January Joker (Calendar Mysteries Series #1)

by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator)

Overview

It’s a mystery every month from popular A to Z Mysteries author Ron Roy!

January is for Joker...
 
In the first book of the Calendar Mysteries—an early chapter book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives—Green Lawn has a problem! When Bradley Pinto wakes up in the night to strange lights in his backyard, he wonders if there are aliens in town. When he sees three-toed tracks in the snow, he's sure of it. His twin, Brian, and friends Lucy and Nate aren't so certain. But then Lucy's cousin Dink, the twins' brother Josh, and Nate's sister Ruth Rose all disappear. Are there really aliens in Green Lawn? And where could they be taking Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose?
 
Parents, teachers, and librarians agree that these highly collectible chapter books are perfect for emerging readers and any kid who love mysteries!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375856617
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	12/22/2009
Series:	Calendar Mysteries Series , #1
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	111,532
Product dimensions:	5.24(w) x 7.64(h) x 0.27(d)
Lexile:	380L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

RON ROY has been writing books for children since 1974. He is the author of dozens of books, including the popular A to Z Mysteries, Capital Mysteries, and Calendar Mysteries. When not working on a new book in his Connecticut home, Ron likes to teach tricks to his dog Pal, play poker with friends, travel, and read thrilling mystery books. Visit him online at RonRoy.com.

JOHN STEVEN GURNEY has illustrated many books for children, including the entire A to Z Mysteries series and Scholastic’s popular Bailey School Kids series. He lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

Strange lights and stranger creatures invade Green Lawn, kidnapping people and pets alike. With all the grown-ups out for breakfast, only twins Bradley and Brian and their friends Lucy and Nate can search for clues and rescue everyone from the aliens. From tracks in the snow to disturbing information, the kids use all their sleuthing skills to trace the aliens to an unexpected location: the attic. With quick thinking and the help of the local police and fire fighters, the joke is on the big kids, who had staged a hoax out of revenge. When the little kids get to pick out the punishment, however, they get the last laugh. The first book in the "Calendar Mysteries" series features the younger relatives of sixth graders Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose from the popular "A to Z" series, and as "A Stepping Stone Book" it is designed for newly independent readers. Quick dialog and engaging illustrations keep the pace moving. Young readers will be eager to follow the clues along with the protagonists to discover the truth. The way in which the jokers recount the steps they took to set up the hoax will help build problem-solving skills. A fun read for mystery lovers and a wacky addition to a unit on space, this quirky book begs for class activities such as carving potato prints and a design-your-own-alien contest. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis

Children's Literature - Keri Collins Lewis

Gr 1–3—This spin-off of the popular "A to Z Mysteries" series (Random) stars the younger siblings and cousin of sixth-graders Josh, Ruth Rose, and Dink. In this first installment, seven-year-old Bradley wakes up to see strange lights in the backyard. He rouses his twin and friends Nate and Lucy to investigate the strange occurrence and is convinced that aliens have landed in Green Lawn. Bradley has an easier time convincing the others when Josh, Ruth Rose, Dink, and the dog go missing the next day. The kids find a piece of paper about alien abductions in Josh's printer tray and receive two disturbing phone calls from the suspected abductees. Things get even more harried when they catch glimpses of strange creatures and hear thumps in the attic. The story is full of clever twists and turns and is an excellent choice for reluctant readers. This early chapter book should be a hit with young readers.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

School Library Journal

Overactive imaginations and a gentle kind of groupthink combine with tricky sixth-grade siblings (all familiar character to readers of Roy's A to Z Mysteries) to make for one exciting Saturday morning. With all the parents out for breakfast and the older kids left in charge as babysitters, younger siblings Brady, Brian, Nate and Lucy take the bait left by their older siblings. First they see a strange snow circle, then mysterious footprints. Next, an article about aliens left on the missing Josh's computer leads the open-eyed youngsters to imagine the worst: Aliens must have stolen their older brothers and sisters! Frequent recaps and straightforward events make this a fine first mystery for the ready-for-chapter-book set. More experienced readers might find the plot simple and predictable, but new readers have to start somewhere and this is the book for them. A light, easy-to-read introduction to this new series . . . and the A to Z Mysteries they can graduate to, as well. (Mystery. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews