By David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers (illustrator)
Random House Books for Young Readers, $4.99, 112 pages
Cousins Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins go to Los Angeles for spring break with Kate’s father, a scout for the L.A. Dodgers. While leaving the airport, they discover Kate’s notebook is missing. The children find out Kate’s dad is having problems. Someone broke into his car, email at the Dodgers’ offices has been hacked, pages were taken from his clipboard and he’s had strange phone calls. He thinks he’s being followed by someone after his scouting reports. He worries he’ll lose his job if reports are stolen.
Kate and Mike enjoy visiting places like Griffin Park and the La Brea Tar Pits, but notice someone who seems to be wherever they go. They believe he has been causing all the trouble. Can they trap their suspect and save the day?
“Over the past month, strange things have been happening to me and other Dodger employees. Someone stole a few of my old scouting reports. My car was broken into two weeks ago. And sometimes I feel as if I’m being followed.”
David Kelly has written a book young boys and girls will enjoy. The characters are fresh, smart and authentic. The mystery is tense, but not too scary or graphic for kids ages 6 to 9. The book is full of interesting facts, so kids are learning, even if they don’t mean to. Best of all, there are four books about Mike and Kate, so youngsters will have more to read.
Reviewed by Rosi Hollinbeck
