Mystery of the Missing Luck

by Jacqueline Pearce, Leanne Franson (Illustrator)

Overview

Sara loves her grandmother's bakery. It's a special place-not only because of its delicious Japanese buns and pastries. She enjoys spending time with her obaachan, her grandmother. But things aren't going well for the bakery. When the bakery's lucky cat statue goes missing, Sara wonders if the bakery's luck is gone for good. But then a mysterious cat appears in the backyard one night and inspires a plan. With the help of her friend, Jake, Sara just might find the statue and restore the bakery's lost luck.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459806023
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	05/01/2011
Series:	Orca Echoes Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
Lexile:	630L (what's this?)
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jacqueline Pearce grew up on Vancouver Island. She has always been fascinated with local history and her first three novels are stories about Vancouver Island's past. Her interest in other countries and cultures, nature and animals also makes its way into her novels and short stories. Jacqueline has degrees in English literature and environmental studies. She currently lives in Burnaby, British Columbia, on the edge of a ravine with her husband, daughter, dog and two cats. For more information, visit www.jacquelinepearce.ca.

Leanne Franson is a children's illustrator from Martensville, Saskatchewan. She studied Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montréal and afterwards headed tothe Banff Centre, School of Fine Arts for ceramics. Besides illustrating wonderful children's books, Leanne makes porcelain animals and stoneware pottery in her home ceramics studio, under the name Scattered Fingers.

Read an Excerpt

Sara pushed open the bakery door. "Where is Maneki Neko?" she asked Obaachan. Obaachan was Sara's Japanese grandmother. She stood behind a long counter with a glass front. More buns and pastries were lined up behind the glass.

Usually Obaachan smiled broadly when Sara arrived. But this afternoon her round face was long and sad. "Gone," she said. "Maneki Neko is gone."

Editorial Reviews

"This beginning chapter book ably portrays the two main characters and the bond between them. In a nicely handled subplot, an actual cat makes mysterious appearances and eventually leads to the finding of Maneki Neko...The mystery's resolution is far more realistic than one usually finds in books for young children. Readers new to chapter books will find this paperback, with its many full-page drawings, a good place to start."

Booklist

"This ready-for-chapter books story is great for the young reader. Using a Japanese icon as the subject of the mystery was an ingenious concept as it pulls a multicultural aspect into the storyline. The simple plot and the humorous conclusion are well written...Another great addition for the elementary library."

Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON)

"A wonderfully warm and clever book...The chapters are short and fast-paced. There is suspense or mystery with a hint of magic...The story is a great introduction to many facets of Japanese culture, and the pictures reinforce the sense of immersion. Well done!"

Canadian Teacher

"[Has a] tightly focused plot, well supported by a manageable cast of characters...Will fit nicely into reading programs as well as offering newly independent readers [an] engaging option for first chapterbook reads."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Short chapters and nicely detailed pencil illustrations by Leanne Franson will definitely keep even reluctant readers turning pages. Recommended."

Resource Links

"Filled with numerous illustrations to aid the new chapter book reader. The main characters are well drawn."

BookLinx

"This beginning chapter book ably portrays the two main characters and the bond between them. In a nicely handled

subplot, an actual cat makes mysterious appearances and eventually leads to the finding of Maneki Neko...The mystery's resolution is far more realistic than one usually finds in books for young children. Readers new to chapter books will find this paperback, with its many full-page drawings, a good place to start."

Booklist