Gifts for Young Sleuths
by Roberta Rogow
April 5th, 2008
Birthdays, graduations, holidays — there are many occasions calling for gifts for the young mystery reader. Here are a few suggestions, currently on the shelves of your favorite bookstore:
Some of our favorite paperback series for children are available in boxed sets. James Preller’s Jigsaw Jones series is already on the scene, with books #1 through 5 in a handsome slipcase (Scholastic, $19.95).
And the beloved Boxcar Children Mysteries by Gertrude Chandler Warner, are being re-packaged in 3-in-1 omnibus paperbacks. Summer Special (The Mystery at the Ball Park, The Mystery of the Hidden Beach, The Summer Camp Mystery) and Winter Adventures (The Mystery at Snowflake Inn, The Mystery in the Snow, The Mystery on Blizzard Mountain) are already available, and just out is Spring Break Special (The Mystery in the Mall, The Mystery Cruise, The Black Pearl Mystery). These 3-in-1 collections are published by Alfred Whitman at $7.95 each.
Another old favorite, the Hardy Boys series, has been re-framed for today’s kids: The dauntless Frank and Joe are now undercover agents for ATAC (American Teens Against Crime). The first four books of the new series — Extreme Danger, Running on Fumes, Boardwalk Bust, and Thrill Ride — have been put into a slipcase as The Hardy Boys Spy Set (Aladdin, $19.95). New adventures continue to come out under the nom de plume of Franklin W. Dixon.
Interest in Nancy Drew has been escalating, particularly after the recent movie and the various new formats for paperback books. Now a young lady can get The Nancy Drew Pocketbook Mysteries: the first two of the original Nancy Drew hardcovers in a handsome carrying-case, cardboard overlaid with leatherette binding and canvas handles. (Simon and Schuster, $19.95)
For someone old or young who can’t get enough of the teenaged sleuth, there’s The Lost Files of Nancy Drew (Simon and Schuster, $19.95, 2007), a compendium of Nancy Drew lore in a album format, that contains everything you ever wanted to know about Nancy Drew, beginning with her very first cases in the 1930′s. Using illustrations from the original books, pull-out items, and other oddments, Nancy’s life and times are revealed. There are pictures of her friends and some of her opponents and scenes from the books. A final chapter explains how the books came to be written, some of the history of the Stratemeyer syndicate, and where Nancy is headed as she continues into the Twenty-First Century.
For the youngster who wants to put some of the stuff he or she is reading into practice, Christ Oxlade has put together a Detective Tool Kit (Running Press, $24,95, 2007). The shrink-wrapped box contains everything a young detective might need as he or she pursues the suspects: a magnifying glass, clue containers, fingerprint pad and paper, etc. The enclosed manual explains how all this equipment is used by working detectives.
Crime Scene Detective: Whodunit and How We Know Kit (DK Children, $15.99, 2007). Four crimes are examined carefully, with photos, facsimile notes of interviews, etc. A magnifying glass and fingerprint pad are included, but the real value in this kit is in the book that follows the police investigation step by step, as they solve cases of arson, forgery, theft and murder.
Roberta Rogow, the author of four mysteries, has been a Children’s Librarian since 1971 and has reviewed for School Library Journal and VOYA. She reviews mysteries for children and young adults in every issue of Mystery Scene.
As a former children’s librarian myself, it’s nice to see that many of the classic mystery books that I introduced to children are being reissued.
Jacqueline Seewald
THE INFERNO COLLECTION, Five Star/Gale
Jacqueline,
Librarians like you put me on the path to Mystery Scene!
Brian and I were talking about some of our favorite mysteries when we were kids. We both liked the Encyclopedia Brown books but he absolutely loved the Brains Benton series of the late 50s and early 60s. Here’s a website about the series: http://www.townofautumn.com/brainsbenton/
Brains Benton! Yes.
The Benton and Carson Detective agency was Brains Benton (?X’), and Jimmy Carson (?Operative 3?). Their headquarters was in the Benton family garage, complete with secret entrance and a phototelectric cell to detect intruders.
The books were witty, clever, and suspenseful in the same way the Holmes stories are. There are only 6 in the series.
Kate and Brian,
I shared Encyclopedia Brown books with my own children and with my students. Without exception, the books were enjoyed and appreciated. I’m not familiar with Brains Bention I’m sorry to say, but I’ll check out the site.
Children do love mystery stories.
My oldest granddaughter is three and a half. Each time we visit I present her with a new book and read it to her. She loves it. I’ll start her on mysteries in a few years.
Jacqueline Seewald
THE INFERNO COLLECTION, Five Star/Gale
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