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8th out of 44 books
—
10 voters
The Vanishing Violin (The Red Blazer Girls #2)
When there are mysteries to be solved, the Red Blazer Girls are on the case! The discovery of the Ring of Rocamadour has secured the girls' reputation as Upper East Side super-sleuths, bringing many sundry job requests (no mystery too small, right?) and some unwanted attention from crooks. This time the girls must follow a trail of cryptic clues, involving everything from...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
August 10th 2010
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
(first published 2010)
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This is the second title in the Red Blazer Girls series- 4 young girl sleuths who attend school in New York City. I love this series! Again, this book has clues, this time mostly of the cipher-type, which lead the girls through the mystery to the conclusion. They solve the entire mystery by the clues mysteriously given to them. When I neared the end I thought that I was going to be terribly disappointed when I saw where it was going but no, the author pulled it off and it turned out to have a fa...more
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I felt it was well written, had interesting puzzles, and was fast paced enough to keep me interested.
My typical read is fantasy, all age ranges, so this was a bit of a departure for me.
To be frank, however, I would prefer my 12 year old daughter not read this book, nor the first, and I won't be recommending them to her. I felt that the behavior of the characters was inappropriate for their ages. Children so frequently imitate what they see in popular cult...more
My typical read is fantasy, all age ranges, so this was a bit of a departure for me.
To be frank, however, I would prefer my 12 year old daughter not read this book, nor the first, and I won't be recommending them to her. I felt that the behavior of the characters was inappropriate for their ages. Children so frequently imitate what they see in popular cult...more
It was a pretty cute story, and fun for kids who like to mess around with codes and puzzles. There was some good suspense and plot twists. My issues were that I don't think 12-year-olds should be dating and kissing, there was a little too much OMG, and mixed messages about revenge and meanness. On the one hand, the major plot element of the vanishing violin ended with a reprimand to the robber not to live her life seeking revenge but to get on with her life and be grateful for what she had. On t...more
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BEIL, Michael D. The Vanishing Violin. 336p. (The Red Blazer Girls Series). CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86103-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96103-8. LC 2009023984.
Gr 5-8--The Red Blazers Girls are back with another multilayered mystery to solve. This time they are on the trail of a missing rare violin. Margaret, a violinist, has a lot riding on this case. If she finds the instrument, it is hers to keep. Once again, the young sleuths must break and trace some cryptic codes...more
Gr 5-8--The Red Blazers Girls are back with another multilayered mystery to solve. This time they are on the trail of a missing rare violin. Margaret, a violinist, has a lot riding on this case. If she finds the instrument, it is hers to keep. Once again, the young sleuths must break and trace some cryptic codes...more
Another fantastic adventure of the Red Blazer Girls (given their name from the red blazers they wear for school) This time I listened to the audio book. But I have to say I did not
enjoy the audiobook as much as I did reading the physical book of the Ring of Rocomadour.
While the narrator seemed ok and portrayed the girls well, I found some of her accents a little forced for some characters and a little over-done. But the girls' fantastic attitudes and humor still came through perfectly.
The main...more
enjoy the audiobook as much as I did reading the physical book of the Ring of Rocomadour.
While the narrator seemed ok and portrayed the girls well, I found some of her accents a little forced for some characters and a little over-done. But the girls' fantastic attitudes and humor still came through perfectly.
The main...more
The Red Blazer Girls series is #2 on my mental 'funniest series ever' list; second only to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. If you read this series, I can assure you you'll be giggling at least once. The Vanishing Violin was not quite as funny as the first book, but it was very close. And there was an awesome revenge plot in this book-BWAHAHAHAHA!
I really got to know Leigh Ann much better in this book. That goes for all the girls, really. There is also a new character, Mbingo. Who doesn't love a name like...more
I really got to know Leigh Ann much better in this book. That goes for all the girls, really. There is also a new character, Mbingo. Who doesn't love a name like...more
Sep 01, 2010
Sarah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
grades 6-8
Recommended to Sarah by:
sequel
Shelves:
children-mystery,
audio
This is the second book in the Red Blazer Girl series. I listened to the first book and surprisingly enjoyed it (I normally don't like mysteries). I think a lot of it had to do with the reader of the book on cd being very good. So, when book two came out, I thought I'd give it a try.
There's nothing wrong with the story or anything like that; maybe my heart wasn't wholly into listening to another mystery or something...but I found my mind wandering during the story--not so much that I wasn't foll...more
There's nothing wrong with the story or anything like that; maybe my heart wasn't wholly into listening to another mystery or something...but I found my mind wandering during the story--not so much that I wasn't foll...more
This was a great book. I had the privilege of reading a great tween detective book that was full of puzzles. I found myself stopping to try them out. This is something I believe most students will really enjoy. I was well written and kept me turning pages. This is the second book in the Blazer Girls series. In this book the girls have already solved one mystery and have formed a detective agency. Their next case involves finding out who has broken into their school and is "fixing" things. Little...more
I like this series a lot--like the Winston Breen series it combines puzzles and mysteries without murders. I prefer the characters in this series, though--they're all well-defined and interesting and sympathetic, and not above a little bit of ingenious and ethically shaky (though very satisfying and well-deserved) revenge on a distinctly unethical classmate. I also liked the mystery in this one, which was cleverly solved. Overall, this is not a new Nancy Drew, but it is a mystery series appropri...more
The Red Blazer girls are back and better than ever as they tackle their next mystery or should I say mysteries. They find themselves deciphering clues about a violin, investigating an anonymous do-gooder fixing things up around their school, and in the middle of all that a valuable violin vanishes. What else can a Red Blazer girl do, but form a band and seek revenge on a nasty fellow student.
I had a long break in the middle of this audio book because first I downloaded it through Overdrive, but...more
I had a long break in the middle of this audio book because first I downloaded it through Overdrive, but...more
Much more predictable story than The Ring of Rocamadour (I had the violin thief's identity figured out about halfway through the book), but the puzzles in this one were more challenging. I like that the girls' social circle continues to expand, allowing readers to get to know more characters. Despite the predictability of this book (and it likely would not be predictable to a target-aged reader), I think the Red Blazer Girls series is one of the better middle-grade mystery serials available righ...more
I listened to this one and the combination of the writing and the actress who read it made some of this really "teen-y" which I think tweens would like, but made me want to cry. But beside that, the story was fun, although I did find myself wondering at times why these 12-almost-13 year old girls would be able to run around NY City unsuperviesed as much as they did. Still, not something a kid who was reading this would probably think about.
Another fun adventure with the Red Blazer girls. This book is probably targeted for girls 10 - 14. I'm an adult and liked the adventure too. Teenage girls will probalby like these books more than teenage boys - sort of like Nancy Drew mysteries from the past. The combination of puzzle solving and mystery solving is nice. The puzzles in this story focus on different codes and ciphers. A good, light, fun read.
There are not enough fun words to describe how much I enjoy these books! Who knew that following around middle school girls could be this much fun. The Red Blazer Girls are non stop witty, told from the perspective of Sophie St. Pierre whom you cant help but love the books follow the adventures of four catholic schoolgirls solving crimes in their neighborhood. Don't be fooled these clues are a little hard and definitely cause you to think your way through each page. The pure enjoyment is wrapped...more
4 girls in middle school at a new york private catholic school solve crimes and live their lives,they are all a genius at something and lots of math and literature references are needed for them to solve clues. They also form a band. Like this alot, although the first one in the series called red blazer girls should be read first and is a little better and more true to life.
The second book in the Red Blazer Girls series. This time the mystery comes to them when someone breaks into their school and steals a valuable violin. Not only do they have follow the cryptic clues to find the culprit, but are dealing with first loves, homework and parents. Only be trusting each other will they be able to find the answers they are looking for.
I liked the puzzles better in this second novel, and it was a good read. However, I still thought this book paled in comparison to the first book, and there was a bit of unbelievability when it came to Margaret figuring out HOW the violin was stolen. But, if I were in the recommended age range for this novel, maybe it wouldn't have bothered me. :-D
A fantastic read! Along with Sammy Keyes, the Red Blazer Girls are my absolute favorite tweenage mystery-solvers. Sophie, Becca, Margaret, & Leigh Ann are at it again, this time helping their principal solve the mystery of who is breaking in & doing cleaning & repair work on the school at night before getting entangled in a real whiz-banger involving a very valuable violin stolen from Carnegie Hall in 1959. The clues continue to be real puzzlers - literally - just like the last outin...more
This mystery and how it was solved is amazing. The way that the "Red Blazer Girls" figured out how the person who stole the violin to manage to do so was pretty ingenious. After reading this I realized that I over look a lot of things. The way the author pieced together and foreshadowed the story was very impressive.
Jun 24, 2011
Creativejuyoung
added it
I lived the first book of the story. I read it a while ago and just found out recently that there was a second and third book. The first book was a page turner. I finished it in a day. This book was also a page turner but not as good as the first. If you like mysteries this book is for you!
I love these girls!! I love how using their brains and being creative is celebrated in this book. Also, the girls have a strong friendship. The mystery was a little easy to figure out, but Sophie, Margaret, Becca and Leigh Ann are so much fun to hang out with!
Great for girls age 11-14!
Great for girls age 11-14!
I loved the way the girls all supported one another and were free to develop their own talents.
This book should be added to all junior high libraries.
Just afun read. Are you up to a challenge? See if you can follow the clues and solve the three mysteries before the girls.
This book should be added to all junior high libraries.
Just afun read. Are you up to a challenge? See if you can follow the clues and solve the three mysteries before the girls.
3 1/2 stars. Although Beil's voice doesn't always ring true as that of a teenage girl, the books are enormously entertaining and irresistible for their intrigue and adventure. These mysteries are just what tweens ordered...and fun to boot.
Fun book, loved the narrator. Another good story with clues and puzzles. Love the connections with quality literature, as clues, but doubt many of the kids will absorb the literature connections. Seem to be good, yet realistic, role models.
I love these books! Mysteries, puzzles, humor, a 12-year-old narrator whose biggest moral dilemma is whether to ride on a scooter with her boyfriend...I can't wait for number 3.
Loved this as much as the other two - so cute and funny! This one actually had me close to tears at the end with the violin's story. Can't wait for another one!
The puzzles remind me a little bit of the Mysterious Benedict Society; love them. I would recommend this book to fans of the Mother Daughter Book Club series, too.
Mar 09, 2012
Claire
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mystery lovers -
Fast paced and funny- the Red Blazer Girls on the case again. Multiple mysteries, lots of school work, a budding rock band and great friends team up for and enjoyable story filled with lots of logic puzzles.
This is the second installment in this series - move over Nancy Drew & Sammy Keyes because the Red Blazer Girls are going to give you some serious competition.
This teenager girl-friendship book was much better than the last one I read (Traveling Pants). It was a mystery rather than just teenage angst.
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Michael D. Beil grew up in rural Ohio , where he learned to milk cows and other important lessons. He was a sailor, sailmaker and lawyer before finding his true calling in 1997: Teacher.
Since 2001, he has taught English and drama at Saint Vincent Ferrer, an all-girls Catholic high school in Manhattan, where he also wrote and produced Aftershocks, a play based on the challenges facing the immigrant...more
More about Michael D. Beil...
Since 2001, he has taught English and drama at Saint Vincent Ferrer, an all-girls Catholic high school in Manhattan, where he also wrote and produced Aftershocks, a play based on the challenges facing the immigrant...more
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