The Bald Bandit

January 1, 1998
Gr 2-4-Third graders Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are getting ready for Halloween when they are approached by a man claiming to be a private detective. He enlists their help in recovering the videotape of a bank robbery. The bandit is described as a tall, red-haired high school boy. The three friends search for information as they go trick-or-treating and locate Lucky O'Leary, who fits the profile, but claims to be innocent. In fact, the robber on the video bears a striking resemblance to the supposed detective. Second in the series, this short, snappy Halloween story is full of funny incidents. The black-and-white drawings add to the fun. A good early chapter book that will be equally useful with remedial readers.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

January 1, 1997
Offered a reward for tracking down the redheaded high school student who caught a local robbery on videotape, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose eagerly scour their neighborhood for carrot-topped teens. The third graders have little luck playing detective--until Dink's Halloween hairdo inspires a visit to the local barber. Young mystery buffs will enjoy the amateur sleuths' antics despite the book's predictable turns.

(Copyright 1997 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)