Early Chapter Book Review: Milo & Jazz Mysteries #8 and #9 by Lewis B. Montgomery

THE CASE OF THE DIAMONDS IN THE DESK
The Milo & Jazz Mysteries #8
by Lewis B. Montgomery, illustrated by Amy Wummer
Kane Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-57565-391-4
Primary Mystery
Grades 2-4
Book provided by publisher in return for an honest review.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A jewelry store is robbed. A diamond necklace mysteriously shows up in Milos desk at school. The connection is crystal clear . . . isn't it? Detective duo Milo and Jazz tackle their eighth case in this exciting mystery!

THE CASE OF THE CROOKED CAMPAIGN
The Milo & Jazz Mysteries #9
by Lewis B. Montgomery, illustrated by Amy Wummer
Kane Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-57565-436-2
Primary Mystery
Grades 2-4
Book provided by publisher in return for an honest review.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Campaign mania hits Westview when Jazz decides to run for school president. But is someone stealing all her best ideas? And how? Milo and Jazz must solve the mysterybefore Election Day! (Super Sleuthing Skills: Observe, Think Logically, Draw Conclusions, Relevant/Irrelevant Information)

REVIEW

There are several things that I love about this series.  First, they are well-written and easy to read, perfect for early readers.  Second, the mysteries are believable and interesting. So many mystery series start to sound the same after a while, but each of these books is unique and fun.  Plus each book focuses on a different skill that is useful in detecting.  For example, in Diamonds in the Desk, Milo and Jazz practice the skill of working backward, starting with an end result and working back to the cause or circumstances that created that end result.  In Crooked Campaign, Milo and Jazz learn about red herrings, things/clues that seem related to the mystery but really have nothing to do with it. I also like the fact that real life goes on while the kids are trying to figure things out.  Friend issues, school council campaigns, etc.  Also, at the end of each book are some fun logic puzzles for readers to figure out. This is a great series for early readers who enjoy a good mystery.