From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5. Secrets play a pivotal role in this mystery. Chad is convinced that summer vacation is going to be a total loss. With his Dad involved with the local summer theater and his best friend, Jeannie, often busy with a babysitting job, there just isn't much for a nine year old to do. Then an elderly neighbor is hospitalized and Chad takes on the responsibility of caring for her dog. When he and Jeannie hear mysterious footsteps in the woman's house, they conclude that an intruder is searching for hidden money. Rather than notify the police, they secretly plan to stand guard and capture the thief themselves. Their activities place them in danger when they have several close encounters with the suspect. In the meantime, Chad's widowed father is keeping secrets, too. He is spending lots of time with an attractive woman and Jeannie has her friend convinced that a wedding is imminent. Concerned that his father is deliberately excluding him, the boy is reluctant to share his involvement in the mystery until it is nearly too late. A suspenseful story that raises some thought-provoking questions about honesty and trust.?Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
Is there a burglar in Miss Beane's house? The elderly woman fell while investigating noises in her home, and is hospitalized. Nine-year-old Chad, who has always wanted a dog, is only too happy to take care of her Labrador retriever, Benson, while she recovers; a neighbor, Mrs. Keck, temporarily adopts Miss Beane's parrot, Baby. While searching Miss Beane's house for Benson's favorite toy, Chad and his friend Jeannie hear sounds and resolve to find out who the burglar is. Baby provides a clue, and Chad decides that the prowler is Cap Colby, an odd, older boy from the neighborhood. After all of the red herrings are disposed of, however, Cap helps Chad and Jeannie apprehend the real burglar. Wright (Haunted Summer, 1996, etc.) offers readers an intriguing mystery, an interesting subplot, and believable characters, but Benson steals every scene he's in. (Fiction. 7-11) --
Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
