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Buddy Files #5
The Case of the Library Monster
"My Name is Buddy. I am a dog. I am also a detective." Buddy is in the school library and kids are taking turns reading with him. While Buddy listens to a ghost story, he hears rustling in the shelves behind him. He turns to look, but doesn't see anyone back there. He hears a book fall. Something smells strange. Not human…not canine, not like anything Buddy has ever smelled before. Could it maybe be the school ghost Buddy has heard so much about? When the child he's sitting with leaves, Buddy goes over to the shelves to investigate…and comes face to face with a mysterious creature that has a long, blue tongue. Buddy fans will cheer as their favorite dog detective solves another case with own great doggy style.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
36 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Dori Hillestad Butler
71 books138 followersDori Hillestad Butler is an American author of more than 40 children's books, as well as magazine stories, plays and educational materials. Her first book, The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off, was published in 1997. She is known particularly for The Truth about Truman School, a 2008 young adult title focusing on the subject of cyber bullying, and for My Mom's Having a Baby (illustrated by Carol Thompson), which in 2011 appeared on the American Library Association's list of most commonly challenged books in the United States for its portrayal of conception and childbirth. Her 2010 mystery title, Buddy Files: Case of the Last Boy, won the 2011 Edgar Award for the best juvenile mystery published in 2010. Before becoming a children's author, Butler worked for three years as a page at a library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 29, 2021
I red in Japanese....
March 8, 2013
Really good read aloud with my 2nd grade class. Buddy was an especially beloved character because our school counselor has a therapy dog that they can't get enough of. They totally related to Buddy.
March 23, 2020
From the first line of the book, my 7-year-old son and I were hooked! Ms. Butler's writing is delightful, suspenseful and fun. Mid-grade novels can tend to be formulaic and flat, but The Buddy Files really raised the bar for us! My 12-year-old daughter heard us talking about the book and she joined in the reading as well. A great book for reluctant readers, dog-lovers, kids who like mysteries, kids who like science, and parents who are tired of hearing the same flat stories over and over.
My son's favorite books are The Mouse and the Motorcycle series, and he's been looking for another animal book that measures up -- he's so excited to have discovered a whole new series to explore and love!
My son's favorite books are The Mouse and the Motorcycle series, and he's been looking for another animal book that measures up -- he's so excited to have discovered a whole new series to explore and love!
October 6, 2018
I read this cute chapter book mystery for my library system's annual Third Grade Reading Challenge. Having a golden retriever myself, I liked that the story is told from Buddy's point of view. He's actually quite like a child, so kids can identify with him. I'm curious to see how this book goes over with the third graders!
December 28, 2017
Buddy the therapy dog helps children who have difficulty reading by having them read to him. On the side he is an amateur detective. This time he thinks there is a ghost in the school so he investigates, with surprising results.
April 3, 2020
The Buddy files is a charming series of children's book and the main protagonist, Buddy the dog, is absolutely adorable. The story was cute but it seemed a little bit of a cliffhanger and I feel bad for Buddy because he felt ignored (I completely understand what that's like).
May 23, 2017
My 5yo son has lived the Buddy Files. Great entry into mysteries and chapter books. Plain fun for me too!
February 7, 2019
I read this with my 9 year old niece as part of her book club. It was very cute and I really enjoyed the story line of a dogs point of view.
September 4, 2021
I think that this is a great book for young kids! I love Buddy's personality and I think this was such a cute story.
December 19, 2016
The Case of the Library Monster is Book 5 in a chapter book series called The Buddy Files. Buddy is a therapy dog in an elementary school, and one of his jobs is to visit the library so kids can read to him. One morning, while he's listening to a student, he becomes distracted by an unfamiliar creature hiding in the stacks. After a reptile expert visits the school and one of the kids reads him a book about reptiles, Buddy comes to learn that the creature is actually a blue-tongued skink. But this information only leads to more questions. What is the skink doing in the school? Why is the key to the furnace room missing? What happened to the mice the reptile expert lost on his visit? Buddy is desperate to do some detective work, but it's not easy solving crime from the end of a leash, or from his pillow in Mom's office.
Many things impressed me about this book. I was really glad to realize that, while Buddy is able to communicate with other dogs, he is not a talking animal, and humans cannot understand him. This creates an inherent conflict in Buddy's stories, and an obstacle he must always work to overcome. If the humans can't understand him, they don't know when there's a case to crack, and can step in again and again to thwart his progress. I think kids are also really intrigued by the differences between animals and humans, and it's nice to see a book willing to consider the imaginative possibilities of those differences without giving the dog the ability to speak. The scenes where Buddy talks to his friend, Mouse in dog-speak, are also really entertaining. I love that Mouse is "just so big that when he talks, it sounds like yelling." That is exactly how big dogs sound!
Another thing I thought was great was the fact that this book essentially serves as an introduction to the mystery genre. As readers become more experienced, they become able to recognize the questions in a story without help. Mystery readers know what to expect from their favorite whodunits, and can usually recognize clues and suspects when they appear. New readers, though, are decoding these ideas for the first time, and Buddy's "notes" throughout the story help them keep the clues and information pertaining to the case organized in their minds. As the solution to the mystery draws nearer, kids might even find themselves solving the mystery a step or two ahead of Buddy, which builds their confidence as readers and detectives.
This book takes an ordinary setting, the school and the school library, and creates an exciting adventure within those boundaries. Kids will recognize their own schools and the teachers and other people who staff them, and they will enjoy seeing how a dog can figure into the school day. This was my first experience reading a book in this series, and I'm glad the Cybils process brought it to my attention. I enjoyed the story, and I think the book is perfect for readers easing into the world of chapter books.
Many things impressed me about this book. I was really glad to realize that, while Buddy is able to communicate with other dogs, he is not a talking animal, and humans cannot understand him. This creates an inherent conflict in Buddy's stories, and an obstacle he must always work to overcome. If the humans can't understand him, they don't know when there's a case to crack, and can step in again and again to thwart his progress. I think kids are also really intrigued by the differences between animals and humans, and it's nice to see a book willing to consider the imaginative possibilities of those differences without giving the dog the ability to speak. The scenes where Buddy talks to his friend, Mouse in dog-speak, are also really entertaining. I love that Mouse is "just so big that when he talks, it sounds like yelling." That is exactly how big dogs sound!
Another thing I thought was great was the fact that this book essentially serves as an introduction to the mystery genre. As readers become more experienced, they become able to recognize the questions in a story without help. Mystery readers know what to expect from their favorite whodunits, and can usually recognize clues and suspects when they appear. New readers, though, are decoding these ideas for the first time, and Buddy's "notes" throughout the story help them keep the clues and information pertaining to the case organized in their minds. As the solution to the mystery draws nearer, kids might even find themselves solving the mystery a step or two ahead of Buddy, which builds their confidence as readers and detectives.
This book takes an ordinary setting, the school and the school library, and creates an exciting adventure within those boundaries. Kids will recognize their own schools and the teachers and other people who staff them, and they will enjoy seeing how a dog can figure into the school day. This was my first experience reading a book in this series, and I'm glad the Cybils process brought it to my attention. I enjoyed the story, and I think the book is perfect for readers easing into the world of chapter books.
August 23, 2011
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Library Monster by Dori Hillestad Butler
One of Buddy's jobs as a therapy dog is to read books with the kids in the school library. One day he hears a noise in the bookshelves. He tries to get closer and comes face to face wtih a creature that has a blue tongue! What is it? And how did it get in the school?
This is the 5th book in The Buddy Files series. I have not read the other books, yet. I checked this one out because it's a library mystery.
What I liked about this book: I like the way the book is told from Buddy's point of view, but he's not a talking dog. He doesn't speak human. Being a big mystery fan, I like that Buddy is "on the case" trying to solve a mystery. Readers get to share Buddy's thought process as he tries to solve the mystery. It is very similar to KWL (what we Know, what we Want to know, and what we Learned). Buddy is a very likable character. Young readers will take to him instantly. This is a great series for students who like mysteries, dogs and enjoy stories in a school setting.
What I didn't like about the book: I loved the whole book, but I could feel Buddy's frustration as he tried to communicate with the adults. It was very frustrating that they kept ignoring his attempts to tell them something. I think the author meant for the reader to feel that frustration.
I really enjoyed this book and have already requested from the public library the other four books in the series. I have also added it to my wish list for the Endeavour library.
Recommended for 1st grade and 2nd grades as a classroom read a-loud, and for independent reading for 3rd grade and up.
AR Level: 3.1
Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5!
One of Buddy's jobs as a therapy dog is to read books with the kids in the school library. One day he hears a noise in the bookshelves. He tries to get closer and comes face to face wtih a creature that has a blue tongue! What is it? And how did it get in the school?
This is the 5th book in The Buddy Files series. I have not read the other books, yet. I checked this one out because it's a library mystery.
What I liked about this book: I like the way the book is told from Buddy's point of view, but he's not a talking dog. He doesn't speak human. Being a big mystery fan, I like that Buddy is "on the case" trying to solve a mystery. Readers get to share Buddy's thought process as he tries to solve the mystery. It is very similar to KWL (what we Know, what we Want to know, and what we Learned). Buddy is a very likable character. Young readers will take to him instantly. This is a great series for students who like mysteries, dogs and enjoy stories in a school setting.
What I didn't like about the book: I loved the whole book, but I could feel Buddy's frustration as he tried to communicate with the adults. It was very frustrating that they kept ignoring his attempts to tell them something. I think the author meant for the reader to feel that frustration.
I really enjoyed this book and have already requested from the public library the other four books in the series. I have also added it to my wish list for the Endeavour library.
Recommended for 1st grade and 2nd grades as a classroom read a-loud, and for independent reading for 3rd grade and up.
AR Level: 3.1
Mrs. Archer's rating: 5 of 5!
January 1, 2023
DAD SAYS
A great book for kids of all ages, and parents will love this book (and series) as well. Highly recommended!
*****
I read the entire Buddy Files series to my first daughter, and now my second daughter is into it - and I couldn’t be more pleased. This is a fantastic series.
It’s well-written, well-plotted, engaging to young and old, and having Buddy the dog narrate makes it funny and more engaging than if it was just a story about him. (Though I must say, some first-person animal stories simply don’t work well, in my estimation. But that’s not the case here.)
This probably isn’t the best book in the series, but it’s still very good and worth your time. This case is about, well, a library monster. Buddy is able to figure out what the monster is relatively early on, but the mysteries keep piling up, and he has to solve them all.
Hillestad Butler ties this relatively complicated plot together nicely, and kids and adults will be pleased by the ending.
If you’re looking for a cute book or a mystery book, definitely try this series. I recommend starting at Book 1, as there are things you’ll want to know about before picking up later books like this one.
A great book for kids of all ages, and parents will love this book (and series) as well. Highly recommended!
*****
I read the entire Buddy Files series to my first daughter, and now my second daughter is into it - and I couldn’t be more pleased. This is a fantastic series.
It’s well-written, well-plotted, engaging to young and old, and having Buddy the dog narrate makes it funny and more engaging than if it was just a story about him. (Though I must say, some first-person animal stories simply don’t work well, in my estimation. But that’s not the case here.)
This probably isn’t the best book in the series, but it’s still very good and worth your time. This case is about, well, a library monster. Buddy is able to figure out what the monster is relatively early on, but the mysteries keep piling up, and he has to solve them all.
Hillestad Butler ties this relatively complicated plot together nicely, and kids and adults will be pleased by the ending.
If you’re looking for a cute book or a mystery book, definitely try this series. I recommend starting at Book 1, as there are things you’ll want to know about before picking up later books like this one.
February 12, 2012
Feb. 2012 Book Fair selection
I love The Buddy Files series! All of these books are told in Buddy's voice - and Buddy is a dog! He likes to spell certain words, he certainly can't count or say double digit numbers correctly and he's easily distracted by food - especially since every food is his favorite!
In this book, Buddy is now a Therapy Dog at school where the kids get to practice reading to him. But he has a mystery to solve, there's a monster (also known as a blue-tongued skink) in the library! It's up to Buddy to find out what the skink is doing in the library, but first he has to find him!
Buddy fans will enjoy the latest installment in the series.
I love The Buddy Files series! All of these books are told in Buddy's voice - and Buddy is a dog! He likes to spell certain words, he certainly can't count or say double digit numbers correctly and he's easily distracted by food - especially since every food is his favorite!
In this book, Buddy is now a Therapy Dog at school where the kids get to practice reading to him. But he has a mystery to solve, there's a monster (also known as a blue-tongued skink) in the library! It's up to Buddy to find out what the skink is doing in the library, but first he has to find him!
Buddy fans will enjoy the latest installment in the series.
June 26, 2012
Sully's first formulaic mystery novel. It follows the usual pattern of the sleuth gathering information to solve a mystery. In this case, the sleuth is a dog, Buddy, who is limited by his dog-ness, & tension is created in his inability to access information from humans, or move about freely. Sully found the dog's accounting of time to be amusing, as well as his need to sniff everything. For me, it was fun to guide Sully through the dispensation of information, & to make note of things said or done that might contribute to solving the mystery. Sully rated it very high, & we've checked out another "Buddy Files" mystery from the library.
October 31, 2015
Library Catalog
Buddy is a detective who happens to be a dog. In this book, Buddy is trying to figure out if the school has a ghost, as strange things start occurring in the school’s library, where Buddy serves as a therapy dog. Buddy is on the case! (Spoiler alert--it turns out to be a blue-tongued skink that is responsible for the unusual occurrences.) There are six in the series so far.
Buddy is a detective who happens to be a dog. In this book, Buddy is trying to figure out if the school has a ghost, as strange things start occurring in the school’s library, where Buddy serves as a therapy dog. Buddy is on the case! (Spoiler alert--it turns out to be a blue-tongued skink that is responsible for the unusual occurrences.) There are six in the series so far.
March 31, 2015
On the one hand, this book probably has great appeal for kids, since it's told from the dog's point of view. On the other hand, it's a rather annoying voice, and I feel sympathy for parents that read this to their young ones. Imagine Doug from the movie "Up" narrating an entire story.
Review available at http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...
Review available at http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...
December 4, 2013
So far, I have only read this book out of the series. Its a wonderful book to read. It is also funny when Buddy says, "Elventy-Two minutes." Its a fake word, but that's what makes it funny. Buddy goes on a mission to find the library monster at the Four Lakes Elementary School. He finds out that it Maya's pet. But I forget what it is called. After reading this, it convinced me to read the other books. I am looking forward to reading them so I will look at some other reviews.
February 28, 2013
The storyline sounded fun and inviting. This is a mystery genre chapter book written for transitional readers-probably 4th to 6th grade. The main character is Buddy who is both alarmed and intrigued by some special visitors at his library. I only got through the second chapter since the story dragged and my daughter got bored. She's 10 and in 4th grade.
October 30, 2013
Lexile Measure 460L.
Buddy the dog detects a strange blue-tongued monster in the library at Four Lakes Elementary School. Buddy searches through the school to discover what this monster is. He ends up solving more than one mystery. This book will teach children some characteristics of reptiles.
It is great for 2nd grade and teaching about reptiles.
Buddy the dog detects a strange blue-tongued monster in the library at Four Lakes Elementary School. Buddy searches through the school to discover what this monster is. He ends up solving more than one mystery. This book will teach children some characteristics of reptiles.
It is great for 2nd grade and teaching about reptiles.
November 29, 2016
I quite liked how the author managed to bring other critters into the story, for a change. Typically, we only see other dogs or Cat with No Name. In this book, though, we meet a monster! Really a reptile with an interesting backstory. And while Buddy eventually solves the case, the humans are still in the dark about a lot of the details. :-D
August 4, 2012
I thought this book was so stupid. It started plots and didn't end them. But my son laughed all the way though it and it was easy to read out loud. He mostly liked it because the dog had so many favorite foods. Such a stupid book.
March 22, 2013
This is a chapter book for about a 3rd grader. It is part of a series. This is the only one that I've read. It is told from the perspective of a dog who is at a school. The story is cute and the book isn't too long (134 pages).
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April 22, 2013We read this story out loud chapter by chapter to my 1st graders, and the were all for it! We used this story to introduce writing mystery stories and students created their own mystery stories. A great, interesting story for students!
November 15, 2013
there's a lizard in the library and he stays with his owner there. he's trying to find the monster in the library which is really the lizard. they catch the escaped lizard and then nobody is afraid of the library anymore.
April 24, 2014
I've been reading books from this series with my 7yr old. She loves them and the way they "keep her guessing". I find them predictable of course but I love reading with her and I love that she enjoys them.
April 16, 2011
Clever dog detective story for beginning chapter book readers
July 18, 2011
Love the way the story is told in the dog's view point. Will use for the first and second grade book club.
July 26, 2011
I wish I had Buddy in the Glen Grove library! He could listen to kids read, check out noises, and solve mysteries!
September 2, 2011
I love this dog, love this series for kids.
June 20, 2012
Fun book- would be a great read aloud! It is a series book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews