The Case from Outer Space

by James Preller

Jigsaw Jones is back! In The Case from Outer Space , an original mystery from James Preller, Jigsaw and his crew―Mila, Joey, and Danika―find a clue that implies an alien may be about to visit their school! Can it be true? And what does the Little Free Library have that aliens from outer space might want?

( The school librarian has invited a special guest to talk about space exploration―an astronaut!)

Friendship, mystery, and school-day shenanigans are what make the Jigsaw Jones chapter book mysteries beloved and read over and over. Includes a word jumble (names of planets in solar system), writing prompts, and information on how to start a little free library (which are taking hold in many parts of the country)!

This title has Common Core connections.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books

96 pages, Hardcover

Published August 8, 2017

About the author

James Preller (born 1961) is the children's book author of the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, which are published by Scholastic Corporation. He grew up in Wantagh, New York and went to college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, James Preller was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced (through their books) to many noatable children's authors. This inspired James Preller to try writing his own books. James Preller published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. Since that time, James Preller has written a variety of books, and has written under a number of pen names, including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers. James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife Lisa and their three children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5. Good little mysteries for kids. I find the story a bit slow for a young public, it didn't happen that much stuff in it. The characters are alright, but the best part for me was the educative part, a kid would learn a bit about planets and our solar system. The clue are presented slowly, so you can try to solve them by yourself before continue to read, or just read through it and learn the answer straight ahead. Nothing extraordinary, but a book that does a good work in many ways!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book with my First-Grade group.

The kids were into this story the whole way. The mystery was simple, yet well executed. The kids loved the clues and each had their own detective notebook to write them down in. There was a substitution code they cracked in a note from one main character to another.

It was funny at times, relatable (the main character is passionate about solving mysteries but not super!), and it had just the right amount of new words to stretch their vocabulary without slowing them down too much.

Altogether an engaging and fun read.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preller, James. The Case from Outer Space, illustrated by R. W. Alley. 85 pages. Feiwel and Friends, 2017. $15.99. Language: G. Violence: G. Sexual Content: G.
Jigsaw Jones is back! And for a dollar a day, Jigsaw Jones can make your problems go away. Danika and Joey find a note from outer space in a book called Messages from Mars. They got the book from a Little Free Library, where you take and book and leave a book. At school, their teacher, Ms. Gleason, announces that they are going to have a surprise visitor from far, far away. Three different clues lead them to Ms. Gleason. She fesses up to writing the note from outer space, but won’t tell them who the special visitor is until tomorrow when they come to school.

The mystery guest is the perfect ending to this light Jigsaw Jones Mystery book. Young readers will enjoy following the clues and trying to figure out who wrote the mysterious message and whether or not they were from outer space. The illustrations are fun and frequent, and out of this world.

EL-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book that has a story line that makes children think. Are there aliens around they wonder? A note printed in code is easy to crack because every letter in the alphabet has a number related to it. A being one, B being two, etc. and yes I did figure what the note says by "cracking the message". This story is about space and learning about the planets in which a trick is given to help to remember the names of the planets. Could be very helpful for some children if they are struggling to remember the planets names. They also get to talk to a real astronaut who answers questions they have and who also tells them to work hard in school to help them succeed. I really liked the idea of the activities which bring the children into the story line. I had never heard of Jigsaw Jones series before I read this. I got this for free in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When his friends find a cryptic note with some orange dust on it, they are sure that it must be from an alien and that only Jigsaw Jones and his friend Mila can solve the mystery of its origin. Although they make several guesses that turn out not to be right, eventually all the clues seem to point to a most unlikely suspect--their teacher. Fans of the series will enjoy the suspense as well as the humor that the author braids into the story line. Reading books like these is such a simple pleasure because there is so little angst and stress--just a mystery to unfold. The book makes a good read aloud since there are multiple ideal stopping points when sharing it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Joey and Danika find a mysterious note tucked inside a book, all signs point to a visitor...from outer space." [inside flap]

Preller began writing these novels in 1998. 33 books later, he continues to create stories with age-appropriate voice and verisimilitude that engages and entertains young readers. Though there is no use of modern technology by the characters, The Case from Outer Space showcases a Little Free Library and a female astronaut (possibly of color)--illustrating that the series reflects contemporary times.

Audience: 1-3 grades
Connections: space, astronauts, planets, DRA level 34

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery for children in grade one, two or three. It keeps children in suspense while Jigsaw Jones puts clues together to solve an outer space mystery. His friends, teacher, parents, and Grams all fit into the story. The Little Free Library is mentioned and is part of the clues. There is an interesting surprise in store for the readers. The illustrations are very good. Great book and highly recommended! I received this book free from Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a review.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beginning reader/first chapter book. This series came out in the late 90's and early 2000's and is being brought back. I am happy to see it back again as both my boys loved this series when they started reading on their own.

[Marty Crosson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My almost-4-year-old daughter really enjoyed this as a bedtime readaloud. The book features lots of illustrations, a mild sense of suspense, and a multi-cultural cast of kids. It's short enough to read in one sitting.

[Karen Broughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this story, my little ones and i have been looking at space and i found this book quite by accident. we read it together and all enjoyed the story. we will definitely be reading more from the jigsaw series 😊

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! I hadn't read any Jigsaw Jones before, so I didn't know what to expect, but it reads like a classic detective novel, and it was so fun! Great for reluctant readers and budding detectives!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids loved it and want more!
It was one of their favorites they have read so far this year.

[Monica Hocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was of great interest to me. This book in the series is about space, astronauts and the unknown. Me waned to be an astronauts as a kid and it still intriguing to me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just received an advance review copy of this book from the author. I am so excited that the Jigsaw Jones series has been updated, and coming to readers again next August 2017!!

[Stephanie Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just received this ARC at my library conference. I was really excited to see the return of this fun early chapter series. Read with my 5-year old who said "I LOVED IT!" The ultimate recommendation!
How did I like it? It was cute. The kids in the book weren't completely realistic to me and I think kids definitely won't get the references to ET!! Also, this is silly, but it bothered me that in one part of the book the teacher says "I know we don't do much science in second grade..." WHAT??? What kind of crazy school doesn't do science in second grade??? Just seems that the author might be a little disconnected from modern curriculum and kids. Overall, a cute book. One of the best? Probably not, but a solid early-reader choice.