Roy, Ron April Fools’ Fiasco (A to Z Mysteries Super Edition #9). 144 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Stepping Stone (Random House), 2017. $5.99. Content: Language: G (0 swears) Mature Content: G Violence: G.
It’s April Fools’ Day and bookstore owner Mr. Paskey plays a joke on Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose. But soon after he shows the kids his coin collection, someone breaks into his store and steals his box of coins. The kids drop their scheme of playing an April Fool’s joke on Mr. Paskey and instead try to help catch the thief.
While the topic of coin collecting and numismatics may not interest many kids, I think that there’s enough going on in the story to interest most. Ron Roy has been writing the A to Z Mysteries series for twenty years now and is still able to engage readers. With several possible suspects, the book takes the reader through the investigative process. This book has short chapters with lots of illustrations that will appeal to younger readers. The 26-letter secret message hidden in the illustrations adds to the enjoyment of this book.
EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Nancy W.