It Came from Beneath the Playground

Snoop Troop

by Kirk Scroggs

Snoop Troop( It Came from Beneath the Playground) Hardcover KirkScroggs Little,BrownBooksforYoungReaders

Genres: Mystery, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Chapter Books

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Logan is training herself in criminal forensics and crime solving. Gustavo just thinks cops are cool and wants to solve crimes. Both kids show up when the merry-go-round goes missing from Hurling Rivers Amusement Park. And both are quickly removed from the scene but not before they both find clues. In the interest of justice, they decide to join forces to solve the crime. There are several suspects and the thief seems to be using moles. Who knows how to train moles?

I liked the picture puzzles in this that allowed you to try and find clues along with the main characters. That was a great idea. It's also a quick read with huge font and lots of illustrations so it would be good for reluctant readers. There was a little too much cheap humor for my taste, some of it a bit disrespectful of authority figures (the police cars all say Po-Po on them and the principal is treated like a complete joke). So overall this was just ok. It had some creative ideas and they kept the most important clue for figuring out who done it till the very end (though you could figure it out before the characters), but overall was just kind of meh.

Notes on content: No language issues. (Though as mentioned the police are referred to with a slang name that is someone derogatory. And the principal is disrespected.) No sexual content. Some people are in perilous situations, but no one is hurt.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated from the cover. This book is a truly interactive mystery, where kids get reminders to search certain illustrations for clues, to determine suspects, and find the culprit. It also incorporates other fun interactive features like word scrambles, "I spy" elements, and other games.

[Ali]

Summary:
Logan Lang is a detective. A kid at school named Gustavo wants to be a detective as well and Logan doesn't think he is ready. At the amusement park, the merry-go-round is stolen, and the owner claims that it was a mole that took it. The next day at school, all the kids are on the playground and then there was a rumble. All of a sudden the play ground as gone. The two kids go on a hunt to find what happened and they came across a mole with a walkie-talkie. It said that the lunch money should be on the filed by 3:33pm. The detectives go to their office to see if they can figure it out. They go through all the suspects and ask them all questions. They figure out who they can cross of their suspect list. In the end, it was a person controlling the moles. Read to find out who it was.

Questions
1. Explain why the story has the title that it does?
2. What questions would you ask the suspects if you were the detective?
3. What evidence can you find throughout the book to help solve the case?
4. Invent a new scenario for the detectives to solve.
5. What is your opinion of Logan and why do you feel that way?

Scroggs, K. (2014). Snoop Troop: It Came From Beneath the Playground. New York, NY. Little, Brown and Company.

[Elizabeth Banville · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. n/a
2. Second Grade
3. This book is about a detective named Logan who goes out to find the missing toys, carousel, and playground. She teams up with her nemesis Gustavo to find the person who is stealing these items. They work together using Logan's doodling skills to save the day.
4. This mystery book is great for children because they must read the details in order to help solve the mystery. It can also teach children that they can put aside their differences for someone in order to do good things. Finally the illustrations are very captivating for young children.
5. a. The children can talk about thing that they are good at, and things they have challenges with. They will partner with a friend who can teach them a new skill.
b. The teacher will set up a mystery hunt for the class they will have to be detectives and work together to solve the mystery.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic novel
Plenty of humor and fun in this series. Crazy antics and detective work blend as they solve the case of the stolen merry-go-round and playground.
Love the interactive aspects as readers are challenged to find clues along with the characters.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter (9yo) read. "

[Zariah Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, for some reason did not interest me at all but for certain readers that will be in my class that might feel the opposite; I decided to see how it ends.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 8 year old. He enjoyed it and he loved the pages where he had to find clues. We will read others for sure :)

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read with the kiddo. Look and fin pictures, clues long the way to help figure out who the suspects are and who actually was the villian.

[Amber Ridgeway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my 5th grader. So funny and interactive! We may need to read them all 😂

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for reluctant readers.

[Dylan | itsthelymanlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son enjoyed it but the humor is above his level. There are pictures on every page.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 children's

[Emmaline MacBeath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone has stolen the merry-go-round from the amusement park. Logan Lang, mystery solver extraordinaire and Gustavo Muchomacho, kid cop detective, show up separately to investigate the case. They each find clues the real cops miss. They now know the who, but not the why or how to get the missing stuff back. As suggested, they team up and interview Izzy Hurling--the park owner, Dr. Deep Yonder--Mole expert, Principal Shrub, and school Bully Ignas Scurge. From clue to clue they draw closer to solving the mystery of what is going on underneath the playground and who is ultimately responsible.

This amazing junior novel has something for everyone. The illustrations are deeply detailed making the reader want to stop and look at everything over and over again. The whole story is sprinkled with humor and silliness. On some pages is a magnifying glass that invites you to find something hidden within the illustrations. The characters are quirky and ultimately loveable. I especially enjoyed Gustavo's ridiculous mustaches. This author knows how to use quirky creativity to the best advantage. I was never bored and I wanted more when the story was over. He even includes quite a few activity pages at the back of the book to further inspire creativity. I highly recommend this book which is advertized for grades 1-4. I think even though the story line is simple, grades 5 and 6 would enjoy the parts that are more deeply hidden within the pages as well as the quirky humor.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a chapter book, right? Of course it is. It's 168 pages, and it's split into chapters. That's pretty much the definition of a chapter book right there. However, once you start reading, you'll notice that this book ends up looking a lot more like this. .

There is a spectacular mystery involving a girl named Logan (an amateur detective operating out of a broken down ice cream truck), a boy named Gustavo MuchoMacho (a police offer in training), a dog on wheels, and a missing merry go-round. Where has it disappeared to, and why is there a giant hole in the ground where it used to be?

And the best part is, all these puzzles you'll be solving will only help you unravel the mystery. Not to mention, there's a great how-to-draw-the-characters tutorial in the back. What more could you possibly want? This is more than a chapter book, this is Chapter Book with the volume turned all the way up.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Merry-Go-Round at Hurling Amusement Park has gone missing. All that's left behind is a giant hole in the ground. It is up to Logan Lang, a fourth grader at Murkee Elementary with a passion for mysteries, to solve the case. Unfortunately, she also has questionable help from Gustavo Muchomacho. After a failed ransom drop, the squeaky voice demands another ransom of the whole school's lunch money or they will strike yet again. It's time to take the investigation to the next level.

An interactive reading experience as the narrator asks the reader to look for clues, unscramble messages and solve the mystery before the characters do. Plenty of suspects to rule out. Cute idea. Lots of fun word play ("Detention Mounts", "Izzy Guilty?", ) and figurative language abounds ("chalk dust settles on the cold classroom floors like volcanic ash ..."). Should be a winner with reluctant readers.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series opener centers around Logan Lang and Gustavo Muchomacho who must team up (begrudgingly) to solve a case when a merry-go-round and kids lunch money is stolen. This part graphic novel (similar to Wimpy Kid and Origami Yoda) is truly an interactive mystery allowing readers the chance to solve the mystery themselves and do activities like find missing items, make crime sketches and solve puzzles in the end of the book. A great read for a mystery lover, reluctant reader or fans of Wimpy Kid and Origami Yoda. Gr. 2-5.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been so long since I have read this I can't remember enough to write a full review. Though I do remember it was kind of funny and ridiculous in a cheesy sort of way. But younger kids will like it. The format will likely be especially popular as it is intermediate reading level as well as lots of cartoon illustrations throughout.

[Kris Odahowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

You need a magnifying glass to have a first class read with the Snoop Troop gang, you need a good sense of humor and an excellent imagination would help. Kirk Scroggs rocks, his mole thieves and hip kid detectives make this book a page turner. Lots of great drawing fun in the back of the book too, hey but don't forget the magnifying glass.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous mystery series perfect for reluctant readers or readers who like the combination of standard text and dialogue bubbles. Plus the reader has the opportunity to use a magnifying glass to search for clues and suspects. My youngest prefers books of this type and he gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. My oldest gave it 4 stars. Success.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in the Snoop Troop series, an easy chapter book/graphic novel mash-up with goofy humor, interactive clues and a touch of meta-fiction. I especially like the female fourth-grade detective, Logan Lang. Her first words at 9 months were: "Circumstantial evidence!"

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a mix of text and graphics, young detectives will enjoy solving the mystery of missing playground equipment and stolen lunch money with Logan, a serious young detective, and Gustavo, a elementary aged cop with a selection of 1970's mustaches. Fun and quirky.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great 2nd-3rd grade book with humor and a mystery to solve. There are magnifying glass illustrations sprinkled in the story encouraging readers to search for clues or missing items. Activities at the end of the book encourage students to draw and play.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snoop Troop is a mystery/crime solving series. This is the only book of the series I've read. I enjoyed the magnifying glass on the page for readers to look closer for evidence. There are some fun activity pages at the back of the book.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goofy little interactive mystery - favorite phrase: rescued a funnel cake from a bubbling pit of hot grease.

[Sharie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reader
Graphic
Activity book
Series

[Toonice18]

i say if you want to know add me my name is Toonice18 on this account the moles are not alone that is my Hint about the book

[Carolanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, interactive (you have to look for clues to help solve the mystery), nicely paced. A good pick for 2nd-3rd graders or reluctant older readers.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever jokes for the adult reading along, illustrations kept the attention of my child and we read the book in one sitting.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially an interactive mystery in the format of a chapter book mixed with a graphic novel. Imagining most of my 2nd and 3rd graders adoring this!