Early/Easy Reader

 


King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats by Dori Hillestad Butler (author) and Nancy Meyers (illustrator). Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 2017.

Summary: This book is part of a series that follows a girl (Kayla) and her dog (King) as they solve mysteries. In this particular story (narrated by King), they must determine who stole the dog treats Kayla made. King, initially a suspect, senses an intruder and follows the clues to the culprit.

Awards: 2018 Geisel Award Honor Book

Target Audience: Ages 7-9

Strengths: Very emotive and relatable expressions on the character's faces; fun to hear the story from the dog's perspective; chapter titles prepare reader for content; mystery easy to follow so young readers can piece together clues along with the characters

Weaknesses: Honestly could not find a weakness with this book

Meaningful/Creative Uses: This book would be great for teaching kids in first and second grades about mysteries, deduction, and interpreting clues. Teachers could also have children practice writing stories from their own pets' perspectives or from other unlikely narrators. 

Read-alikes

King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code by Dori Hillestad Butler (author) and Nancy Meyers (illustrator). Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 2017.

Another book in the same series, the Case of the Secret Code seems an obvious choice for a read-alike. It follows familiar characters, King and Kayla, as they decipher a code in a mysterious letter. Readers will enjoy following along with this lovable, crime-solving duo. For ages 7-9.


The Case of the Lost Boy (The Buddy Files) by Dori Hillestad Butler (author) and Jeremy Tugeau (illustrator). Park Ridge, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 2010.

This book begins an earlier mystery series by the same author as the King & Kayla series. It also tells the story from the dog, Buddy's, perspective, and was the 2011 winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery. For ages 7-10.


Who Stole Mr. T? (Leila and Nugget Mystery) by by Deserae Brady and Dustin Brady. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017.

Okay, admittedly, I was reluctant to include this book as a read-alike since it appears to be self-published, but it is another easy/early reader mystery series about a girl and her dog so I felt compelled to include it here. Ages 7-9.



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