpeck (bird).  Usually there is something amiss in his community and he's always willing to help!  

This early chapter book series is full of decodable text, large font, and illustrations.  The chapters are pretty short and the books come in just over 60 pages.  The start of each book features a list of characters that may appear in the book to frontload character names.  Throughout the book there are bold words that can be found in the glossary at the end of the book.  The book does have phrases and some additional words in bold that are not in the glossary, which can be a little confusing.  Not sure why the overuse of bold print!   There are also some discussion questions at the end of the book.  These are often helpful for grownups who are reading the book with the reader and are looking for guidance with asking questions.

There are two books in the series that are available now.  The third book publishes next month!

Recommendations:

for read aloud: grades kg-1

for independent reading: grades kg-2 

Secret Spy Society: The Case of the Missing Cheetah

by Veronica Mang

Three friends stumble upon a mystery right outside their window.  They spot a woman and her umbrella stealing away in the rainy night.  When they follow her they are very surprised to find it's their teacher!  And she happens to go to a place that is full of women... women sleuths!  The girls are honored when they get to help solve their most recent mystery.

Adults will recognize some of the names in the story since they are all famous women sleuths from history.  I like that some background is given to new readers in the backmatter.

The chapter book is full of illustrations, drawn in grayscale with a yellow highlight splashed here and there!  While the font is small, the large illustrations actually make this a quick story.

It looks to be a series and I'll be interested in seeing what other mysteries the girls have to solve.

Recommendations:

for read aloud: grades 1-2

for independent reading: grades 2-3

Aven Green Sleuthing Machine

written by Dusti Bowling

illustrated by Gina Perry

I ADORE Aven Green and love Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.  Her wit and tenacity are qualities that make her such a fun character.  I was so excited to hear she would be appearing in a chapter book series that would give us Aven as a third grader.

In this first book, Aven is making use of her skills as a detective - because she has solved so many cases already in her lifetime - and trying to help find her great-grandma's missing dog.  And at the same time, delicious food and treats from school keep getting swiped up.  Hmmmm.... lots to solve, but good thing Aven and her friends are on the case!

I'm so excited that readers are going to grow up with Aven.  Every book has me laughing and wanting to read more.  I'm excited that book 2 will be here later this month!  I love Gina Perry's illustrations.  Readers will find them on most pages and she does a great job bringing everyone to life!

Recommendations:

for read aloud: grades 2-3

for independent reading: grades 2-5

Like what you see here?  Be sure to stop by every Thursday for more chapter book suggestions!  If you want to see all of the posts in the series, click on "Chapter Book Summer Series 2021 under the "Labels" section, located on the right side of the blog.  See you again next week!