Sam the Man & the Secret Detective Club Plan

Sam the Man

by Frances O'Roark Dowell, Amy June Bates (Illustrations)

Sam Graham is a mystery man. But when there are no mysteries to solve, Sam comes up with a plan to find one in this hilarious fourth chapter book in the Sam the Man series from Frances O’Roark Dowell.

Sam Graham loves solving mysteries. After successfully solving the mystery of Annabelle’s lost sock, Sam decides to make mystery-solving his main hobby (after tending the chickens, of course). He recruits his best friend Gavin and a couple of their classmates for a detective club, and together they’re ready for any mystery that comes their way. There’s a problem though…there are no cases to solve!

So, Sam comes up with a They’ll take the most interesting things in the lost and found and try to find out who lost what. But who could a locked box, a very long stuffed snake, and a red jacket belong to? And how will Sam and his friends find them? And…why does that jacket smell so bad?!?

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

While Frances O'Roark Dowell (Dovey Coe, The Secret Language of Girls, Trouble the Water) is best known for her award-winning novels, she also hosts the popular "Off-Kilter Quilt" podcast, where she talks about her latest quilt projects with friends and fellow quilters around the globe. Her own little corner of the globe is Durham, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and a dog named Travis. Connect with her online at FrancesDowell.com.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't get this for the mystery aspect (much stronger mystery books exist for kids in this age group) but I do really enjoy the Sam the Man books and recommend this if you are a fan of the series.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam the Man & the Secret Detective Plan is the newest installment of the Sam the Man series by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Sam is a second grader who is pretty good at solving mysteries. So good, that his big sister says he should start a detective agency! Thinking this idea could make him rich and famous, he decides to ask his friend Gavin what he thinks. Together, they come up with a plan for a detective club.

If you're in second grade, where do you go to find mysteries to solve? The Lost and Found! Follow the Club as they try to find the owners of four random items pulled from the Lost and Found.

I read this story to my third graders this Fall, and they gave rave reviews! We laughed out loud, always wanted to keep reading, and now want to go find the other Sam the Man books to add to our library. They highly recommend the book to you, and so do I!


[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is a great role model. I love that he has relationships with older neighbors and friends his age. I like that he asks for support and that his ideas are helpful and respectful.

[Mr. Wakiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good kids book