Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits

Gr 4–6—Henry Shipley and his family are going home to meet his father, a ship captain returning from his latest journey at sea. While aboard the train, Henry meets Ellie Strasbourg, who disappears shortly thereafter. With the help of Clarence Nockwood, the head train conductor, and Lantern Sam, a talking cat touted as the world's greatest detective since Sherlock Holmes, Henry sets out to discover what has happened to Ellie. One thing is for certain, someone on the train is trying to deceive them and it is up to the trio to break the case. Set aboard the Lake Erie Shoreliner passenger train in 1939, this historical mystery primarily takes place over just two days. Woven together with the main story line are chapters containing autobiographical tidbits about Lantern Sam's life, giving readers details about his backstory. Reluctant readers and fans of humorous tales and mysteries will enjoy this book. Teachers should add this to their list of classroom read-alouds as well.—Stephanie Charlefour, Wixom Public Library, MI