The Boxcar Children: The Pizza Mystery (Time to Read, Level 2)

K-Gr 2--This "Time to Read" Level 2 title finds the four Alden children--Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny--on their way home from a trip with their grandfather. Upon stopping for a meal at Piccolos' Pizza, they find that nothing is the same. The pizza oven is broken, the helper has called in sick, and a man in charge of the huge factory next door won't even allow his workers to eat there. The business may have to close down if something isn't done soon. The Aldens quickly decide to help their friends keep the pizza parlor from shutting its doors forever. They pitch in by scheduling oven repairs, baking small pizzas in the Piccolo family's personal oven, and creating coupons. However, it soon becomes obvious that someone is sabotaging the restaurant. Colorful illustrations on each page enliven the text, shortened from the original story and geared toward newly independent readers. The main characters are cued as white, though there are Black restaurant customers. VERDICT Despite its lack of chapters, this is for the early chapter book shelves; children will enjoy that it is the youngsters who solve all the pizza parlor problems and save their friends' business.--Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek P. L., WI

Colorful illustrations on each page enliven the text, shortened from the original story and geared toward newly independent readers.—School Library Journal