Search - Benny Uncovers A Mystery (Boxcar Children Mysteries #19)

ISBN 0590426834 - In general, the Boxcar Children series has one flaw - although I don't think I've ever read the kids' ages mentioned, there are clues to them in things like the fact that they get jobs, and that Henry is going to college in the fall. They all, however, tend to speak like very young children, which I find a little patronizing to the reader.

Benny doesn't like having nothing to do. When he finds himself bored, he seeks out activities and late one summer, the activity he chooses is work. Not mowing lawns, but a real job. He finds jobs for himself and Henry at Furman's, the department store. And at Furman's, he finds a mystery. Who is behind the odd happenings at the store? Jewelry mysteriously appears, employees receive anonymous notes about their job performance and there's a strange woman who shops at the store daily whose shopping habits annoy employees and arouse suspicion. Can Benny work it out before school starts and his summer job is over?

These books are supposed to be for the 8-12 age range, but I think they're more suited to either the die-hard young mystery fan or the younger part of that age group.

- AnnaLovesBooks