Week Eight: Cam Jansen

Cam Jansen: The First Day of School Mystery

by David A. Adler

Summary

    Jennifer "Cam" Jansen has a "clicking" photographic memory which helps her solve mysteries. In "Case #22," it is the first day of school, but the bus gets stuck in traffic due to a car wrecked in a tree. The driver is nowhere to be found- Cam sees a mystery to be solved. When she arrives at school, Cam's new teacher is arrested- another mystery for Cam to solve. She "clicks" her way through the clues and solves both mysteries before the bell rings to go home. 

APA References

Adler, D. A. (2002). Cam jansen: The first day of school mystery. New York, NY: Viking. 

My Impressions

    I found Cam Jansen to be a very likable character. From the first page when she calmed a Kindergarten boy and assured him they would, in fact, make it to school, I was rooting for her. She has just enough quirk- "clicking" and taking a mental photograph, thanks to her photographic memory- to make her unique and different from other female characters in simliar books. 

    This language was easy-to-read and appropriate for the intended reading level; and I think it would serve well as a transition into reading chapter books independently. The plot started off strong, and the mystery "set-up" was intriguing. I think the author could have added more suspense or "twists" before Cam solved the mystery. However, I realize for the intended audience the story should not be too complicated or hard to follow. I also liked the added "Memory Game" in the back of the book to exercise children's observation and memory skills. On a side note, I'm always looking for books to recommend to my niece and I will definitely tell her about the Cam Jansen books.   

Professional Review

    Booklist contributor Hazel Rochman describes Adler's Cam Jansen series as "lively" and claims that of the twenty-two in the series (thus far) it is "one of the best" from beginning to end. She predicts it is "sure to draw beginning readers to the pleasure" of the mystery genre. 

Rochman, H. (2001, December 1). Cam jansen and the first day of school mystery [Review of the book Cam jansen: The first day of school mystery]. Booklist. Available from http://www.booklistonline.com/Cam-Jansen-and-the-First-Day-of-School-Mystery-David-A-Adler/pid=1131604

Library Use
   Set up a library investigation, where kids can solve mysteries like Cam Jansen. Place clues throughout children's section that require kids to use observation, memory and reading skills to understand. 

Week Eight: Twisted Summer

Twisted Summer

by Willo Davis Roberts

Summary
    Every summer Cici visits her grandparent's lake house. She spends her vacation with other families around the lake swimming, playing games, and having cookouts. She has known most of the other children as long as she remembers, including Jack who she hope finally sees her as one of the big kids. However, everything has changed, much to Cici's disappointment.
    Cici was away the previous summer and missed the murder one of the neighbors, Zoe. Jack's older brother was accused, found guilty, and is now in jail. Convinced of his innocence, Cici is determined to find the real killer. The suspect list consists of many people she knows well and loves, including her cousin, step-grandfather, and Jack. Cici risks her life and follows a suspect one night, discovering the true identity of Zoe's murderer.  

APA Reference
Roberts, W. D. (1996). Twisted summer. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.  

My Impressions
    When I was a teenager, this was one of my favorite genres- a suspenseful, thriller combined with a coming-of-age story with some romance thrown in. Twisted Summer fit this and added a mystery to be solved; my middle school self would have loved this book. My adult self? Ehh. 
    It was fine; not really good, but not bad either. I liked the story and the set-up for the mystery, and I thought Cici and the other lake residents were believable (though I wish there had been more character development.) My biggest issue was when Cici began her investigation. the decisions she was making did not seem well thought out, which didn't fit with her actions in the first half of the book. The romantic storyline between Cici and Jack was introduced early in the book and it was the driving factor for the first half of the book. However, as the mystery plot developed, I felt the romantic plot was brushed aside.

Review
    Davis Roberts' murder mystery is a "well-crafted, sophisticated story," states Connie Tyrrell Burns of the School Library Journal. Kirkus Reviews refers to Davis Robert as an "old pro" who keeps the pages turning. They also state that multiple "red herrings" keep the reader guessing until the "gripping ending."

Kirkus Reviews. (1996). Twisted Summer [review of the book Twisted Summer]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/willo-davis-roberts/twisted-summer/#review

Library Use
    Twisted Summer would be a good introduction to mystery for middle school students. You can create a murder mystery theater as an added activity.