The Case of the Berry Burglars
The Case of the Berry Burglars
“Were you guys at the school garden?” Jordan stayed focused on his coloring. “I heard that some animals ate all the plants.”
Mr. Harpel sighed. “Gardeners are always trying to protect their crops from hungry critters.”
He waved for us to join him for our morning meeting. I put my backpack on my table and moved to the carpet. It had yellow and red circles. I sat in the yellow circle closest to my table.
“We don’t think it was animals.” I said.
“We think there’s a mystery.” Hajrah hopped over, making frog noises.” And we’re going to solve it!”
“I have no doubt you will crack this case, detectives,” Mr. Harpel said. “But why don’t you think it was just a raccoon or skunk digging for food?”
Myron and Hajrah are two elementary students who also happen to be amateur detectives. Best friends as well as partners in crime solving, the two of them come across mysteries wherever they go. In this latest mystery, they must figure out why the strawberry plants are disappearing from the school garden.
In some ways, this story inspires young readers to believe in themselves, even when adults do not believe in them. Myron and Hajrah are often questioned and brushed aside by adults in their lives who do not trust them to solve the mystery. However, Mr. Harpel, their principal, believes in them, and the two young detectives are able to work on the case.
The Case of the Berry Burglars is a great beginning-to-read chapter book for those who have graduated from basal readers and are reading independently. With the text presented in short sentences and lots of dialogue, the action is fast-paced and easy to follow, even for reluctant readers and those who have not yet developed a love for reading. Readers can really chase the clues and get closer to solving the mystery of the missing strawberry plants, themselves. The black and white illustrations throughout the novel bring out the words visually and create a clear image for readers. They also provide some added clues to help readers keep track of the important evidence.
Alicia Cheng is a librarian at the Vancouver Public Library in Vancouver, British Columbia.