Customer Reviews

The Absent Author (A to Z Mysteries)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wanted to get a beginner's chapter book for my almost 6-year-old daughter. I thought about Junie B. Jones or the Magic Tree House series, but I was turned off by Junie's poor grammar (or at least the author's attempt to make her sound like a "real" 6-year-old), and by the Magic Tree House's female character being "dreamy" while her brother was "logical". This book managed to avoid those caveats, while still being an entertaining read for my daughter. I wasn't sure at first if she could follow a chapter book on her own, with illustrations only appearing every 3 pages or so, so I read her the first two chapters last night. This morning, the first thing she reached for was that book. Instead of getting up and watching Saturday morning cartoons, she sat in bed, ate a banana, and finished her new book. I couldn't ask for anything better.

I'm ecstatic with my recent discovery of Ron Roy's A-to-Z-Mysteries. In the first installment, the Absent Author, we meet the young team of accidental sleuths: the well read and thoughtful Dink (that's Donald David Duncan when his mother means business); neighbor Ruth Rose (who dresses in pink, utilizes keen powers of observation, and initiates the climactic discovery); and best friend Josh (whose appetite, comic relief, and quick thinking rounds out the team). Confronted with the disappearance of their favorite author (Wallis Wallace), the trio assembles clues, follows leads, and eventually unravels the mystery. Early readers will appreciate the young detectives' savvy in piecing together the seemingly complex puzzle. Parents and teachers will notice the author's skillful portrayal of young people's mature interaction with both their peers and a broad spectrum of adult characters. Author Roy lays a clear trail of clues, steadily reinforces key discoveries, and cleanly closes the circle in less than 90 pages (including a fair smattering of helpful black and white drawings). Fortunately, he also sprinkles humor throughout the dialogue that pleases both young and old readers. Parents frustrated by the counter-culture mentality that promotes Rugrats and South Park will appreciate that Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose respect adults (yet know when to question authority), speak clearly, read and think, care about others, and work together to achieve their goals -- it's refreshing for young readers to be exposed to inquisitive, well mannered role models. Try the Absent Author and, while you're at it, pick up the sequel, the Bald Bandit. My son is already clamoring for the Canary Caper, and I doubt we'll be disappointed.

This mystery book is about 3 children, Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose, who follow clues to track down a missing famous author. I read this book to my 2 daughters ages 8 and 5. They both loved it. My 5 year old normally has a hard time paying attention to chapter books but SHE was the one begging for "just one more chapter" each night when it was time to put the book down. This morning she asked me if we could start the "B" book tonight!!! My 8 year old packed the book to take with her to school to read herself during DEAR today! I would say it's a hit all around!

This is a great book! It is about three kids, Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose who solve mysteries together. This mystery is about an authour who is kidnapped on his way to a library where he was to autographe books and give advise to kids.

I also enjoyed the humorous names of people and places such as Wallis Wallice and Green Lawn.

This is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery and a few good jokes.

My eight year old grandson is avid reader. He reads 2 years ahead of his grade level in school. I always think of books for my grandkids as gifts. When his birthday was coming, I came looking for books. I found this series. They are called the A-Z mysteries. I bought the first ten books A-J and they were such a success. He loves everyone of them. I am going to buy more of them to use as gifts for good report cards, etc. I think that books are the most important gift that you can give to a child and these books are great.

For all children and families who love to read. An enjoyable book by an truly creative and imaginative author. Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose are a trio of friends who enjoy solving mysteries in the small town of Green Lawn. This mystery book series is a wonderful way to introduce children to a life of enjoyable reading and create a "family hour of fun and discussions"!

My son's teacher tells me he reads a grade level ahead--he is an 8 year old second grader, and I try to encourage him as much as I can. The only 'problem' is we are a bunch of readers in my house and my youngest frequently earns the title of 'contrary-boy' as he will specifically choose to do things his own way. I have (multiple times) feared he would balk at reading just to be different. Thankfully, it hasn't gotten that far but he does balk at reading a lot of the books his brother was interested in at the same age (Pokemon--no loss there, Magic Tree House, Boxcar Children etc). On the other hand, he will try some of the books his older brother will read NOW, like the Wimpy Kid books.

In any case, trying to find a book series he will like, that are age appropriate, and he won't ignore because I'm too happy about it can be a challenge. No "hey look honey at the wonderful book isn't it great!!!". More the "eh, a book, I'll just leave it here and maybe you'll like it".

Now, oddly enough, my older son declined reading the A to Z books--I can't remember if they were offered to him too early/too late, or he just didn't like them. I decided to give this one a try and my youngest absolutely adored it and finished it in one sitting. Amazing!!

So, I give this one the "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" label, with the caveat that all children are different and have different tastes. This one defintely has appeal and is worthwhile, but if your kiddo doesn't like it, well keep trying!

JTG

A group of kids awaits a book signing with their favorite mystery author, Wallis Wallace. But the author never shows, and the kids find it strange. As they follow clues, they think Wallis Wallace has been kidnapped.

I like this book because it's pure kid imagination. It's what kids wish would happen. Who didn't want to be part of a mystery crew like on Scooby Doo or this A - Z Mysteries crew? The start to this series is imaginative, fun and keeps you interested.

I like everything about the kidnapping stuff. I like Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose. I think the pictures should be in color.
It was a good mystery.

Have you ever invited a famous person to visit you who accepted the invation and strangely never showed up?Well Dink has! The
Absent Author is Dink and Ruth Roses' favorite author.The author's
name is Wallis Wallace.Dink invited him to the Book Nook and
Wallis accepted it to sign books.All of the kids meet at the Book Nook and Wallis never showed up.Dink thought he was kidnapped because of the letter they got.Its a mystery where and who the Author really was.I think the book is really interesting because
its a mystery book.Also because the kids were acting like detectives.The absent author was suspenseful.It also made me think.I really think that you should buy this because how much intersting stuff is in it.