King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code - by Dori Hillestad Butler (Paperback)

About the Book

The first in a new series featuring King, a lovable dog who helps his girl Kayla solve the mystery of who sent letters, written in code, to Kayla and her friend, Mason. Full color.

Book Synopsis

King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series.

King and Kayla receive a mysterious letter written in code. Mason received an almost identical letter. How can they crack the code?

Kayla notices that there aren't any vowels in most of the words; you can't write words without vowels. When she compares her letter to Mason's, only one word is different. Sensitive King notices that the letter smells like Jillian. Why would Jillian write them letters in code?

With simple, straightforward language and great verbal and visual humor, the King & Kayla series is perfect for newly independent readers. King and Kayla model excellent problem-solving skills, including working as a team, gathering facts, making lists, and evaluating evidence.

Review Quotes

"A perfect option for newly independent readers ready to start transitioning from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Transitional readers are always in demand, and this series is a worthy contribution to any collection serving brand-new readers." --School Library Journal

"Repetition both within and between books helps boost confidence in beginning readers, as do the generous, plot-reinforcing illustrations. . . Each book allows plenty of room for predictions and provides a glimpse into the great payoff reading can deliver" --The Horn Book Magazine

"The books deal with simple everyday mysteries that will be familiar to early readers. Language is direct, uses repetition, and includes challenging words in context. . . . King and Kayla will be a hit with early readers." --School Library Connection

About the Author

Dori Hillestad Butler has published magazine stories, educational materials, plays, book reviews, characters for a board game, and over sixty children's books. A two-time Geisel Honor Book winner for King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats and King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost Tooth, she has also been nominated for children's choice awards in nineteen different states and won the 2011 Edgar Award for the best juvenile mystery for Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy. She lives in Washington.