Young Cam Jansen and the Double Beach Mystery

Young Cam Jansen Mysteries #8

by David A. Adler, Susanna Natti (Illustrator)

Cam Jansen and her best friend Eric have headed to the beach. But after a day of sun and fun, they can't find Cam's mother. Was she abducted by aliens? Is she in disguise? "Click," says Cam, and the hunt is on.

The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years. With the addition of the Cam easy-to-reads, now younger readers are able to help solve mysteries meant just for them. When it's time to make the transition to more difficult books, Cam Jansen will be waiting.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2002

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Marissa Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was reading to a group of first graders, they asked me for a chapter book. I immediately thought of the Cam Jansen series. They were my favorite beginning chapter book series as a kid. The kids loved it. The book had the essence of an actual chapter book with still having pictures to keep them engaged. The young Cam Jansen Mystery stories have a fun interactive memory game included as well that the kids loved. I recommend this book and series to all kids who are started to want to go from picture books to chapter books.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are big fans of Cam Jansen - both the Young Cam Jansen series as well as the Cam Jansen series, though the latter deals more with crimes and ill-intent and the former is more about solving problems involving forgetfulness, confusion and losing things.

If you're looking for more mystery series for ages 4-8, check out Nate the Great.

[Kate Matheis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for beginning readers who enjoy mysteries. Cam helps her aunt and brother find their way back to their mother. Cam then helps her mother find the papers she loses at the beach.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery at the beach, well actually two mysteries at the beach. Come to the beach and enjoy a mystery.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a young Cam Jansen 'two-fer' mystery. Not only does young Cam have a photographic memory, she possesses a level head and quite an impressively logical mind.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read aloud to children and perfect for early readers. Our girls love the Cam Jansen mysteries and the Young Cam Jansen books are quick reads (you can easily read it in one sitting) and have a lot more pictures, which our youngest really enjoys. We are looking forward to reading more Cam Jansen books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked this one because it is a bit about high tide and low tide, so we discussed that. We had coincidentally JUST watched "Despicable Me" before reading this book so it was the perfect tie-in! (The moon's gravitational pull on the ocean)

[Rose]

E Adl

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda fun to have a double mystery in this one. My preschooler enjoyed learning what "double" means, among other things.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two mysteries on one beach with another appearance by Aunt Molly. Great fun all around!

[Leiera Monae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Reading Adventures Book Club, Summer 2014

*D.E.A.R. Time -- Read with 7 year olds*

06.20.2014

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite my rating, my 5-year-old gives this book 5 stars.