The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean [Paperback]

Alexander McCall Smith (Author), Laura Rankin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Harriet Bean

When Harriet discovers that she has yet another lost aunt--a cowgirl named Formica--she jumps at the chance to join her two detective aunts on a visit. Aunt Formica's ranch is being plagued by devious cattle rustlers, and she needs Harriet's help to track down the bandits and save the ranch. But the Wild West carries dangers all its own …
 
From bestselling novelist Alexander McCall Smith comes a charming new mystery that will keep young readers guessing--and laughing--from the first clue to the last.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—In this third title about the nine-year-old detective, Harriet Bean heads to America with Aunts Thessalonika and Japonica to help previously unknown Aunt Formica. Heading west, they reach her ranch in time to trail some cattle rustlers. As expected from this author, the story is a romp of quirky personalities and unlikely situations. Sticklers for realism may not see the humor, but the book should appeal to those who appreciate a light touch and fun language. Rankin's black-and-white full-page illustrations reflect the comic tone.—Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith has written more than fifty books, including the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency mysteries, The Sunday Philosophy Club series, and many children's stories. A professor of medical law at Edinburgh University, he was born in what is now Zimbabwe and currently lives in Scotland. Visit him at www.alexandermccallsmith.com.
 
Laura Rankin is the illustrator of Rabbit Ears, Swan Harbor, and The Handmade Alphabet. She lives in York Beach, Maine.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599900556
• ISBN-13: 978-1599900551
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Obsessions > Wild West

More About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith was born in what is now Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana. He is now Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. He has written more than fifty books, including a number of specialist titles, but is best known for The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, which has achieved bestseller status on four continents. In 2004 he was awarded British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He lives in Scotland, where in his spare time he is a bassoonist in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading mystery a treat., December 9, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean (Hardcover)

Harriet loves a good mystery, and together she and her aunts are always interested in a new case, so when she discovers lost cowgirl aunt named Formica, she already envisions an addition to their detective force. But cattle rustlers are Aunt Formica's problem - and it may take the entire team to solve the problem. A little under a hundred pages of action paired with black and white drawing by Laura Rankin make this easy reading mystery a treat.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love these books, December 30, 2009

By 

L. Bowen (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean (Hardcover)

We have the whole series of three Harriet Bean books from A. McCall Smith. THey are very well written interesting stories, good to read alone of read-aloud for the whole family. Interesting and intelligent books for kids.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, August 11, 2010

By 

Karen Lovejoy "Karen D Lovejoy" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean (Paperback)

Of the three Harriet Bean books that I purchased for my grandchildren, this is the weakest tale. However, it was written in the charming style of Alexander McCall Smith and I highly recommend it for young readers.