Treasure In the Graveyard

June 1, 2012
Introducing Echo and his mystery-solving Bat Pack! Echo the bat grew up in a library and lives in the Fogville cemetery, where it's usually quiet. He likes quiet because he writes mysteries. Then a mysterious, skull-faced stranger in a black cloak arrives in the middle of the night. He seems to be searching for something. When his raven sidekick discovers Echo watching, a scary chase ensues. Thankfully, the Silver kids, Becca, Michael and Tyler, are still awake, and they rescue Echo. A series of break-ins in the days that follow prompts neighbors to tell tales of a spooky flying monster in a cloak. Can it be the stranger from the graveyard? Echo and his new friends (and the ghost of Captain Trafalgar) work to discover the truth (and maybe a treasure). Italian children's author and teacher Pavanello's Bat Pack series debuts in America with this first of four not-too-frightening tales of mystery and monsters. A few odd attempts at colloquialism stick out in the translation, but the language is simple enough for those just graduating from easy readers. Pisapia and Brughera's bright, cartoon illustrations are a plus (though, strangely, the Silver siblings look nothing alike). Scooby Doo as a bat for the chapter-book crowd. (Mystery. 6-9)

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August 1, 2012

Gr 2-3-In these easy chapter books, Echo is a mystery-solving bat that grew up in a library. His young human sidekicks are Becca, Michael, and Tyler, aka the Bat Pack. In King Tut, he thinks that he spies a mummy chasing them on a trip back from the lake. He alerts the children, but they don't see it and chalk it up to Echo's tired eyes. When they read an article about an Egyptian exhibit coming to the museum, they joke with Echo about the mummy. They really are chased by it, and the kids and Echo must use their wits to get to the bottom of the mystery and thwart a theft. This is an entertaining introduction to ancient Egypt that could spur young readers to find nonfiction or additional tales related to this era. In Graveyard, Echo is minding his own business in the Fogville cemetery when he discovers a mysterious hooded figure digging for a buried treasure. He enlists the help of his Bat Pack to figure out just what the man is up to, and they make some startling discoveries. A nosy raven is in cahoots with the hooded man. They also meet up with a ghostly sailor who helps them out in the end. Full-color cartoon illustrations appear throughout both books and complement the texts. Discussion questions and writing prompts are also included.-Julie Shatterly, W.A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC

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