#31 - Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery

#31        

Title:  Trixie Belden and the Gatehouse Mystery

Author:    Julie Campbell

Genre:  Kid

Category:  Fiction

Rating:  A

Published:  1951

Dates:  6/22/16 – 6/28/16

In this episode of the series, Trixie’s brothers, Mart and Brian, arrive home from camp in time to get in on the latest mystery of what Trixie and Honey found in the old gatehouse on the Wheeler property.  In the process of unraveling the case, the five teenagers decide to form a club called Bob-Whites of the Glen based upon the bob-white whistle they give whenever they need to signal one another.  As a result, an even stronger bound is formed among the brothers and sisters.  And the culprit is caught in the act of trying to reacquire what he stole in the first place.  Besides lots of detective work, they ride, swim, eat and just have a bunch of fun as they get to know each other better.

#30 - Yes Please - Amy Poehler

#30

Title:  Yes Please

Author & Reader:   Amy Poehler

Genre:  Memoir

Category:  Non-Fiction 792.7028

Rating:  B+

Published:  2014

CDs/hours:  7/7.5

Dates:  6/16/16 - 6/28/16

Amy Poehler, author, director, and jack-of-all trades in the world of comedy, narrates her memoir, Yes Please.  Wildly funny, down-to-earth and to-the-point Amy shows all aspects of herself to her audience of readers and listeners.  Yes Please is a finalist for the Prose Bowl.  I’m not sure if this has happened yet or not for Amy.  Even Googling the subject gives us spotty information about who the other finalists are or were.  Oh, well.  Prose Bowl Finalist is a category for the Sno-Isle Library System’s 16 in ’16 Reading Resolutions Challenge.  And I’m continuing to plod through the categories.  I did like this book and learned more about Amy who really is a new find for me. 

#29 - Trixie Belden and the Red Trailer Mystery - Julie Campbell

#29

Title:  Trixie Belden and the Red Trailer Mystery

Author:   Julie Campbell

Genre:  Kid Fiction

Rating:  B

Published:  1950

Dates:  6/16/16 – 6/21/16

Once upon a time Julie Campbell had this wonderful idea of a series of books starring Trixie Belden.  And what a wholesome inspiration it was.  So much so that a young lady began a website devoted to the series, challenging other young people to join, to enjoy and use their gifts of writing and story-telling.  As a result, fan fic with Trixie and the Bob-Whites have added a brand new dimension to the series about our favorite sleuth.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  The Red Trailer Mystery is only the second in the series and we haven’t met all of the characters yet.

In this book that I’m re-reading, Trixie and Honey together with Miss Trask, their chauffeur go off to find Jim, the runaway from book one.  We met them all in the beginning.  Their personalities are blooming and growing and their repertoire for helping others less fortunate is an inspiration.  Not only do we find Trixie and Honey in hot pursuit of Jim but also of a band of trailer thieves.  Again, the story line is so natural, never contrived and you are there with them, horseback riding to summer camps where Jim may have applied for work, or swimming with some campers, one of which is Honey’s cousin, Ben, who we’ll meet under different circumstances in another book.

Obstacles are always in the way, it seems.  Honey’s spaniel puppy, Bud, goes missing, Miss Trask burns her hand and cannot drive and Mrs. Smith’s locket disappears.  Despite all the ups and downs, Trixie and Honey prevail.  Read, listen to on CD or download to another listening device and enjoy finding out how this book plays out.