You're the Detective!: Twenty-Four Solve-Them-Yourself Picture Mysteries [Paperback]

Lawrence Treat (Author), Kathleen Borowik (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004 | Series: Solve Them Yourself

With applause for Crime and Puzzlement 1 and 2 still ringing in his ears, Lawrence Treat has conjured up yet another devilishly delightful collection of picture mysteries - this time for young readers.

The clues are in the picture; it's up to you, the young detective, to size up the situation and solve the mystery.

Who stole the jade horse from under Jenny Jackalanda's nose? What did Cheri's mysterious letter really say? Who took Minnie Rahrah's diamond necklace? You find out!

Product Details

• Paperback: 77 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879234784
• ISBN-13: 978-0879234782
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love this book!, September 17, 2007

By 

Serenity (Northeast USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: You're the Detective!: Twenty-Four Solve-Them-Yourself Picture Mysteries (Paperback)

My 7 and 8 year old kids had a blast going through these short "mysteries" to solve a crime! The mysteries were a bit challenging, but at the same time not so hard as to frustrate the kids.

As for me, I liked that the reader has to study the picture for each scenario and answer questions at the end for hints to the solution.

Just a note though: When my 8 year old daughter first picked up the book, she put it down shortly after because she didn't understand the style. I had to read through the first scenario and follow-up questions to see what it was all about. But once I explained to her that it is a crime scene of sorts with clues in the picture, and that the questions will help her solve the mystery, she was off & running on her own.

I didn't read through all the scenarios, but the ones I read were a bit silly, with odd details that didn't seem to matter. At first I thought, from an adult perspective, why did they include something like that? But then I realized that is part of the benefit - teaching kids to disregard facts that are not important and focus on the relevant details.

I wish there were more mysteries in each book. And it would be nice if the mysteries were a bit longer or more challenging as they go through the book, maybe even using ideas learned in earlier mysteries. (Each scenario is 1 page including questions, with a picture on the facing page, and my daughter finished the book in about 1 hour).

Even so I will be looking for more of these.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classroom Library Must, January 3, 2009

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J. E. Stephens "Jeanne" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: You're the Detective!: Twenty-Four Solve-Them-Yourself Picture Mysteries (Paperback)

I bought this for my 6th grade classroom library. It is perfect for sustained silent reading. I have the students read every day for the first few minutes of class. The students can read one mystery and use critical thinking skills and other comprehension skill to solve the mystery.

This is a must have for classroom libraries grades 3-7.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun book, April 16, 2009

By 

Faith - See all my reviews

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This review is from: You're the Detective!: Twenty-Four Solve-Them-Yourself Picture Mysteries (Paperback)

I bought this for my husband since he loves Who Done It shows and mysteries, etc. So I thought he would enjoy this book and he does. He says it is fun and he is enjoying it alot. So if you love a good mystery or Who Done It, then this would be fun for you or to give as a gift to someone you know.