Bagels on Board

September 21, 2015
On the heels of
and
comes the late Stuchner’s third and final outing starring the Bernstein family and their pet dog, Bagels. After the Bernsteins win a free cruise thanks to their love of baked beans, siblings Josh (who narrates) and Becky find themselves caught up in a mystery that involves missing sausages, secret envelopes, and several suspicious-looking people on the cruise ship. Luckily, Bagels—a “wild combination” of sheltie, whippet, and Jack Russell terrier—sneaks on board to lend his own brand of help. Sharp, pithy dialogue and a playfully hyped-up sense of suspense, as Josh and Becky try to keep Bagels’ presence a secret and keep tabs on the potential spies on the ship, make for a quick, funny mystery that’s full of beans in more ways than one. Ages 7–9.

November 1, 2015

Gr 1-3-In this slim chapter book interspersed with black-and-white illustrations, readers meet Josh Bernstein and his family. In addition to his parents and his sister, Becky, Josh has a dog named Bagel, a cat named Creamcheese, and a fish named Lox. In this title, Josh and his family have won a cruise with "Betsy Brown's Baked Beans." These canned beans are in tomato sauce, and this family loves them served over a bagel. The problem: Bagel doesn't want to be left behind while the family is on the cruise. The crafty canine manages to escape from Aunt Sharon, the pet sitter, and joins the family on the ship. Only Josh and Becky know Bagel is on board, and they manage to keep it a secret for several days. There is also a minor secondary story line: a mystery in which Josh and Becky try to figure out what a mysterious lady, whom they've nicknamed Red, is trying to hide from two suspicious men. Newly independent readers should find the text relatively easy to read, and the plot is simple, if a tad predictable. VERDICT With a thin plot, broad characterizations, and goofy humor, this chapter book series will be most appreciated by readers looking to strengthen comprehension but who are perhaps not quite ready for longer or more complex chapter books.-Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

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