Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown

Cam Jansen Mysteries #7

by David A. Adler, Susanna Natti (Illustrator)

The Cam Jansen books are perfect for young readers who are making the transition to chapter books, and Cam is a spunky young heroine whom readers have loved for over two decades. Now the first ten books in the series have updated covers that bring new life to these perennial best-sellers. Old fans and new readers will love Cam's cool, modern look!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Juvenile, Audiobook, Middle Grade

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cam Jansen (real name: Jennifer Jansen) and her best friend Eric Shelton return in this seventh chapter-book mystery devoted to their crime-solving adventures. Taken to the circus by Cam's Aunt Molly, the pair discover that one of the clowns has been picking pockets, after Aunt Molly's wallet goes missing. How will they find the thief though, when he has taken off his makeup and costume...?

Originally published in 1983, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown is part of an extended series of simple mysteries intended for the beginning chapter-book reader. The eponymous Cam, so nicknamed because her photographic memory is reminiscent of a camera, once again uses her special skills to track down the guilty party. I read quite a few of these books as a girl, and am revisiting the series as part of a project to familiarize myself with fiction aimed at young readers just getting going with longer chapter-books, as opposed to early readers. Although I have fond memories of these books, and think that this one is as engagingly told as its predecessors, I was put off by the circus theme during my reread, and the mention of the animal acts. I may have been unaware of the fact when a child, but I now know that tigers jumping through flame and bears riding on roller-skates - both mentioned in the text - are feats that can only be produced through the application of grossly inhumane treatment. Given that this is so, I simply couldn't enjoy this installment of the series as I did the others.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

*Please Note that the following review is the general review on the Cam Jansen Mysteries *

I loved this series as a kid. I believe I was about 6 to 8 when I read these books and it would be the beginning of my love of mysteries. Cam Jansen, about 10 years old, uses her photographic memory to solve mysteries. They remind me of Agatha Christie novels but for children beginning to read chapter books. I would call these one step above the easy readers.

[Matt Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Cam Jansen book I ever read and it SUCKED me in!

[Lyle Willey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cam Jansen, The Mystery of the Circus Clown, David A. Adler

Category/genre- Easy Reader

Estimate of age of level of interest- Grades 3-6

Estimate reading level
• 3.9
• Lexile Measure: 590
• Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Level: L


Brief description
Cam is the nickname (short for camera) of a young super sleuth in a series of emergent reader mystery stories. In The Mystery of the Circus Clown, Cam, along with her Aunt Molly and friend, Eric, solve the mystery of a purse snatcher at the circus disguised as a clown using Cam's "photographic memory" and their super-sleuth skills.

Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book
Plot- Of prime importance in any work of fiction for children is the plot. Children ask first, "What happens? Is it a good story?" The plot is the plan of action; it tells what the characters do and what happens to them. (Huck p. 10)
Adler is able in a short space to develop a believable plot of missing purses being connected to the clowns and then moves the story through a sequence of events to solve the mystery. Young readers are easily engrossed but not confused by the events which all work out in the end. There is action and mystery along with trails that lead to nowhere.

Setting. The structure of a story includes both the construction of the plot and its setting. The setting may be in the past, the present, or the future. (Huck p. 10)
What makes the Cam Jansen stories timeless is the avoidance to settings that would date the story. With the exception of the reference to cameras going "click" (not a digital age thing), the stories could take place any time. In this story, the circus becomes the setting for the clown purse snatcher and circus activities form the setting for the story. The author not only builds on prior knowledge of the reader of the circus setting but also gives enough information for clear understanding for those readers that may have never experienced a circus.

In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
This is a great book for readers just beginning chapter books. The text is easy to understand and is large with limited words on each page. Illustrations create extra interest. The element of mystery and what happens next keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read on.

Awards, if any
• None

Links to published reviews

• None noted

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book by a librarian. I have never heard of this series before. I enjoyed this book. It had an exciting introduction that grabs the reader. However, I disliked that the title of the book gave away the mystery ending. I think children would love this series because the mystery is not too intense for them, but yet makes them feel that suspense. I would use this in my classroom to teach about morals about not taking things that don’t belong to you or maybe a lesson about the circus. This book was fun.

[Kristi Drillien · Rating 4 out of 5]

My now-adult son read some of the Cam Jansen books when he was young, and I remember him quite liking them. I had never read any, so this was my first Cam Jansen book. I have to say, I understand the appeal. Though this is written for kids, the mystery is engaging—not too easy or too hard. And Cam Jansen herself is an interesting character, with her quirk of making a camera sound whenever she wants to store or recall a memory (hence her nickname: "Cam," short for "Camera"). Set against the backdrop of a circus, this illustrated book would definitely be a fun early mystery for young readers.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a young child in the early 80s. I loved all of the Cam Jansen books, but this one was the most memorable for me. I've always loved mysteries, clowns, and the circus. It was suspenseful for me as a child trying to figure out who was the suspect. I read it over and over again. My daughter has read some of the Young Cam Jansen books, but is now ready for thess, and I am so excited to read them with her.

[Hayden Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam Jansen was such a smart and clever little girl, it honestly amazed me. I enjoyed reading her logic in solving who stole her Aunts and other women's wallets. She had a photographic memory and would say "click" every time she took a picture or was recalling a picture she took. It was quite cute. I would definitely reread this book and other books from this series and plan to have them in my future classroom!

[Chloe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: mystery chapter book
Grade Level: 2nd - 4th
This series is so much fun to read! It has great cliffhangers that makes readers want to read more and pick up the next book. The illustrations do a great job of not changing the story but complimenting the narrative and mystery of the characters. Such a fun beginning chapter book to read.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. There are clues you can follow along with to figure out "who dunnit". The main character has a photographic memory, so that was cool.

[Mr.Zhou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing memory again, good hero for Cam.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luisa: my favorite part was when they thought the hot dog man was the clown.

[Kinley Coplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Cam Jansen The Mystery of the Circus Clown. This story is an easy chapter read. It is also entertaining and would be good to share as a read aloud to make predictions about the story

[Naaman]

Jan 21

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cam and Eric realize a mysterious bumping clown is pick pocketing visitors when a circus comes to town. My daughter is really into mysteries and loves these Cam Jansen books.

[Avga Jupa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This movie is totally excellent.

[Mapeax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really fantastic

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this story with our girls was somewhat of an act of bravery for me because I HATE CLOWNS (shiver). Ever since I read It by Stephen King (and even worse, saw Tim Curry portraying Pennywise the clown on the made-for-tv miniseries), I have been petrified of clowns. I don't even want to take our girls to the circus, although I mainly will hide behind the veil of an animal rights protest in that case and not just my fear of the painted ones.

Now that my confession is behind me, I must admit that the story was entertaining. The solution was somewhat obvious, but otherwise, it was an engaging mystery and an exciting story, with a few clever plot twists, too. We enjoyed reading this story together and now I can return the book and get that hideous clown cover out of my house!

We have read almost all of the Cam Jansen books by David A. Adler and Susanna Natti and have really liked them.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a pickpocket at the circus! Aunt Molly had her wallet when she bought tickets, a circus program, and a spinning red and blue light. During intermission, she offers to buy Cam and Eric some ice cream or cotton candy, but she can’t find her wallet. Cam searching through the purse’s side pockets, and Eric looks on the floor. The wallet is gone. Aunt Molly goes back to the ticket booth, but it isn’t there. Meanwhile, Cam watches as a clown drops a coin and, then, bumps into two different people. The clown carries a large brown shopping bag over his arm. In the refreshment line, another woman is missing her wallet. Then, a woman is the next line can’t find hers either. Cam “sees” when the clown with the bag bumped into one of the woman. The clown’s hand went into her purse. Cam has identified the pickpocket. Now, she has to find the wallets!
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Anna J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown by David A. Adler is book number seven in the Cam Jansen Mystery series. This book is about a girl nicknamed “Cam” because of her ability to solve mysteries with her photographic memory. When Aunt Molly’s wallet goes missing at the circus, Cam Jansen must solve the case. This book is intended for third grade through fifth grade students, according to Scholastic. This is a short chapter book that will help introduce or reintroduce the mystery genre. This story will leave students pretending to be Cam Jansen and saying “click” as they quiz each other on their memory.

[Tara Geske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great beginner mystery book for elementary aged children. I used to read this series when I was younger and I really enjoyed them. They are not too long to have the students lose interest in them, but are long enough to have a good mystery. The kids can relate because it is a young girl and boy solving crimes. These books would introduce the idea of photographic memory. Maybe memory activities could be involved after you read these books.

[Victor Lam]

Ages 8 & Up • When Aunt Molly's wallet is stolen at the circus, Cam suspects that there's something not-too-funny going on under the big top. Is one of the clowns really a criminal?

[Liam Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in second grade and I saw it on my book shelf, and thought "what the heck I'll read it." It was action packed and a fun read! I would definitely recommend this book to a little kid (7 or 8). MUST READ.

[Shaylee Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so good for students who are starting to read chapter books. It is very simple to follow along. This book is very enjoyable with the mystery behind the circus clown and what clues they come across to solve the mystery. This is a great book for children! I highly recommend this!

[E]

Don't be selfish!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one from Jessi.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Cam Jansen book I ever read, but I loved it. I loved the idea of a photographic memory. Which I've never had.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a circus clown. It was a fat girl and he bumped into people and grabbed their money. It was dressed as a boy clown but it really was a girl.

[Sophie]

such a good book this one was prob the best!i love all these books. i have reed most of them. i hope you can reed it!!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cam Jansen books were my favorites in the 1st grade. I read this again to see how it held up and it was pretty decent.