How Can I Be a Detective If I Have to Baby-Sit? [Paperback]

Linda Bailey (Author), Christy Grant (Editor), Pat Cupples (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1996 | Age Level: 9 and up

Stevie and her partner, Jessie, go to a tree-planting camp for the summer with hopes of finding exciting detective work, only to end up baby-sitting, but when the baby's house is ransacked, the mystery-solving duo eagerly begins the search for clues. Simultaneous.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Twelve-year old detective Stevie Diamond and her partner Jesse Kulniki take off for a wilderness vacation at Stevie's father's tree-planting camp in the mountains of British Columbia. Little do they know they will be wrangled into taking care of Alexander, the five-year- old son of the camp's head cook. Baby-sitting is Stevie's least favorite occupation, but she becomes more interested in the job when she learns about Rubberface Ragnall, a smuggler who has ransacked the trailer in which Alexander lives. It seems that the child's mother unknowingly rented their Vancouver house to this unsavory character and has been regretting it ever since. Now, he's followed them to this remote spot, but no one knows what he's looking for. False leads and mistaken identities add to the fun of racing around the mountainous terrain; there's also some discussion of environmental concerns interspersed in the conversations. The character development of enterprising Stevie and precocious Alexander is predictable, and the supporting cast is definitely flat. However, the nimble plot development and integration of the unique setting into the story line make this Canadian import, the second "Stevie Diamond Mystery," a cut above most detective series for this age group.?Linda Wicher, Highland Park Public Library, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Bailey's second Stevie Diamond mystery finds the preteen sleuth and her tenderfoot partner, Jesse, joining Stevie's father at his tree-planting camp in the mountains of British Columbia. They're looking forward to hiking, fishing, and missing a week of school, but they soon learn they'll be spending most of their time baby-sitting for Alexander, the camp cook's hyperactive five-year-old son. Stevie's dismay turns to excitement, though, when strange things begin occurring, and it appears that Alexander and his mother are entangled in the mystery. Of course, Stevie and Jesse eventually manage to trap the culprits, but not before they misread important clues, give themselves away, and narrowly escape capture several times. Middle-school mystery fans will enjoy Bailey's entertaining story: clues are nicely placed, the plot unfolds at a brisk pace, and Stevie is an engaging heroine who botches things up believably. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807534056
• ISBN-13: 978-0807534052
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,075,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, November 7, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: How Can I Be a Detective If I Have to Baby-Sit? (A Stevie Diamond Mystery) (Paperback)

This was a great book, especially the way the characters use everyday language. When Stevie Diamond, an amateur detective and her partner Jesse Kulniki go on vacation to Stevie's father's tree planting camp, they get a job baby-sitting 5-year-old Alexander Creely, who has a ton of energy. Baby-sitting is Stevie's least favorite thing, and, as it turns out, especially this kind of kid. However, they soon stumble upon a mystery, which spices things up. Who is the mysterious "Rubberface" Ragnall? Why doesn't Jake respond to his name? And what is the truth behind the mysterious Mountain Man? Read the book for the answers to these questions and many more. Well, I've got to go and re-read the book now!

By the way, this review was written by a kid, not by an adult noticing how much his or her kid loved this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars it's a great book!!, August 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: How Can I Be a Detective If I Have to Baby-Sit? (Stevie Diamond Mysteries) (Hardcover)

i love the stevie diamond mysteries!! they're all such great mysterie novels..!! and with stevie's sense of humor, it'll keep you laughing all the way through..! if you're looking for a good mystery and some laughter, than this is certainly the book for you!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Can I Be A Detective If I Have To Baby-sit?, November 9, 2004

By 

Jen (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Can I Be a Detective If I Have to Baby-Sit? (A Stevie Diamond Mystery) (Paperback)

If you havn't read how can I be a detective if I have to baby-sit? By Linda Bailey your missing out on way too much! Stevie Diamond, age 12, female detective and Jesse Kulniki, age 12, male detective are going camping with Stevies Dad at the tree farm he works at. Stevie and Jesse havn't solved a mystery for a long time but they're determined they're going to find one and solve it. But when they get out of the vehicle there's a little kid running around. Stevie and Jesse have to baby-sit him. How are they going to solve a mystery? Want to find out? All you have to do is read How Can I Be A Detective If I Have To Baby-sit?