The High-Rise Private Eyes #3: The Case of the Puzzling Possum

From School Library Journal K-Gr 4-Crackerjack detectives Bunny Brown, a rabbit, and Jack Jones, a raccoon, are asked to solve a case revolving around the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of a trombone from the window of Mr. Riley's music store. Bunny finds two clues at the scene: muddy paw prints and a piece of straw. She and Jack connect the evidence to a sign on Mr. Riley's door advertising a hayride with Gus and his Big Brass Boys. After taking a taxi to the farm, they notice a possum playing a trombone in the band and discover that the instrument's case says Riley's Music. He confesses that he was just borrowing the trombone because the hay wagon rolled over his, and Bunny suggests that he give trombone lessons at Mr. Riley's store to earn the money needed to buy a new instrument. With lots of quips between the two main characters, this story is sure to amuse younger children who listen to it read aloud and older readers who enjoy it alone. Rylant's quick pace and brief chapters make it a page-turner. Karas feeds the fun by putting lots of visual humor into his colorful cartoons, which were created using acrylic, gouache, and pencil. A fun romp for fans of humorous whodunits who are just becoming confident with chapter books.-Karen Land, Greenport Public School, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From