Mystery of the Missing Luck
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Initial publish date
- May 2011
- Category
- General, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Asia
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781459806023
- Publish Date
- May 2011
- List Price
- $5.99
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781554693962
- Publish Date
- May 2011
- List Price
- $7.95
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 6 to 8
- Grade: 1 to 3
- Reading age: 6 to 8
Description
Sara loves her grandmother's bakery. It's a special place-not only because of its delicious Japanese buns and pastries. She enjoys spending time with her obaachan, her grandmother. But things aren't going well for the bakery. When the bakery's lucky cat statue goes missing, Sara wonders if the bakery's luck is gone for good. But then a mysterious cat appears in the backyard one night and inspires a plan. With the help of her friend, Jake, Sara just might find the statue and restore the bakery's lost luck.
About the authors
Jacqueline Pearce is the author of 12 books for children and teens. Her novels and nonfiction explore her fascination with local history, people, nature and animals, including Dog House Blues and The Truth About Rats, which were written for the BC SPCA Kids Club. Jacqueline has degrees in English literature and environmental studies. She has volunteered for the BC SPCA humane education program for many years and has both fostered and adopted many rescued animals with her family. She currently lives near Vancouver with her husband, daughter, dog and two cats.
Jacqueline Pearce's profile page
Leanne Franson spent her childhood winters in Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, building snow forts while her dad watched hockey games on TV. She was a really bad skater -- but she could draw really well! In 1991, after she finished her BFA in Montreal, she started illustrating books. Leanne is fluently bilingual and has worked on books in English and French, illustrating in total over 100 picture books, chapter books, and textbooks. In 2012, she and her teenage son Benn returned to Saskatchewan, where she draws and makes ceramics in her acreage studio.
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Commended, CCBC Best Books
Editorial Reviews
"Short chapters and nicely detailed pencil illustrations by Leanne Franson will definitely keep even reluctant readers turning pages. Recommended."
Resource Links
"A wonderfully warm and clever book...The chapters are short and fast-paced. There is suspense or mystery with a hint of magic...The story is a great introduction to many facets of Japanese culture, and the pictures reinforce the sense of immersion. Well done!"
Canadian Teacher
"[Has a] tightly focused plot, well supported by a manageable cast of characters...Will fit nicely into reading programs as well as offering newly independent readers [an] engaging option for first chapterbook reads."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Filled with numerous illustrations to aid the new chapter book reader. The main characters are well drawn."
BookLinx
"This ready-for-chapter books story is great for the young reader. Using a Japanese icon as the subject of the mystery was an ingenious concept as it pulls a multicultural aspect into the storyline. The simple plot and the humorous conclusion are well written...Another great addition for the elementary library."
Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON)
"This beginning chapter book ably portrays the two main characters and the bond between them. In a nicely handled subplot, an actual cat makes mysterious appearances and eventually leads to the finding of Maneki Neko...The mystery's resolution is far more realistic than one usually finds in books for young children. Readers new to chapter books will find this paperback, with its many full-page drawings, a good place to start."
Booklist
Librarian Reviews
Mystery of the Missing Luck
When Maneki Neko, the lucky cat statue, goes missing from her grandmother’s Japanese bakery, young Sara is very concerned. Convinced that finding it will reverse the dwindling customer base that threatens to close the business, Sara searches everywhere. She only sees a similarly marked live cat. She advertises a reward for the return of the statue, which results in a happy ending. This Orca Echoes title also provides opportunities as a read-aloud to supplement the experience with cultural objects to bring the story to life.Pearce has written a number of other books for children including The Reunion.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2011-2012.
Mystery of the Missing Luck (Orca Echoes)
Sara loves visiting the Sakura Bakery, not only because of the delicious Japanese buns and pastries but also because she loves to spend time with Obaachan, her grandmother. When Maneki Neko, a Japanese lucky cat statue, goes missing from the bakery, Sara devises a plan to get it back and help restore the bakery’s good fortune.Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. Fall, 2012.
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