The Absent Author (A to Z Mysteries)

Rating:
Summary: The Absent Author by Jade, Geneva NY
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The best mystery
Review: I gave this book five stars because it was a mystery book that the kids are looking for a absent author. They thik she is a boy. I like it that way because you really do not know what is happening so you are wondering were the absent author is. Then once you now some clues you could find the author.

Rating:
Summary: Big thumbs up from Mom...
Review: I think this is a good book because they are like regular kids bumping into all sorts of mysteries. The story all starts when Dink.............

sends a letter to Wallis Wallus and Wallis Wallus writes back saying "yes I will come to the Book Nook(libary). But when all the kids from all over town come to the Book Nook to see Wallis Wallus the only person that is't there is Wallis Wallus.Then all the kids get restless and then all the kids leave saying what they would have done if they went to this and Dink, Ruth Rose and Josh found Wallis Wallus' itinerary. Then they head out. Then Mavis Green comes into the story and she has a letter from Wallis Wallus also.Then Dink, Josh, Ruth Rose and Mavis Green are on a mission. Their 1st, 2nd and so on trips are to places all over the city, and last but not least they found Wallis Wallus and the mystery is solved.

I think this is a great mystery book!

Rating:
Summary: Creative, Clean, Cute, and Cunning
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Charming and clever
Review: My five year old nephew is reading these A-Z mysteries - if you can believe that. He isn't a genius, but he's remarkably precocious for his age. I was asked to read books in this series because my brother requested that I write a book for my nephew for Christmas 2005. Frankly, the thought terrified me, as I've only written for older children and very mature, topical adult non-fiction.

Reading this book brought me back to the delightful days of Encyclopedia Brown. As I've never been the most clever person in the world (another reason to be terrified to write a book like this - I'm not sure I could craft a credible mystery), I rarely figured things out before Encyclopedia Brown did.

None of these children have the mental acuity that Brown did, but they all possess one indispensable character trait: perseverance.

The story is well told, well illustrated, and fairly flawless in its execution. A famous author is invited to come to town for a book signing, but doesn't show up. As Dink, the central character in this story, received a letter from the author stating that "Short of being kidnapped, nothing will keep me from coming!", he is immediately suspicious - as all children would be - that the author was kidnapped. Within that letter is the first clue, and I'm embarassed to say that I missed it. In fact, I missed every single clue - although in my defense, I really wasn't trying to puzzle anything out. (That may be an excuse...)

Ron Roy did a very good job of providing just the right amount of clues, the right amount of intrigue, and he peppered the story with characters that would be intriguing to children. I say - bravo! Job well done.

Rating:
Summary: Big thumbs up from Mom...
Review: 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!