Turkey Trouble on the National Mall

Capital Mysteries #14

by Ron Roy, Timothy Bush (Illustrations)

Every year, the president pardons one turkey for Thanksgiving. One. But KC and her best friend, Marshall, think one isn't enough! This year, they want to gather lots of turkeys to be spared. The night before the holiday, the turkeys are in a big flock on the National Mall waiting to be set free. The next morning, they're gone! Who would steal 117 Thanksgiving turkeys? KC and Marshall have to ruffle some feathers to find out!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Thanksgiving, Holiday, Chapter Books, Animals, Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Ron Roy has been writing books for children since 1974. He is the author of dozens of books, including the popular A to Z Mysteries®, Calendar Mysteries, and Capital Mysteries. When not working on a new book, Ron likes to teach tricks to his dog Pal, play poker with friends, travel, and read thrilling mystery books.

Reviews

[Karen F · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I don't really see us getting into this series though.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have really enjoyed reading the Capital Mysteries series by Ron Roy. We moved to the Washington DC area in 2010 and love that we are learning more about the various historic locations nearby. Our girls enjoy the exciting plots and I like that they are interested in seeing the places we read about.

This story has a bit of an 'animal rights' theme with KC starting a movement to have members of Congress pardon turkeys as well as the President. To add drama, there's a group protesting that turkeys should be used for food, not as pets. Makes for a bit of a strange story, but still interesting.

I liked that the story also features Mount Vernon, since we just visited there this summer with our girls. I would've liked to have had more information about George Washington's estate included in the story, but we did appreciate the author's note at the end.

Overall, it's a short and entertaining story and we enjoyed reading it together. It's a great read during Thanksgiving, although I will caution parents that it might bring up questions about the ethics of eating animals. We hope that there are more books published in this series soon!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever and fun story that will appeal to youngsters just starting out reading chapter books. In addition to presenting a humane perspective, the Capitol Mysteries books include factual information about the workings of the US Government.

KC, the President's stepdaughter, is inspired when she learns about the President's annual "pardoning" of a turkey--she wants to asks the members of Congress to "pardon" their turkeys, as well. Soon, the Capitol lawn is filled with gobbling birds bound for sanctuary--but then they disappear! Who is the turkey-napper?

This is a wonderful humane-minded little story that both kids and adults will enjoy, and it will hopefully inspire some learning and good discussions as well.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a transitional book. It is in the series Capital Mysteries. I really like how each book covers a different topic of something that goes on at the US capital. This book was about how each year the president pardons one turkey. This book is a fiction book. I like how the main character is the president's step- daughter because it is show that it is ok for the main character to be a female who can stand her own ground and does not have to be the stereo typical female. It was KC the president's step- daughter who found away to save more turkeys.I can see using this book in Lit. Circles closer to thanks giving.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. They think that one turkey is enough to pardon so they get some of the representatives to pardon their turkeys too, so they get 117 representatives to pardon their turkeys too and all get stolen. In France, there's some people who will pay $10 for one feather. There's this person (EET) (Eat every turkey) that they think is doing it, but then they think some turkey pizza are doing it. But really it's the people in France that have this hat shop in France.

[10TX · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to preview for my daughter.

I liked the factual section at the end.

The writing was standard for the genre (early chapter books) including the suspense level.

Some parents will object to the portion where the children intentionally put themselves in harms way. It's a fairly serious incident and not an age appropriate thing for the characters to do. In addition, the kid seems to run everything in the First Family-- she's in charge!

[Kaytee · Rating 4 out of 5]

kc wanted to send cloud her turkey to mount vernon but he was alone kc wanted friends for cloud so they made signs but nobody wanted to do it then the vice president came as the peaple saw her they made a crowd. when the turkeys were there they got stolen by someone then the theif was a guy that owed a store.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

when the president wants one turkey for something but KC wants all the turkeys to spare and then a second later on the back of the national mall is filled with turkeys and then the next day the turkeys are gone.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love these Capital Mysteries, and this, #14 in the series, is no exception!

This time, K.C. (and Marshall) have a plan to ask Congress to pardon their turkeys just as the President (K.C.'s step-dad) pardons the "national turkey". Check-out this book to see what happens next!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute Thanksgiving book to read with Lilly. She loved it!

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like mystery books. I also liked this book because I don't like turkeys.

[Mr.Zhou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last story of this series is not that interesting l, but still it's good enough.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. We follow KC and her friend Marshall. KC is the stepdaughter to the president and she suggests that instead of just pardoning 1 turkey at Thanksgiving, everyone from Congress pardons one. They end up with 117 turkeys on the national mall. They encounter some resistance with people who think turkeys should only be food, and then the turkeys get stolen. They work with the FBI to find the turkeys. Definitely suspend your disbelief but this was cute.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the books I've read by Ron Roy.

[Drakesax · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the best book ever and I love it. -Amelia.
Cause it’s the most exciting mystery ever.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK mystery involving life in Washington, D.C. and political figures.

[Shankar B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like when they were trying to get all the turkeys together.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly mystery all about turkeys and Thanksgiving but I liked it.

[Gina]

Finished 4/19/16

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay for an early chapter book. I had several students who just didn't follow parts of it. The French references were over the heads of the intended reader. The kids were naughty in dangerous ways. Not my favorite.