Publisher: Aladdin
Published: September 8th, 2026
Format Read: Paperback
Number of pages: 288 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
I was an avid Nancy Drew reader when I was younger and even dipped into a few Hardy Boys books. I loved the thrill of the mysteries, following clues, a few red-herrings, piecing things together, and trying to deduce the culprit. It's probably also why I adored Scooby Doo.
This latest collection brings three chapter-book mysteries in one volume. In the Bad Luck Skate, 9-year-old Frank and his younger brother Joe are at a championship hockey game cheering on their friend Pete when the team's lucky skate is vandalized with paint. The team always touches the skate before each game for good luck, and now they're convinced that the damage is a sign that they're doomed to lose the game.
The second story, The Pirate Ghost, follows Frank and Joe's friend, Jason who enters a talk like a pirate contest. He wins a treasure map as his prize but before the brothers can go searching for the treasure, Jason abruptly cancels the dig. Jason is spooked by the legend of ghost Captain Scurvydog, and even more concerned when his bird Crackers starts singing a pirate song, and he receives a mysterious note in a bottle and pirate coins.
In the final story, The Great Pumpkin Smash, Frank and Joe attend the annual Boo at the Zoo celebration, only to discover that every pumpkin in the decorating contest, except one, has been smashed. The brothers jump into action to figure out what happened.
Each story centers on a single puzzling incident and follows the boys as they work to uncover the truth. Joe keeps a clue book where he answers the five W's, who, what, where, when and why and the brothers build suspect lists, gather evidence, and avoid making assumptions. At the end of each mystery there is a section with a series of questions for the reader to answer about the suspects, motives or which clue would help solve the case before the final solution is revealed. I love that kids are encouraged to think critically and actively participate in solving the case.
The stories are engaging and will definitely appeal to younger readers. The black and white illustrations are charming and help set a cozy fall mood. With short chapters and around eighty pages per story, this collection makes a fun read-together experience, and a great introduction to the Hardy Boys series.
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
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