A to Z Mysteries Series
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries series is a wholesome, funny bunch of sleuthing stories that have just enough twists to keep readers interested, and enough clues that readers can solve the mystery before Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose. The kids are always trying to help others and do the right thing, like when they gave their reward money to a high school kid so he could afford college. There's nothing scary in these mysteries, the chapters are short, and everything wraps up nicely at the end of each book: good guys win, bad guys lose. The kids’ audio streaming platform Pinna features seasons of the interactive mystery podcast, A to Z Mysteries: Clue Club, based on the book series.
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What's the Story?
In the A TO Z MYSTERY series, young friends Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose work together to solve mysteries in and around their town of Green Lawn. They cases range from smaller issues (finding a secret valentine or a missing lottery ticket), to solving the case of a kidnapped author, a stolen mummy, a bank robbery, and more. Their adventures occasionally taken them outside Green Lawn, but they mysteries are always solved by the end of the book, with a happily-ever-after conclusion.
Is It Any Good?
These are great mysteries for beginning readers. The chapters are short but interesting, the friends are funny and helpful, and the mysteries aren't too complicated. There are bits of humor for adults reading along, such as the California-bound thief named Dorothy Calm, aka Dot Calm. The three friends in A to Z Mysteries are always on the go, and while their parents are mentioned, they never worry that elementary school kids are chasing felons -- and neither will readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the kids solve crimes in the A to Z Mysteries. What helps them figure out the answer?
Do you think your town would ever ask you to help solve a mystery? Why or why not?
Are these cases easier or harder to solve than other mystery books you've read?
Book Details
- Author: Ron Roy
- Illustrator: John Steve Gurney
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Random House
- Publication date: September 23, 1997
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 9
- Number of pages: 96
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew Series
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Nate the Great Series
Nate solves neighborhood mysteries in fun new-reader series.
For kids who love mysteries
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