(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. The four gumshoes try to uncover what Brian and Bradley's new neighbors are building in their backyard (Night); they find a lost puppy and follow clues to locate its owner (Dog); and the kids hope to catch two suspicious people they think are planning a big neighborhood heist (Thieves). New chapter-book readers will enjoy the latest slight holiday-themed mysteries with generous black-and-white illustrations. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: December Dog, New Year's Even Thieves, and November Night.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. The four gumshoes try to uncover what Brian and Bradley's new neighbors are building in their backyard (Night); they find a lost puppy and follow clues to locate its owner (Dog); and the kids hope to catch two suspicious people they think are planning a big neighborhood heist (Thieves). New chapter-book readers will enjoy the latest slight holiday-themed mysteries with generous black-and-white illustrations. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: December Dog, New Year's Even Thieves, and November Night.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. The four gumshoes try to uncover what Brian and Bradley's new neighbors are building in their backyard (Night); they find a lost puppy and follow clues to locate its owner (Dog); and the kids hope to catch two suspicious people they think are planning a big neighborhood heist (Thieves). New chapter-book readers will enjoy the latest slight holiday-themed mysteries with generous black-and-white illustrations. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: December Dog, New Year's Even Thieves, and November Night.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. In July, Brian, Bradley, Nate, and Lucy search for pony Polly and Pal the dog, both of whom disappear before the mayor's pet costume contest. In August, the sleuthing quartet uncovers the identity of a mysterious masked acrobat while helping a traveling circus. Both books' text and black-and-white illustrations have kid appeal, but dialogue and characters are flat. Review covers these Calendar Mysteries titles: July Jitters and August Acrobat.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. In July, Brian, Bradley, Nate, and Lucy search for pony Polly and Pal the dog, both of whom disappear before the mayor's pet costume contest. In August, the sleuthing quartet uncovers the identity of a mysterious masked acrobat while helping a traveling circus. Both books' text and black-and-white illustrations have kid appeal, but dialogue and characters are flat. Review covers these Calendar Mysteries titles: July Jitters and August Acrobat.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. In February, the first grade receives a mysterious rabbit for Valentine's Day; twins Brian and Bradley and friends Nate and Lucy figure out where it came from. March finds them cracking the case of disappearing leprechaun statues. In April, they search for the person--or thing--that stole their Easter eggs. The mysteries are enjoyable but lack depth and character development. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: April Adventures, February Friend, and March Mischief.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. In February, the first grade receives a mysterious rabbit for Valentine's Day; twins Brian and Bradley and friends Nate and Lucy figure out where it came from. March finds them cracking the case of disappearing leprechaun statues. In April, they search for the person--or thing--that stole their Easter eggs. The mysteries are enjoyable but lack depth and character development. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: April Adventures, February Friend, and March Mischief.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. In February, the first grade receives a mysterious rabbit for Valentine's Day; twins Brian and Bradley and friends Nate and Lucy figure out where it came from. March finds them cracking the case of disappearing leprechaun statues. In April, they search for the person--or thing--that stole their Easter eggs. The mysteries are enjoyable but lack depth and character development. Review covers these Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries titles: April Adventures, February Friend, and March Mischief.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Calendar Mysteries series. Illustrated by John Steven Gurney. Twins Bradley and Brian and their friends Nate and Lucy see bright lights and strange tracks in the snow. Then their older siblings, who are supposed to be babysitting, go missing. Have aliens abducted them? In a series of comical episodes, the four first graders unravel the mystery. Though the characters are cardboard, the story is entertaining.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley