The L.A. Dodger (Ballpark Mysteries Series #3)

by David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers (Illustrator)

Overview

Now batting third—book #3 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

It's spring break and Kate and Mike are off to Los Angeles to visit Kate's dad, a scout for the Dodgers. But all is not sunny in L.A.—strange things have been happening to Kate's dad. Pages have gone missing from his clipboard. He's gotten threatening phone calls. And he thinks he's being followed! Is someone after Mr. Hopkins's top secret scouting reports?

The L.A. Dodger includes a fun fact page about Los Angeles's Dodger Stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375868856
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	07/26/2011
Series:	Ballpark Mysteries Series , #3
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	35,255
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

DAVID A. KELLY has written for many newspapers and magazines, and Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse, published in spring 2009, was his first book for children. He lives 15 minutes from Fenway Park in Newton, Massachusetts, with his wife, Alice; two sons, Steven and Scott; and a dog named Sam.

MARK MEYERS grew up in Utah and studied art in San Francisco at the Academy of Art University. This is his first project for Random House.

Editorial Reviews

Number three in the "Ballpark Mystery" series takes cousins Mike and Kate to visit Kate's father in Los Angeles. He is a scout for the L.A. Dodgers and treats the children to a tour of Dodger Stadium, as well as other tourist attractions in the Los Angeles area. However, there has been some trouble in the scouting business with important papers, cell phones, and notebooks going missing. As Kate's father tries to protect the special notebook he is carrying, the children notice that someone has been following them and they hatch a plan to catch him. This is a good introduction to the mystery genre and readers will enjoy following the characters through this series, especially if they have an interest in baseball. The "Dugout Notes" at the end of the book are a good addition connecting facts to the fiction. The series also has a good website (ballparkmysteries.com) that includes a blog by Mike, the main character, bonus features, and a guide for educators. Reviewer: Susan Thomas

Children's Literature - Susan Thomas