Horn Book Review
Created by Gertrude Chandler Warner. The Alden children solve two new mysteries. In Spy they attend a baseball championship series and discover who is stealing the pitcher's signals. In Superstar they figure out that a talent search for a dog food commercial is rigged in favor of the owner's pet. Both mysteries are simplistic and predictable but may appeal to die-hard fans of the original series. [Review covers these Boxcar Children Mysteries titles: The Spy in the Bleachers and Superstar Watch.] Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
When siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny attend a baseball game at Cogswheel Stadium, they discover that someone is stealing the catcher's signs and alerting the batter. Over several days, they keep their eyes on three shady suspects: an enthusiastic fan in the bleachers, a seemingly friendly hot-dog vendor, and Wheelie the mascot. Don't look for character development in this beginning chapter-book mystery, but readers new to the genre will find it helpful when Jessie pulls out her notebook and writes down the clues. Attractive shaded-pencil drawings underscore the old-fashioned charm of the venerable Boxcar Children Mystery series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
