Hero Dog! (Hilde Cracks the Case #1)

by Hilde Lysiak (Author) Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Illustrator)

Hero Dog! (Hilde Cracks the Case #1)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Real-life super-sleuth and media sensation Hilde Lysiak's reporting skills are put to the test in this fun early chapter book mystery series!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series -- inspired by news stories Hilde wrote in real life! In this first book, there's been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes have been stolen, and soon a pie goes missing, too. Hilde and her sister/photographer, Izzy, must interview witnesses and follow the clues. Can Hilde crack the case in time to post her news story online? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff's personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde's adventures to life for young readers!

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Kirkus

Entertaining and fast-paced. 

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--The Annual Bake-Off Bonanza is ready to commence, but desserts are disappearing! Mrs. Hooper's cupcakes were stolen from her kitchen table, Mr. Macintosh's fresh eggs for his cheesecake were nabbed, and Mrs. Taggert's cherry crumb pie was swiped as it cooled on the windowsill. Could the thief be one of the contestants vying for first prize, a mischievous teenager, or the neighborhood dog with a sweet tooth? The case will not remain unsolved for long when Orange Street News investigator, nine-year-old Hilde, catches wind of the story. Inspired by the real Hilde Lysiak who started her own newspaper and does plenty of sleuthing herself, this mystery series is sure to win over readers diving into beginning chapter books. Like other titles in the "Branches" line, pictures and text work together to tell the story. Fast-paced action helps maintain budding readers' attention. Pages from Hilde's notebook introduce new vocabulary and model questioning. The right amount of support and repetition is given for students transitioning into a more independent phase of reading, and many will find themselves working to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. Teachers will appreciate using this series to teach questioning words. However, those looking for a beginning chapter book series featuring a more diverse cast of characters may want to consider the "Lark Ba Detective" series. VERDICT A solid addition to most chapter book collections, especially where there are mystery fans.--Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for Branches books:

A nice stepping stone to more advanced chapter books. — Booklist

Hilde Lysiak
Matthew Lysiak is a nationally recognized journalist and author. He has reported for the New York Daily News, Newsweek, the New York Sun, AM New York, and the Guardian. He has also appeared as a contributor on The Today Show, MSNBC, and countless other media outlets to discuss his work. He coauthored the young adult memoir of teen scientist Jack Andraka, Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World, and was the author of Newtown: An American Tragedy. Matthew is cowriting the Branches early chapter book series Hilde Cracks the Case with his daughter, Hilde Kate Lysiak.
Hilde Lysiak is the 11-year-old publisher of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania's newspaper, the Orange Street News. The paper has 700+ paid subscribers and is read by thousands more online. Hilde's journalism efforts have been profiled by the New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, NBC Today, and hundreds of other newspapers and television stations around the world. Hilde is cowriting the Scholastic Branches series Hilde Cracks the Case with her dad, Matthew Lysiak.
JOANNE LEW-VRIETHOFF is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, named among School Library Journal's 2016 Books with a Message. She is a Mom's Choice Gold Award medal winner whose illustrations can be found in The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli and Peace, Baby! by Linda Ashman. Joanne also is the illustrator of the Hilde Cracks the Case series by Hilde Lysiak. She lives in Amsterdam with her husband and two children.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338141559
Lexile Measure
510
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Publication date
September 12, 2017
Series
Hilde Cracks the Case
BISAC categories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
Library of Congress categories
Dogs
Theft
Stealing
Mystery and detective stories
Reporters and reporting

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