Wanted... Mud Blossom

Blossom Family #5

by Betsy Byars, Jacqueline Rogers (Illustrator)

The Blossom family has an especially eventful weekend during which Junior Blossom loses the school hamster and Pap's dog Mud is put on trial for the hamster's murder!"Byars captures the conflict and tension of courtroom drama, the ups and downs of personal relationships, and the rewards of lasting friendships."-- "School Library Journal," starred review.

An ALA Notable Children's Book, A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Writers Award, A Child Study Children's Book Committee: Children's Book of the Year, A Junior Literary Guild Selection.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Juvenile, Mystery

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Betsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!

Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.

Reviews

[Kaytie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this as a family read aloud with the kiddos

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. By pure coincidence, I had started reading Summer of the Swans a couple days before I started listening to this one, not even realizing they were by the same writer. I think Byars definitely has an engaging style, but I much preferred this one to the other.

I thought the Blossom family was a lot fun and even brought out a few giggles. Ralphie's crush on Maggie was my absolute favorite. I didn't even mind Junior and Michael and Vernon. I liked the side story about "Mad Mary."

The story moved quickly and kept my attention. What more could I want?

BOB 3/4 2019

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Scooty, Junior's classroom hamster, goes missing, Junior is quick to accuse Mud of murder. Mary "Mad Mary" Cantrell goes missing, and all that is found is her bag and cane on the side of the road. Mystery, and murder and personal relationships are the focus with the Blossom family. Never a dull moment, and filled with humor.

[Laurel W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable—I’m twenty years old and I found myself laughing out loud. Having not read any Blossom Family stories before, I was at first a bit confused about the relationships between the characters, but other than that, I loved the book. Byars’ storytelling is simple and heartfelt.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this one on CD- cute, but a little too much romance for elementary.

[Jefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: this review is to help me remember the book. I'm an elementary teacher and need to remember what I liked and what I didn't. This may not be a great review for reviews sake. I read this with my third grader for battle of the books. It's a good story though I think it is better for 10 and up. It might be good to read with your student because the story jumps back and forth from different scenes. I was also disappointed that this was on the battle of the books list because it made reference to previous books. It looks like there are a few in the series and it was confusing for my 9 year old when other situations from a different book came up.
That said the book was funny and resulted in some great conversations. The Blossom family remind me of the Penderwick's for younger readers.
Suggestions: read with students.
Orient them to text features of scene breaks
Point out funny moments (there are quite a few bit younger students may not recognize them)
Read previous books first
Not a book about a dog as a protagonist, rather about a family to which the dog is a member.
Could use it to demonstrate third person, prediction, inference.
I would recommend for kids who like quirky stories.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were scenes that were excellent, but there were a lot of parts that didn’t work for me, such as the falling-out between Ralph and Maggie. I also found Junior often annoying in the final two books; years have passed since the first book in the series yet he has gotten less mature and more obnoxious. I liked the bits that were from Mud’s perspective. It’s good to be reminded at how animals likely see the world somewhat differently from humans.

[Julie W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another Battle of the Books title to check off. The book was ok. I’m sure the target audience of elementary schoolers would enjoy it much more. I did not enjoy the narrator. The voice he used for the young character was grating. Being such a short but I’m sure it would have been better to actually read it.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior's excited, he brought home the class hamster. When it disappears he believes Mud, grampa dog, ate him. Everyone else thinks he's innocent so the they must have a trial. Maggie and Ralphie find Mad Mary's bag and cane beside the road. What happened to her?

[Anna Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids really enjoyed reading this series together! They liked this book a lot. They begged to start the next one as soon as we finished one, so they were clearly big hits. There were a couple parts in this book where I laughed pretty hard. The characters are fun and they have good storylines.

[Shelly Budziszewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun characters!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Battle of the Books list for 3-4 grades. I think this is a perfect book for those ages, and down to second grade as well. It was just a really cute, fun, feel good book.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. Sometimes you think a family couldn't be this way. And, other times, you think that is just like my family.

[Jen Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit old-fashioned, but as a read-aloud to my 4th graders, even in the midst of a pandemic, it was a hit.

[Aleta Fera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

grades 3-5

[Shaun Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and insightful view into the world of young people's thoughts and lives. we enjoyed this quick read a lot and will look for more from this author...

[K Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book for kids, it covers responsibility, has action (the guinea pig goes missing) and unique perspectives.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.

In this conclusion to the Blossoms series, both Mud and Mad Mary are in a lot of trouble. Mud has been accused of eating the class hamster that Junior brought home from school, resulting in a full criminal trial. More seriously, Mad Mary has gone missing, leaving her cane and the bag she uses to carry animal carcasses behind on a trail in the woods, with no indication as to where she has gone. While Vern and Michael tease Junior, and Maggie and Ralphie sort out their romantic feelings, Vicky Blossom worries about what to wear to impress her own newest suitor, and Pap investigates Mary’s disappearance in the hopes of helping her out.

In some ways, this is the lightest of the five Blossom books. Even though Mad Mary is missing for much of the story, none of the Blossoms themselves are in true danger, and the events that take place surrounding the apparent loss of Junior’s hamster are more comical than dire, even if Junior takes them seriously. The mock trial the family stages for Mud involves everyone, including most of the previous books’ supporting characters, and though the trial is mainly a silly thing, it does highlight the varied relationships between the different characters and their feelings for each other.

In Kirkus’s 1991 review of this book, the reviewer noted that “there's no reason to single out a best Blossom book” and that turns out to be absolutely true. Each book holds its own as a strong single entity, but also works nicely as part of the tapestry of the larger series. The characters remain consistently loveable and well-developed throughout each of the stories, and each one receives the happy ending he or she deserves. This last book isn’t the most emotional of the series - I think A Blossom Promise, where Pap nearly dies, probably wins that title - but there is still something so satisfying about the way the family and their friends interact and come together in each other’s hours of great need. This book- and indeed, this entire series - is not to be missed.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a couple of Betsy Byars book I like a lot so I picked this book up out of the library -- NOT realizing it's the fifth book in a series. (Hey, I was too busy to read the blurb before checking out. I live on the edge.) This book made me want to never read the first 4 books. I really don't know what the fuss is about.



The illustrator gets 5 stars. Well done -- except the hamster was supposed to be black, but I'll be generous since the color mention was an in-between-the-line kind of thing and never explicitly made in the text.

I'd also like to further note that losing a hamster is one of my recurring nightmares. And now I got to read about it in print. I know what I'll be having nightmares about for a long time now.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth book about the Blossom's was a hoot - because we listened to it as a book on tape, and we acually listened to it first. It's fun to hear all the characters come to life. In this book, Vern's friend, Michael, convinces him to trespass in Mad Mary's cave. Mad Mary herself is missing, and the Blossoms are the only ones who seem to notice or care. Junior is angry with Mud, Pap's dog, because he belives that Mud has eaten the school hamster he was caring for. As usual, there's a lot going on. I liked all these books for the reason that they seem very real. The characters have plenty of flaws. They don't always do the right thing, and sometimes their mistakes are disasterous. Sounds a lot like real life. The bottom line, though, is that they are a loyal and loving, if unconventional, family, who sticks together no matter what. These would be great read-aloud books for a family, because they would interest most age groups.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blossoms have two mysteries to solve. Maggie Blossom and her boyfriend, Ralphie, find Mad Mary's bag by the side of the road. They know something is wrong, because Mary would never leave her collecting bag especially when it contains a dead possum for dinner. When Pap goes to her cave, he finds it empty. Meanwhile, Junior Blossom has received the distinct honor of bringing the classroom hamster home for the weekend. He puts the hamster in a network of tunnels he's dug in the backyard thinking it will be the perfect hamster hideaway. Coming out of the house a short time later, Junior sees the boards covering the tunnels awry. Closer examination shows Mud's footprints and dog pee. Junior is convinced that Mud has killed Scooty, the hamster, so the children hold a murder trial. Just before the jury renders their verdict, the hamster reappears mysteriously. With one mystery solved, the Blossoms set out to find Mad Mary.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted...Mud Blossom (1991) by Betsy Byars is the story of mystery after mystery at the Blossom house. First, the class hamster, which Junior is taking care of for the weekend, disappears with evidence pointing to the dog, Mud. Then Mad Mary disappears. Finally, there may be a murder about to happen. What a weekend for the Blossoms!

Themes: Mystery; Friendship; Justice

Ways to use this book with children:
*Hold a mock trial to determine Mud's guilt or innocence (before you find out what really happened).
*Create Wanted posters for Mud.
*Discuss the idea of "innocent until proven guilty." Have students write a persuasive essay on why Mud deserves this right.

Additional Info:
1992 Edgar Allan Poe Award

[Rose Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for middle grade children. It has a lot of twists and turns because the author jumps from one instance to another and then back again. It could be hard for some readers because of this. The reader would need to have a good memory or take notes, if the reader takes a break, because the author jumps around so much. However, if the reader can keep up, this book will be hard to put down. It held my interest the entire time. It does have a few innocent kisses in the story between a couple of young children, but it is humorous as well. You will have to see for yourself. There are a few well drawn pictures in the book, so the characters really come alive for the reader. I would recommend it for older children and/or proficient readers. Check it out!

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in a series about the Blossom Family. This installment focuses on the family dog named Blossom. When Junior brings home the classroom pet for the weekend, the hamster ends up missing. Evidence discovered makes it appear that the dog might have eaten the hamster. The family puts the dog on "trial for murder". There is also a "B" plot involving Mad Mary, an unusual neighbor who is missing.

I found this book humorous, but I thought the plot jumped around and some less experienced or competent readers might find it difficult to follow. I also would recommend that you read the series in order because the author assumes that you are already familiar with the characters.

In Colorado, this was one of the selections for Battle of the Books.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

"Mud, Pap Blossom's dog is in deep trouble. Scooty, the school hamster Junior brought home for the weekend is missing--and the evidence points right to Mud. Meanwhile, Maggie and Ralphie find Mad Mary's bag and cane by the side of the road--everybody knows she'd never leave them behind voluntarily. With disappearances, kidnapping, and a possible murder, it's anything but dull at the Blossoms' this weekend." (From Amazon)

I loved the Blossom family as they were crazier than my own family. I still remember reading this series one summer outside on the deck. I would start reading after lunch and chores until it became too dark to read anymore.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only Blossom book I've ever read, but what an unforgettable cover. The actual story is not nearly so much about the dog as I remembered, as opposed to the entire family, but one thing that did stand out was the writing style. I kept thinking what a great book it would make for elementary-age kids, both for fun and as a group discussion book, even if it doesn't personally hold the same appeal for me as an adult (which I think truly great children's books do).

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another book that I read with my 8-year-old son for his Battle of the Books contest at school. He and I both loved it. It was very funny and cute. The story is quite lighthearted but includes a little mystery, a love story, and even a murder trial. It was and fun one to read out loud-- and my husband even ended up in the room listening and chuckling with us. I had no idea that this was part of a series and will definitely be picking up the others to read to my son.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blossom family has an especially eventful weekend during which Junior Blossom loses the school hamster and Pap's dog Mud is put on trial for the hamster's murder!

An ALA Notable Children's Book, A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Writers Award, A Child Study Children's Book Committee: Children's Book of the Year, A Junior Literary Gu...more

[Havilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we listened to this book in the car, we had no idea that it was #5 in a series of books. We loved every minute of it. We were delighted to find that we had many more adventures to read/listen to about the Blossom family. These books are what we will be listening to this summer. Highly recommended.